The Master of Science degree in Nutritional Science is an individualized program designed to develop specialized professional competence in the selected areas of dietetics, nutrition, and food science, while also providing an opportunity to delve into related areas. The program is designed to prepare students for positions as public health nutritionists, supervisors in dietetics and food production and service, or doctoral study in nutrition and dietetics.

Admission to the Program

Graduate degree applicants must meet the university requirements for admission, which include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants are only considered for Fall admissions. To be admitted into the Master of Science degree program in Nutritional Science, applicants must also meet the following:

1. Grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted. A GPA calculation sheet is required.
2. Two letters of recommendation.
3. Statement of professional and research goals. Instructions are provided on the supplemental application.
4. Current resume with work and related volunteer activities listed.
5. Completion of the following prerequisites.  Students who have a verification statement or are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists do not need to satisfy the following prerequisites.BIOL 2030 - Human Anatomy  

• BIOL 2030 - Human Anatomy [4]
• BIOL 2040 - Human Physiology [4]
• CHEM 1010 - Fundamentals of Chemistry [4] or CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry 1 [4]*
• CHEM 1020 - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry [4] or CHEM 2200 - Organic Chemistry 1 [4] and CHEM 2201 - Organic Chemistry Lab 1 [1]*
• MICR 1010 - Introduction to Microbiology [3]
• NTRS 3170 - Introduction to Nutrition and Metabolism [3]
• NTRS 4170 - Advanced Nutrition I [3]
• NTRS 4175 - Advanced Nutrition II [3]

*Note: Students enrolled in the Research Option should take CHEM 1100, CHEM 2200, and CHEM 2201 instead of CHEM 1010 and CHEM 1020.

Students enrolled in the Research Option will also need to take the following courses as prereqs:

• CHEM 2211   - Organic Chemistry Lab II [1]
• CHEM 3200   - Organic Chemistry II [4]

Requirements for the Degree

A total of 30 or 40 units are required for the M.S. in Nutritional Science degree, of which 23 units are core requirements, 7 or 13 units are option-based requirements, and 0 or 4 units are required for the culminating experience

The program offers two options:

• Option 1: Option in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Option 2: Option in Nutrition Research

 Learning Outcomes    Roadmap (2019)