The online Master of Science in Nutrition at App State

The national conversation about health and wellness continues to grow as more and more seek out consumer-friendly, relevant and accurate information about nutrition and the food we eat.

App State’s Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition has two distinct concentrations that prepare you for a rewarding career in public health nutrition.

If you dream of becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/RDN) but do not have an undergraduate degree in dietetics, the Public Health Nutrition with Dietetics concentration is North Carolina’s only online graduate program that puts you on a pathway to become an RDN without already having an undergraduate degree in dietetics.

This concentration is designed to allow people from diverse backgrounds, with bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields, to earn their Master of Science in Nutrition and position themselves to become an RDN — without first going back to school for a nutrition-specific undergraduate degree.

If being a registered dietitian nutritionist isn’t your ultimate pursuit, our Public Health Nutrition concentration will help you develop an understanding of the relationship between nutrition and human health that you can use to start a new career or advance to higher levels in your current position.

More information on Nutrition

Degree details

Program information

Public Health Nutrition with Dietetics concentration

  • Completion time: Two years
  • Courses will be delivered in an asynchronous (with coursework completed on your schedule) format
  • Supervised experiential learning (SEL): 1,080 hours in clinical dietetics, community nutrition, and food systems management at rotation sites convenient to you
  • Assessment of Prior Learning: You may earn prior learning hours with professional work experience
  • RDN Credentialing Exam Preparatory Course: 100% pass rate on the RDN Exam within one year of program completion

Public Health Nutrition concentration

  • Completion time: Two years
  • Courses will be delivered in an asynchronous (with coursework completed on your schedule) format
  • Additional prerequisite courses (up to 6 hours) may be required if introductory nutrition and medical terminology courses are needed.

Concentrations

  • The Public Health Nutrition with Dietetics concentration is for those who want to become a RD/RDN but do not have an undergraduate degree in dietetics. Click for course information.
  • The Public Health Nutrition concentration is for those who are seeking up-to-date knowledge in food, wellness and public health. Click for course information.

(Not every course listed may be delivered to App State Online students, but you will be offered all courses required for the degree.)

Eligibility and application requirements

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Meet Graduate School admission criteria
  • Anyone pursuing the Public Health Nutrition with Dietetics concentration also must have the following prerequisites: 
    • Introduction to Psychology (3); Basic Food Science (3) (i.e. Principles of Foods); Nutrition and Health (3); Chemistry I (4) w/ Lab; Statistics (3); Human Anatomy and Physiology (4); Biological Concepts I (4); Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (4); Medical Terminology (1); and Food Safety course or ServSafe / Food Manager Certification

Admissions exam:

An admission exam is not required for this program.

Application Requirements:

  • Completed online application to the graduate school
  • Resume
  • Unofficial transcripts (or evaluated transcripts for degrees and coursework earned outside of the United States) should be uploaded showing any completed degrees and coursework.
    Note: Official transcripts will be required prior to enrolling.
  • Application fee
  • Three letters of reference pertaining to academic ability, professional competence and personal character

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