Nutritional Science, MS
ASU Health - Clinical, Athletes, Dietician, Dietitian, Health, Nutrition, Nutrition Counselor, Nutritionist, Obesity Prevention, RD, Research, Sports, Weight Management, Wellness, approved for STEM-OPT extension, foods, medical
Do you want to be on the forefront of nutritional science and its intersection with food, biology, chemistry and sociology? Expand your skill base for a future career or further study with rigorous internships and research.
The Master of Science program in nutritional science prepares students to translate nutritional science into practice for human health and wellness. Partnered with accomplished faculty, students immerse themselves in the latest nutrition topics and research as they develop practical understanding through internship experiences and their own guided research.
Building on the scientific foundations of human nutrition, students learn strong writing and problem-solving skills and increase their interpretive expertise. The program offers students two specialized track options in sports nutrition and maternal-child health.
The sports nutrition track enables students to specialize in exercise science and the nutritional needs of athletes. Students in this track complete classes focusing on topics such as exercise physiology, hydration, electrolyte regulation and evaluation of sports supplements.
The maternal-child health track enables students to focus their learning on promoting the health and well-being of women and children. This track includes courses on policy and advocacy, communication and ethics, leadership development, and medical nutrition therapy.
Students who have completed an accredited didactic program in dietetics may also elect to apply to the ASU dietetic internship program to meet the requirements to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
College of Health Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours and a thesis - Maternal Child Health Track, or
30 credit hours and a thesis - Sports Nutrition Track, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (NTR 593)
Required Core (3 credit hours)
EXW 501 Research Statistics (3) or
NTR 502 Statistics in Research (3)
Restricted Electives (9 or 12 credit hours)
Open Electives or Required Track Courses (6 or 9 credit hours)
Research (3 credit hours)
NTR 500 Research Methods (3)
Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
NTR 593 Applied Project (6) or
NTR 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information
Tracks in sports nutrition and maternal-child health are available. Students should contact the academic unit for more information on track requirements and a list of approved elective courses.
This degree program may be pursued concurrently with the Arizona State University Dietetic Internship (MS-DI or MS-VA). Students must apply and be accepted to both the MS degree program and the internship program. Students who pursue the Veterans Affairs (MS-VA) Dietetic Internship are not eligible to pursue a track within the degree, but they may work with program faculty members to tailor electives to their interests and career goals.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree (nutrition or science is recommended) from a regionally accredited institution. Students who are pursuing the MS in nutritional science need to complete the following prerequisites: anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, general chemistry with lab, general nutrition for majors, organic chemistry with lab, and statistics.
If an applicant has completed a didactic program in dietetics (frequently termed a DPD), these prerequisites are considered complete. Prerequisite courses can be in progress when the student submits the application; however, if the student is accepted to the MS degree program, all prerequisites must be completed before the program begins in the fall semester.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- resume or curriculum vitae
- personal statement
- three references (academic or professional)
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The personal statement should include the following:
- a description of the applicant's significant professional responsibilities
- the applicant's professional goals and the reasons they wish to enroll in ASU's program
- the applicant's strengths that will enable their success in the program and in reaching their professional goals
- the applicant's personal research interests, described as specifically as possible and including any previous research experience, along with indication of any interest in being considered for the optional track in sports nutrition or maternal-child health
Contact information of three references is required. References are contacted via email to submit a letter of recommendation. At least one reference must be from an instructor at the applicant's undergraduate institution.
Finalists may be invited by the program to an interview.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 02/15 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Integrate knowledge of research design that incorporates ethical conduct in nutrition research studies.
- Apply statistical methodology in nutrition research.
- Interpret an emerging issue as it relates to advanced practice nutrition science.
Nutritional science applies the principles of food and nutrition to health. It is a vital, growing profession with many career possibilities. In this field, graduates share their knowledge of food and nutrition to help people make healthful food choices.
Graduates have gone on to:
- apply to medical and professional school to become medical doctors, physician assistants, pharmacists, dentists and other medical professions
- become registered dietitian nutritionists
- pursue academic doctorates
Industries that graduates can work in include:
- community and public health organizations
- corporations
- food manufacturing industries
- government agencies
- hospitals and other medical facilities
- long-term care facilities
- nonprofit organizations
- schools
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
College of Health Solutions
|
HLTHN 401AA
CHSGrad@asu.edu
602-496-3300
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
