Making a positive impact in nutrition requires empathy, compassion and a passion for health and wellness. But that’s not all it takes to succeed in a nutrition career, especially as many areas of the field are implementing stricter employment criteria. Your education matters, too.

If you want to pursue a career as a registered dietitian, a clinical nutritionist or another advanced role in the nutrition field, you’ll need a master’s in nutrition. Completing an accredited graduate program in nutrition is a great way to kick off your career.

In this guide, we explore what it takes to earn a master’s degree in nutrition, including admission requirements, specializations, common courses and popular career paths for graduates. Read on to learn more about this degree.

What Is a Master’s in Nutrition?

A master’s degree in nutrition is a graduate-level program that typically takes one to two years to complete. Students gain an advanced knowledge of human nutrition, including its molecular, biochemical and physiological aspects.

Specific coursework varies by institution but covers topics related to nutrition, health and research, such as biostatistics, metabolism and food science. Some programs may also require a seminar in nutrition, a master’s thesis or an internship to enhance students’ knowledge and qualifications.

A master’s in nutrition equips learners with an understanding of how food choices and nutrient metabolism affect overall health and well-being. The degree qualifies graduates to work in various nutrition and dietetics roles in both research and clinical settings.

Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Nutrition

Although specific requirements vary by institution, you must hold a bachelor’s degree to gain admission to a master’s in nutrition program. Majoring in a relevant discipline, such as food science or nutrition, at the undergraduate level is recommended but not necessary.

If your undergraduate major was unrelated to nutrition, you may have to complete foundational courses in topics like biology, chemistry, physiology and nutrition science before entering a master’s in nutrition program.

Other common admission requirements include:

• Minimum undergraduate GPA
• Letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Personal statement
• Interview

Specializations for a Master’s in Nutrition

Individuals pursuing a master’s in nutrition can choose from several specializations. While offerings vary among programs, common options include those listed below.

• Nutritional science: Designed for students interested in careers in scientific academia, government agencies or research institutes, and those interested in pursuing a doctoral degree
• Medical nutrition: Intended for aspiring healthcare professionals, as well as current medical professionals interested in applying nutritional sciences to healthcare
• Nutrition and human performance: Designed for students interested in becoming dietetics practitioners with a focus on evidence-based clinical applications of nutrition
• Nutrition education: Intended for those interested in designing nutrition-education programs, investigating the relationship between nutrition and disease, and planning public health initiatives

Common Courses in a Master’s in Nutrition Program

The specific classes you take may differ based on your chosen school and program. Here are some popular courses.

Life Cycle Nutrition

This class covers nutritional needs at various stages of development, from conception to adolescence and beyond. Students develop a solid grasp of the biological basis for nutrition requirements. They examine the implications of under-nourishment and over-nourishment, learning ways to address these issues.

Nutrition and Metabolism

This course focuses on essential vitamin and mineral requirements and metabolism. It covers how nutrient imbalances impact specific biochemical functions in the body. Students learn what amounts of specific nutrients are required to support metabolic pathways and how nutrients are digested and absorbed.

Vitamins and Minerals

In this course, learners study micronutrients’ role in maintaining human health at a cellular level. They broaden their knowledge of vitamins and minerals to identify potential applications in disease prevention.

Sports Nutrition

This class provides an overview of the specific nutrient needs of athletes, including the role of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats) in energy metabolism during training and recovery. Students learn about weight, body composition and guidelines for adequate nutrition for athletes.

Accreditation for Master’s in Nutrition

The Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics (ACEND®) is the accrediting agency for higher education programs that prepare students to become registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). ACEND evaluates the educational quality of nutrition and dietetics degree programs to determine accreditation status.

ACEND accredits more than 600 nutrition degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As of January 1, 2024, anyone aiming to become an RD or an RDN needs a master’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program.

Master’s in Nutrition vs. Master’s in Dietetics: What’s the Difference?

While both a master’s in nutrition and a master’s in dietetics focus on nutrition and prepare learners for careers in the field, there are important differences between the two degrees.

• Master’s in nutrition: This degree is geared toward nutrition science related to the biochemistry, physiology and metabolism of nutrients. While the degree involves conducting research and understanding the impact of nutrition on disease prevention, its focus is on understanding how food affects the body on a cellular level.
• Master’s in dietetics: This degree focuses on translating nutrition science into practical interventions to be applied to individuals or groups. These programs develop skills in areas like medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, food management and counseling techniques. In this program, students explore leading research and practices in the field, including supervised clinical experiences.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Nutrition?

Below we list several career options available in nutrition and show the necessary qualifications for each. Though not every job included here requires a master’s degree in nutrition, earning a master’s can open doors to higher-level positions and promote stronger earning potential.

We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale and Glassdoor in November 2023.

Certified Health Education Specialist

Median Annual Salary: $59,990
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in public health or a related field
Job Overview: Health educators develop and implement educational programs to address specific health issues, focusing on nutrition and disease prevention. They work in various settings, such as hospitals, schools, government agencies and community organizations. To earn certification, these professionals must pass the Certified Health Education Specialist® exam.

Registered Dietitian

Median Annual Salary: $66,450
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree in dietetics or a related field from an ACEND-accredited institution
Job Overview: Registered dietitians specialize in food and nutrition, providing personalized guidance and support to help their clients eat healthier. They used evidence-based practices to evaluate an individual’s nutritional needs, considering their medical history, lifestyle and health conditions. They may also develop customized meal plans, provide nutrition counseling and track their patient’s progress.

To become registered, dietitians must pass an exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Public Health Nutritionist

Median Annual Salary: Approximately $81,000
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree from an ACEND-accredited institution and passing score on CDR exam
Job Overview: Public health nutritionists advocate for healthy eating habits. They may conduct surveys and interviews and gather data to analyze their community’s nutritional needs. They then create programs to address concerns and improve nutrition. Public health nutritionists may target specific groups, such as pregnant people or adults with Type 2 diabetes. Their goal is to provide access to well-balanced food to prevent nutrition-related diseases.

Clinical Nutrition Manager

Average Annual Salary: Approximately $71,000
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences or a related field; master’s sometimes required
Job Overview: These healthcare professionals specialize in managing individuals’ nutritional needs in clinical settings, such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. They work with doctors and dietitians to ensure patients receive the nutrition required to support their treatment plans and specific medical conditions.

Food Scientist

Median Annual Salary: $79,860
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in food science or a related discipline; master’s sometimes required
Job Overview: A food scientist uses chemistry and biology to research potential ways to improve food production, including food products’ safety, quality and nutrient content. They may develop new products, improve existing ones, analyze food composition and create new processing methods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Earning a Master’s in Nutrition