Led by real-world practitioners, including dietitians and exercise scientists, this innovative nutrition degree provides you with a solid grounding in nutrition, metabolism, disease prevention, health promotion, and clinical behavior.
Increased attention on disease prevention through better dietary habits has heightened the demand for skilled nutrition professionals. In response, the College of Professional Studies has developed an online Master of Science in Applied Nutrition degree program. Designed to build on your existing clinical knowledge, this advanced program is open to individuals who hold undergraduate degrees in health science, dietetics, or a related area.
The program provides you with the opportunity to concentrate in one of four specialty areas: Obesity and Nutritional Health, Nutrition Education, Nutrition and Fitness, and Business and Entrepreneurship in Nutrition. Led by real-world practitioners, including dietitians, exercise scientists, and clinical psychologists, this innovative nutrition degree provides you with a solid grounding in nutrition, metabolism, disease prevention, health promotion, and clinical behavior. Complementing the core nutrition courses is the College’s renowned nutrition practicum that allows you to work directly with registered dietitians, fitness specialists, as well as other health professionals. After completing this degree, you will emerge with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the field of nutrition. (Disclaimer: this is not a registered dietitian program and a verification statement is not provided upon completion of the program.)
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Unique Features
- Choose from four degree concentrations
- Work directly with registered dietitians, fitness specialists, as well as other health professionals
- Online format allows working health professionals to advance their career while honing their knowledge and skills
- On average, students can complete this degree in less than two years
Program Objectives
By taking part in this highly focused nutrition degree program, you will increase your knowledge and aptitude through:
- Translating theory and current research into practice
- Examining the metabolism, physiological actions, and interrelationships of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water
- Exploring the application of nutrition principles in the treatment and prevention of diseases
- Studying varying techniques and methods used in nutritional research
- Investigating theories to facilitate the adoption of healthy behaviors
- Recognizing the complex factors that influence nutritional practices
Career Outlook
Heightened interest in health, wellness, and disease prevention has created more career options for nutrition professionals. To that end, according to the American Dietetic Association, demand for nutritional counseling, treatment, and education is on the rise—a result of greater emphasis on diet and nutrition, as well as a growing population that is living longer.
Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants must have completed the following:
- Two courses in chemistry
- Two courses in biology
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II
- General nutrition (or related) course
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Program Costs
Requirements
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): identifies your educational goals and expectations of the program; please be aware that the University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose
- Professional resume
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts (Official transcripts required at the time of admission)
- Two letters of recommendation: from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
- English Language Proficiency Proof: students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S, stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, or NU Global Exam scores
- Prerequisite coursework: applicants must have completed the following:
- Two courses in chemistry
- Two courses in biology
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II
- General nutrition (or related) course
Admissions Dates
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis, however we do recommend following the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term.
| Start Date: | Recommended Admissions Deadline: |
|---|---|
| July 9 | June 29 |
| Start Date: | Recommended Admissions Deadline: |
|---|---|
| September 17 | September 7 |
| October 29 | October 19 |
| Start Date: | Recommended Admissions Deadline: |
|---|---|
| January 7 | December 21 |
| February 19 | February 8 |
General Requirements
Note: NTR 6866 (Applied Research in Nutrition) is recommended as the last course taken.
Concentrations
Choose one from the following:
Required Courses
Nutrition Education Elective
Complete one of the following:
Required Courses
Nutrition and Fitness Elective
Complete one of the following:
Required Courses
Obesity and Nutritional Health Elective
Complete one of the following:
Northeastern's signature experiential learning model combines academics with professional practice to help students acquire relevant, real-world skills they can apply to their desired industry. Each program offers its own unique experiential learning opportunities, but they might include:
- Experiential Learning at Work — Working professionals collaborate with their employer to develop a project that addresses a key business need their company has in an area they want familiarity with.
- Experiential Network (XN) — Students work virtually with a sponsoring organization on a short-term project over a six-week period.
- Full-Time Co-op Opportunities — Students on co-op work in a paid position in their field of study for three to six months.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and in fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors, and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 245,000 alumni and 3,200+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global NGOs. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional campuses further foster that lifelong global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our Nursing & Healthcare alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
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Where They Work
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Boston Medical Center
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What They Do
- Healthcare Services
- Business Development
- Education
- Community and Social Services
- Operations
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What They're Skilled At
- Healthcare
- Nursing
- Hospitals
- Patient Safety
- Healthcare Management
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.