Careers in nutrition are expected to grow by eight percent through 2029. As a result, students interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Nutrition can look forward to various programs and educational paths that will reveal the diverse professions that fall under this degree.
Let’s face it. Food plays a powerful role in our lives. Food has the ability to help us improve and maintain our health, not to mention the role it plays in preventing many different diseases and disorders. As a result, it’s a good idea to consider possible careers within the field of nutrition to help you determine what field of study you’d be most interested in. Because nutrition affords people many different career opportunities, you will need to do your research and fine-tune your area of interest. This will help you to choose a program that is best suited for you and your interests. You will also need to consider the price and other details about your school of choice.
Top 5 Masters in Nutrition
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tufts University | Medford, MA |
| 2 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA |
| 3 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL |
| 4 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN |
| 5 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH |
As a general rule of thumb, the admission acceptance rate and graduation rate should be areas of focus when deciding on a school, in addition to other factors. There’s never been a better time to be part of the pursuit of nutrition-based careers and research. We’re here to assist by guiding the education process as well as other vital pieces of information about various schools and programs. There’s bound to be a school suited for you and your career aspirations in nutrition.
Many programs cater to diverse career goals and within the field of nutrition. Program websites will help you find important information and programs that will help you to make a choice.
Best 10 Masters in Nutrition
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university founded in 1852. The school was founded by Christian Universalists who wanted to break away and create a nonsectarian college. The Friedman School of Nutrition Science rests heavily on research, community-based programs, and education. Tuft’s Master of Nutrition Science program is a two-year program comprised of ten courses. The course load includes seven required courses, a thesis, and two electives. Students are taught by expert, world-renowned researchers, and teachers.
- Accreditation: Tufts University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and its accreditation includes the entire institution.
School Overview
University of California-Davis
UC Davis boasts state-of-the-art research facilities and laboratories. The school also provides collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula for professional research. UC Davis’s MS in Nutritional Biology is a flexible 30-credit program with versatility in course selection. Students have a thesis requirement and one seminar course. Students work with a graduate advisor to create an academic plan based on their interests in the nutrition field. Students also have the option of a terminal degree program with a non-thesis option. This plan is composed of 36 credits of coursework and a comprehensive exam. There is an emphasis on biotechnology, International and Community Nutrition.
- Accreditation: The University of California, Davis, is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education.
School Overview
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was voted by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 50 national universities in the US. Students can pursue a Master of Science in Nutritional Science with an interdisciplinary program focused on research opportunities and personalized study plans. This 32-credit program includes both required and elective courses. It also includes a thesis and non-thesis option with an oral exam. Students also have the option to explore the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited graduate dietetic internship program. This course path includes graduate course requirements and a dietetic clinical internship. Qualified students also have a dual degree option.
- Accreditation: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a land-grant public research university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
School Overview
Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue University graduate students train with a faculty mentor to earn either a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree. Students choose their preferred area of training select training groups. The average time for students to complete the Masters of Nutrition program is between 1.8 and three years. The MS in Nutrition Science is a 30-credit program that offers flexibility and personalization in course selection. Graduate students have required core content as well as skill-building requirements. Students work with a faculty advisor to create a curriculum designed for their professional goals. Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree areas of concentration includes Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition, Animal Health, Growth and Development, Population Nutrition and Health Promotion, and Human and Clinical Nutrition.
- Accreditation: Purdue University has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) since 1913.
School Overview
Ohio State University-Main Campus
The Ohio State University-Main Campus is a public land-grant research university. It is the ninth university in Ohio and was originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The university is nationally-ranked for public research and one of the largest in the country by student population. An internationally-renowned faculty make Ohio State a stand-out university. Ohio State’s MS in Human Nutrition is a 30-credit program with eight courses, electives, and a thesis. Students are required to take five core courses and three research courses. Students work closely with researchers specializing in nutrition and related health disciplines and have opportunities for field training. Students will study focal areas of research which include Food Science, Nutrition Counseling, Global Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Macronutrient/ Micronutrient Metabolism.
- Accreditation: The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This institutional accrediting agency is approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
School Overview
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a land-grant and top public research university. UMN’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Nutrition for graduate students. Students are taught by expert teachers and nutrition scholars. Students receive training to work in a variety of fields from research, teaching, and nutrition-related positions in government. Other nutrition-related positions include healthcare facilities. Nutrition students have a curriculum that has a focus on areas in Nutritional Biochemistry, genetics, and physiology. The Master of Science in Nutrition is a 30-credit program. This program features four core courses. Students are also required to take electives and complete a thesis/research project. Students can also get work experience through an ACEND-approved UMN Dietetic Internship. Master’s students can also gain teaching experience from the university. Students can also finish additional graduate credits to become a Registered Dietitian.
- Accreditation: The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
School Overview
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut is a public land-grant research university founded in 1881. The University of Connecticut’s MS in Nutrition Sciences is associated with other departments throughout the university and has collaborative programs with other institutions. The MS in Nutrition Sciences is a 30-credit program that includes both a thesis and non-thesis option for students interested in a terminal degree in Nutrition. Students have the chance to explore various relevant areas of nutrition. Graduate students can choose between three areas of interest which include Community Nutrition, Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition, and Human Nutrition and Metabolism.
- Accreditation: The University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
School Overview
University of Florida
The University of Florida is ranked in the top 10 of U.S. public universities. It’s also a public land-grant research university. The University of Florida’s MS in Food Science and Human Nutrition is a 30-credit program. This program incorporates six research credits and 24-course credits. Students have four-course requirements that include epidemiology, biochemistry, medical sciences, and animal science. Students can design their degree to fit their career aspirations through several areas of studies. These areas of focus include Human Nutrition, Food Technology, Food Processing, Food Microbiology, and Molecular and Cellular Nutrition and Metabolomics.
- Accreditation: The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, education specialist, and doctoral degrees.
School Overview
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public land-grant research university and the official state university of Wisconsin. It’s also the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin. U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Wisconsin-Madison among the top 50 national universities in the country With a strong focus on biological sciences. UW-Madison has one of the largest biological science research communities in the world. UW-Madison’s Department of Nutritional Sciences offers a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences with a choice between two focus areas. Areas of focus in the student curriculum encompass Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition and Human Nutrition.
This 30-credit program allows students to create a degree program within their areas of interest. Students are also required to complete a research-based thesis. Students are can also pursue assistantships. UW-Madison also offers an online MS in Clinical Nutrition.
- Accreditation: The University of Wisconsin–Madison is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission for 10 years through the accreditor for post-secondary education institutions.
School Overview
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a public research university. Rutgers University offers a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences with a multidisciplinary focus on the field of nutrition paired with a chosen area of specialization. Students are offered research mentorships conducted by faculty from Rutgers. Students can choose between three areas of focus which include Applied and Community Nutrition, Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology, and Dietetics. Rutger’s MS in Nutritional Science is a 30-credit program with an emphasis on nutritional sciences. Other related topics, a research project, and a final thesis or dissertation are required for graduate students. The curriculum is geared toward students who want a Ph.D. in nutritional sciences and related fields. U.S. News and World Report rank Rutgers among the top 75 national universities in the country.
- Accreditation: Rutgers is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The MSCHE is a peer-based membership association that encourages and promotes standards of excellence and improvement in higher education.
School Overview
Students who wish to pursue a Masters’s in Nutrition should focus on several areas when it comes to selecting a school. Most of us understand that pursuing a second degree can be a pricey investment. As a result, most of us place some emphasis on how affordable pursuing a degree will be. IN addition to a program’s curriculum, ranking, and accolades, students should also consider how feasible paying for a second degree will be for them. Ideally, most of us want the opportunity to pursue a degree at a credible school without breaking the bank. Most of us also want to attend a school with a high admissions acceptance rate as well as a high graduation rate. Both speak volumes about a school’s support systems, programs, and opportunities. Schools that boast a high graduation rate attest to effective support systems and beneficial programs that guide students from the start to the finish of their post-secondary educational career. If you have questions about which school may be best suited for you as you pursue your Master in Nutrition, give us a call. We’re here to provide education and guide the process.
For more programs, check out our Masters in Dietetics program page.
