Master's Degree in Human Nutrition
In the M.S. in Human Nutrition program at OHSU, you’ll build a strong foundation in science and gain the practical skills to make an impact in clinical, research or community settings. Whether you want to work directly with patients, contribute to research or shape nutrition policy, this program prepares you for leadership.
Why earn your M.S. in Nutrition from OHSU?
- High-quality education. Study evidence-based nutrition science at Oregon’s only academic health center.
- Expert faculty. Study with experienced nutrition educators and researchers who bring real-world expertise and mentorship.
- Hands-on research. Complete a thesis or capstone project that goes beyond a paper, giving you skills to lead in your field.
- Career-ready skills. Build the knowledge and experience you need for roles in clinical care, research or nutrition education.
Program updates for students starting in 2027
If you are applying for 2026, the program will stay the same. We are applying for accreditation as a Graduate Program for 2027, and that process is underway. Please see the section below for details about this new accreditation.
Pre-candidate accreditation statement: Graduate Program
OHSU has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to open a new and innovative program to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in fall 2027.
Our eligibility application was accepted by ACEND* and we are in the candidacy process for our proposed Future Education Model Graduate Program. The program is not accepting applications at this time but will do so upon successful completion of the eligibility application process if the program receives candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND.
Contact us at gphn@ohsu.edu for more information.
*The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics. These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.
Scholarships available
OHSU offers a variety of scholarships that can help fund your education.
Admission and application requirements
Admissions requirements
To apply, you must:
- Be a registered dietitian, have completed a Dietetic Internship, or be on track to complete one before the program starts
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
How to apply
- Create an online account and select “MS Human Nutrition”
- Submit transcripts, a personal statement and three letters of recommendation
- Upload proof that you're a registered dietitian or have completed a Dietetic Internship
Tuition and scholarships
- Cost: $842 per credit for Oregon residents and non-residents. View full estimated costs, including living expenses, books, supplies and other education costs.
- Scholarships: Scholarships are available to help you fund your education, including program-specific awards and opportunities from outside organizations.
Degree requirements
You need 45 credits to earn your M.S. in Human Nutrition. This includes core courses, electives and a thesis or capstone project.
- Length: 18 months full-time or 2 years part-time
- GPA: 3.0 to graduate
M.S. in Human Nutrition student learning outcomes
At the end of the program, graduates of the M.S. in Human Nutrition program will be able to:
- Apply their advanced knowledge of nutrient metabolism to explain relationships between nutrient intake, indicators of nutritional status and health and disease.
- Utilize the Nutrition Focused Physical Examination to identify physical signs and symptoms of nutrition-related disease in patients and communicate these findings to the health care team using the Nutrition Care Process.
- Perform a thorough review of the nutrition-related scientific literature using library resources, evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews and other peer-reviewed material and critically analyze this material for scientific merit and cultural biases while applying the principles of social justice and equity.
- Develop a project to answer a nutrition-related question including problem identification, a review of existing literature, collection of data or conduction of a project, analysis of results and statement of conclusion.
- Disseminate research results or other scholarly work about nutrition-related topics to scientists, health care professionals and members of the general public using poster, oral presentation and written formats.
- Communicate effectively with clients, patients, peers, mentors, and collaborators in a professional and ethical manner that fosters a constructive and collaborative working environment for all.
Thesis and capstone projects
Explore the nutrition topics you care about most through your thesis or capstone project. You might focus on maternal and infant nutrition, community-based nutrition education, culinary medicine, or other areas that shape how people eat, live and thrive.
Examples of past projects:
- Exploring the impact of complex carbohydrate diets on pregnancy outcomes
- Studying the role of diet in preventing and managing chronic diseases
- Exploring how plant-based diets affect the gut microbiome
- Developing culturally responsive nutrition education for diverse communities
- Investigating how nutrition can support cancer survivorship
Sample class schedule
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| NUTN 505: Reading and Conferences | NUTN 505: Reading and Conferences | NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone |
| NUTN 508: Journal Club | NUTN 508: Journal Club | NUTN 505: Reading and Conferences |
| NUTN 529A: Nutritional Physiology | NUTN 527: Nutrition Epidemiology | NUTN 507: Seminar |
| NUTN 522: Antioxidant, Bone and Protein Metabolism | NUTN 529B: Nutritional Physiology | NUTN 514: Nutrition Research |
| NUTN ELECTIVE | NUTN ELECTIVE |
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone | NUTN 505: Reading and Conferences | NUTN 505: Reading and Conferences | NUTN 505: Reading and Conferences |
| BSTA 525: Intro to Biostatistics | NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone | NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone | NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone |
| NUTN ELECTIVE | NUTN ELECTIVE | NUTN ELECTIVE |
Class descriptions
| Course title | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUTN 503: Thesis or NUTN 506: Capstone | Prepares you for your thesis or capstone research. You’ll use key ideas from the program to pick a problem and develop your research question. | 6 |
| NUTN 505: Reading and Conferences | Engages students, faculty, preceptors and community members in an annual book club series focused on nutrition. Each year, the series features three books exploring issues in nutrition policy, ethics or history. Students work in small groups to host one discussion session by preparing questions, designing a flyer, marketing the event, inviting guest speakers and introducing the topic. | 2 |
| NUTN 507: Seminar | Focuses on a nutrition-related theme and builds skills in academic writing, presentation and peer review. Students write abstracts, develop learning objectives and deliver presentations using PowerPoint or another visual platform. Each student also hosts a session, offers peer feedback on abstracts and presentations and participates in group discussions. | 1 |
| NUTN 508: Journal Club | Journal club. | 2 |
| NUTN 514: Nutrition Research and Scientific Communication | Introduces students to nutrition-based research through guided team projects using NHANES cross-sectional data. Students identify a research question, review relevant literature, develop an analysis plan, conduct statistical analyses and draft a manuscript for publication. | 3 |
| NUTN 521: Energy Metabolism | Covers biochemical processes involved in energy production, including the digestion, absorption, transport, storage and metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Explores the roles of B vitamins and minerals in these pathways. Examines changes in energy balance during exercise, obesity and critical illness. | 3 |
| NUTN 522: Antioxidant, Bone, and Protein Metabolism | Examines protein structure, function and metabolism; nutrient effects on bone; and antioxidant functions. Focuses on nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin B6, biotin and key minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, boron, manganese and molybdenum. | 3 |
| NUTN 527: Nutritional Epidemiology | Introduces methods used in epidemiology with an emphasis on population-based nutrition research. Covers dietary assessment, energy adjustment, biomarker use, methodological challenges and the application of research findings to health policy. | 2 |
| NUTN 529 A/B: Nutritional Physiology | Explores core physiological concepts with a focus on nutrition. Covers systems including nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and immune, with attention to skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle and acid-base balance. Uses disease examples to illustrate how physiologic processes change across the lifespan. | 6 |
| BSTA 525: Introduction to Biostatistics | Covers statistical methods used in health sciences. Teaches data visualization, numerical summaries, probability, hypothesis testing and both parametric and non-parametric approaches. Emphasizes when and how to apply methods and interpret results. Includes computer-based applications using STATA. | 4 |
Electives
Students in the M.S. in Human Nutrition program can complete elective credits to reach the 45-credit degree requirement. Faculty offer electives nearly every term, with most courses available every other year. Options include motivational interviewing, nutrition for older adults, sports nutrition and more.
M.S. in Human Nutrition degree program FAQs
What can you do with a master's in Human Nutrition?
A master’s in Human Nutrition prepares you for a variety of careers, including:
- Clinical nutritionist leadership. Lead nutrition counseling in hospitals, clinics or private practice and take on leadership roles in clinical settings.
- Public health nutritionist. Lead community nutrition programs with government agencies or nonprofits to improve public health through nutrition.
- Nutrition researcher. Study nutrition and health outcomes at universities, research centers or in private companies to advance nutrition science.
- Health educator or nutrition instructor. Teach nutrition at the college level or run wellness programs in schools and communities to promote healthy habits.
- Nutrition consultant or product developer. Design nutrition-focused products, services or programs for food companies, startups or wellness brands.
- Policy or program analyst. Influence food and health policy or manage public nutrition initiatives to improve population health.
This degree can also prepare you for doctoral studies in nutrition, public health or health sciences.
How long does it take to earn an M.S. in Human Nutrition?
You can complete the program in 18 months if you study full-time, or two years if part-time.
Is a master’s degree in nutrition worth it?
A master's degree in nutrition can expand your skills and open the door to leadership roles, research and teaching. It can also help you advance in clinical settings or specialize in areas like sports or pediatric nutrition.
What is the highest paying job in nutrition?
Jobs with the highest pay in nutrition include clinical nutrition managers, nutrition directors and dietitians in private practice or corporate settings. You can also earn more with roles in research, teaching or policy.
What’s the difference between an M.S. in Human Nutrition and an M.S. in Food Systems and Society?
An M.S. in Human Nutrition focuses on the science of food and its impact on human health. This degree prepares you to work with individuals or communities to promote healthy eating habits, manage diet-related health issues and develop nutrition programs.
An M.S. in Food Systems and Society focuses on the broader issues affecting food systems, including social justice, policy, sustainability and the cultural impacts of food. It prepares you to address challenges such as food insecurity, climate change and equity within food systems.
While both degrees deal with food, an M.S. in Human Nutrition focuses on health and dietary practices and an M.S. in Food Systems and Society emphasizes systemic issues.
Earn your M.S. while completing a Dietetic Internship
If you want to become a registered dietitian OHSU's combined program lets you earn your M.S. in Human Nutrition and complete your Dietetic Internship at the same time, preparing you to sit for the RD exam.