M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program
Earn a graduate degree and complete the supervised practice you need to become a registered dietitian through OHSU’s ACEND-accredited coordinated program.
Why earn your M.S. in Nutrition from OHSU?
- High-quality education. Study evidence-based nutrition science and dietetics at Oregon’s only academic health center.
- Expert faculty. Study with experienced nutrition educators and researchers who bring real-world expertise and mentorship.
- Rotations arranged for you. OHSU handles your placements and preceptors, so you can focus on learning.
- Research and project development. 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, public health or nutrition education.
Scholarships available
OHSU offers a variety of scholarships that can help fund your education.
Helpful links
Admission and application requirements
Admissions requirements
To apply, you must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any field
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Meet one of these requirements:
- Have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)* or be on track to complete a DPD before the program starts
- Have completed prerequisite coursework
*A DPD is a set of undergraduate or graduate courses required before beginning a dietetic internship. Find a DPD in your area.
How to apply
Apply for early admission by Oct. 10 for a fall 2027 start. Final deadline: Jan. 10
- Create an online account through DICAS (Dietetic Centralized Application Services) and select “OHSU MS in Human Nutrition”
- Complete all sections of the DICAS application
- Answer all OHSU-specific program questions
- Submit three letters of recommendation
- Submit a personal statement
Find application details for international students.
Tuition and scholarships
- Cost: $858 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 54 credits to earn your M.S. in Human Nutrition. This includes core courses, electives, supervised practice, and a thesis or capstone project.
- Length: 2 years full-time
- GPA: 3.0 to graduate
- Supervised practice: Complete 1,014 supervised practice hours.
- Prior learning experience: The OHSU M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program does not grant credit for prior learning experience.
View the student handbook for information on:
- Estimated costs, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, typical charges for housing and any other program-specific costs
- Program academic calendar
- Graduation and program completion requirements
- Availability of financial aid and scholarships
- Distance education and technology requirements
View the M.S. in Human Nutrition student learning outcomes.
Once you complete the program you will receive a verification statement signed by the program director. After you finish all program requirements and officially receive your graduate degree, completion paperwork is sent to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This allows you to become eligible to take the registration exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
State licensure and state certification are entirely separate and distinct from registration or certification by the CDR. Information on Oregon state licensure can be found at the Health Licensing Office of Oregon website.
Program mission, goals and objectives
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Mission
The mission of the M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program is to:
- Educate future nutrition and dietetic professionals in the methods, implementation, and interpretation of nutrition science and its application in evidenced-based practice.
- Cultivate a passion to elevate the profession through innovation, discovery, collaboration and professional practice.
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Goal 1: To prepare graduates for competitive entry-level positions in the field of nutrition and dietetics, with the desire to gain and utilize specialty practice skills.
Objectives:
- At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 30 months (150% of the program length).
- At least 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 75% of employers will rate our graduates as either superior or above average in comparison to employees in similar positions of similar age, education, experience and responsibility.
- 25% of graduates will report that they have obtained or are working towards obtaining one or more specialty certification(s) from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, National Board of Nutrition Support Certification, National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators or other certification from an accredited professional organization within five years of graduation.
Goal 2: To prepare graduates for professional leadership opportunities and collaboration with colleagues, interprofessional teams and the public using evidence-based communication and practice.
Objectives:
- 25% of graduates will report that they have engaged in a leadership role in their place of employment within five years of graduation. Examples could include serving as a project lead, committee chair, task force member, spokesperson, trainer or manager.
- 50% of graduates will report involvement within a local, state, or national professional organization and/or volunteer organization within five years of graduation. Examples could include, but are not limited to, serving on a board of directors or conference planning committee, participating in nutrition advocacy events, serving as an item writer for the registration exam, or volunteering at a non-profit such as a food bank or faith-based organization.
- 50% of graduates will report that they have become a preceptor for one or more dietetic internship or graduate programs within five years of graduation.
Outcome data available upon request.
Prerequisite coursework
If you haven’t completed a DPD, fulfill the prerequisite coursework below before applying to the M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program.
- General chemistry: 2 semesters or 3 quarters, with or without lab
- Organic chemistry: 3-4 credits, with or without lab, or equivalent
- Biochemistry: 3-4 credits, with or without lab, or equivalent
- Anatomy and physiology: 2 semesters or 3 quarters, with lab
- Introduction to psychology, anthropology or sociology: Introduction to Psychology recommended, or equivalent
- Introduction to statistics: 3-4 credits, or equivalent
- Fundamentals of nutrition science or an equivalent course
- Food science with lab or an equivalent course
- Food service or food management or an equivalent course
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
All components of the M.S. in Human Nutrition, including courses and supervised practice, follow the OSHU academic calendar.
For detailed course descriptions, visit the OHSU course catalog.
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| NUTN 521: Energy Metabolism | NUTN 518A: Nutrition Research | NUTN 508: Journal Club |
| NUTN 523: Nutrition through the Lifecycle | NUTN 522: Antioxidant, Bone and Protein Metabolism | NUTN 516A: Nutrition Assessment |
| NUTN 529A: Nutritional Physiology | NUTN 529B: Nutritional Physiology | NUTN 518B: Nutrition Research |
| NUTN 534: Motivational Interview and Counseling in Healthcare |
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone | NUTN 501A: Academic Foundations | NUTN 501B: Transition to Clinical Nutrition | NUTN 501C: Transition to Professional Practice |
| NUTN 504: Supervised Practice | NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone | NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone | NUTN 503/506: Thesis or Capstone |
| NUTN 540: Sustainable and Equitable Global Food Systems | NUTN 504: Supervised Practice | NUTN 504: Supervised Practice | NUTN 504: Supervised Practice |
| NUTN 511: Medical Nutrition Therapy | NUTN 512: Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy | NUTN 507: Seminar |
Electives
Students in the M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program complete two elective credits.
M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program FAQs
What can you do with an M.S. in Human Nutrition?
OHSU's M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program prepares you to become a registered dietitian (RD). The two-year program combines graduate coursework with supervised practice, giving you the education and training you need to take the national RD exam after completing the program.
As an RD, you can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals and health systems, community and public health programs, schools, research organizations and private practice.
How long does the M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program take?
The M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program takes two years to complete. The program combines graduate coursework with supervised practice.
Does the M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program include a Dietetic Internship?
The Coordinated Program includes the supervised practice required to become a registered dietitian. You do not need to complete a separate Dietetic Internship after completing the program.
Do I need a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) to apply?
No. You can apply if you have completed a DPD or prerequisite coursework. You can also apply if you are on track to complete a DPD before the program starts.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) granted full accreditation to the M.S. in Human Nutrition Coordinated Program. The program’s accreditation expires Dec. 31, 2031. The ACEND board will conduct their next review in 2030.