MS in Nutrition Science
The online Master of Science in Nutrition Science degree program embraces a multidisciplinary approach, which lends so much to the quality and vitality of the program outcomes.
Through an interdisciplinary learning approach, the MS in Nutrition Science (MSNS) degree program will increase the body of knowledge in nutrition science to improve public health and health promotion for nutrition-associated disease management both in the US and globally.
With this advanced degree, students will be competitively positioned for research that bridges nutritional concerns. Graduates will also be well positioned for doctoral education, and will have demonstrated competencies in reading and synthesizing the published nutrition science literature, nutrition counseling, cultural competency, scholarly presentations, data analysis and interpretation, and writing for scholarly publication. Learn more about program outcomes.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently issued its first ever NIH-wide strategic plan for nutrition research that seeks cross-cutting, innovative opportunities to advance nutrition research across a wide range of areas to improve health and to prevent or combat diseases and conditions affected by nutrition. Penn Nursing’s Master of Science in Nutrition Science degree is perfectly designed to meet this need.
“The foundation of our new online MS in Nutrition Science program is built upon the University of Pennsylvania’s and Penn Nursing’s great stature in the clinical nutrition realms, dating from the research and development of intravenous nutrition at Penn in the late 1960s to current state-of-the-art research in omics-based nutrition, obesity, diabetes, and a full range of nutrition-associated diseases and conditions.”
Charlene Compher, PhD, RD
Professor of Nutrition Science
Director of Graduate Nutrition Programs
Program Outcomes
The career paths open to graduates of our online MS in Nutrition Science program will vary depending on their prior training.
- Acquire skills in communicating nutrition concepts and motivating clients for appropriate behavioral decisions and actions.
- Accumulate skills in scholarly writing and presentations to communicate scientific knowledge.
- Analyze outcomes research to make recommendations and develop strategies to reduce risks and improve patient care outcomes for a specific patients and health conditions.
- Integrate principles and strategies to design and deliver culturally relevant, effective health promotion and disease prevention education for individuals, families, communities, and health professionals.
- Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and consult with other nutrition science professionals in the design, coordination, and evaluation of human nutrition research.
- Evaluate and synthesize published research findings from the peer-reviewed nutrition science literature.
- Develop scholarly writing, peer review and presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge.
Who Should Apply to the MS in Nutrition Science Program?
- Dietitians in practice with a BS. Attaining the MS in Nutrition Science will be more competitive for career advancement, and likely salary increases, as the requirement for entry into dietetic practice by 2024 will be a MS degree.
- Students who come with a BA or BS in another subject will be competitive for positions in nutrition science-focused research or programs as project managers or project directors.
- Pre-health students, medical residents and fellows, physicians, pharmacists, veterinarians, clinical psychologists, and dentists in training will be more competitive for research and practice in areas with a heavy nutrition focus, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, surgery, gastrointestinal medicine, obesity management, and oncology.
- Students with graduate level public health, clinical epidemiology, translational science or bioethics training, in addition to the online MS in Nutrition Science, will be better positioned for research in their area that bridges nutritional concerns.
Why Choose Penn Nursing for Nutrition Science?
Penn Nursing has a lot to offer for a MS in a Nutrition Science degree. Students enrolled in our program will:
- Study nutrition through a multidisciplinary lens;
- Understand the science behind why nutrition is core to human health;
- Learn from leading experts in nursing, public health, and human behavior; and
- Access the network of resources only the University of Pennsylvania’s Ivy League institution can offer.
Program Modality
The MS in Nutrition Science program is asynchronous online.
Coursework
The program offers an efficient, 10 CU asynchronous online format with synchronous opportunities and virtual office hours. Instructors and faculty mentors guide students in their capstone project development and completion. Learn more about the curriculum.
Study Options
We offer full-time and part-time enrollment options for the MSNS program, which can be completed in 3-5 semesters.
Frequently Asked Questions
| What kinds of nutrition programs does the University of Pennsylvania offer? |
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The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing offers a master of science, graduate major, graduate minor, graduate certificate, and undergraduate major and undergraduate minor Nutrition program options. Students of Penn Nursing’s Nutrition program learn from leading experts in nursing, public health, and human behavior. |
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Will the MS in Nutrition Science program lead to a professional licensure? |
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The online MS in Nutrition Science is currently not designed to meet the requirements for professional licensure and would not be sought by individuals looking for an entry program to become registered dietitians. |
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Which graduate nutrition program is best? MS in Nutrition Science vs Graduate Nutrition Certificate? |
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Both graduate programs are designed for individuals holding an undergraduate degree who desire a more advanced education in nutrition science. The MS in Nutrition Science degree program is offered 100% online and opens up many career paths depending on their prior training. Graduates of the program will be well-positioned to advance their careers and will have access to a strong network of researchers and practice professionals in areas with a heavy nutrition focus, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthodontics, veterinary, surgery, gastrointestinal medicine, obesity management, and oncology. They will also be competitively positioned for research in their area that bridges nutritional concerns. In addition, graduates will demonstrate competencies in reading and synthesizing the published nutrition science literature, nutrition counseling, cultural competency, scholarly presentations, data analysis and interpretation, and writing for scholarly publication. Learn more about MSNS program outcomes. The Graduate Nutrition Certificate program expands opportunities for nutrition education to the graduate level and will enable you to certify basic knowledge of nutrition science, training that will be valuable for your own health and lifestyle management. |
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How long is the MS in Nutrition Science program? |
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The Penn Nursing online MS in Nutrition Science program can be completed in 3 semesters, 12 months, for full-time students and 5 semesters, 18 months, for part-times students. |
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International Compliance
The Master of Science in Nutrition Science degree program is offered by the University of Pennsylvania, an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees and certificates conferring academic credit under applicable laws of the United States. Students who are interested in participating in the program from countries other than the United States are advised that each jurisdiction may have its own laws and regulations governing online educational programs, and some jurisdictions may not recognize course credit or an online degree awarded by the University as satisfying local requirements for professional licensure, employment qualification, or other purposes. Before enrolling in this program, prospective students should investigate their jurisdiction’s treatment of foreign online programs to ensure that participation in this program will meet their objectives.