Online Master’s (MS) in Nutrition and Dietetics Degree
Grand Canyon University's (GCU) Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Dietetics provides bachelor’s degree holders with the additional knowledge and foundations of nutrition needed to advance their career and broaden their opportunities in the healthcare field. This online master's in nutrition prepares students to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
This online degree in nutrition and dietetics is offered through the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. Admission to this STEM program requires a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, nutritional sciences or dietetics, or a bachelor’s degree in any field with the successful completion of relevant college-level coursework. For further details on these admission requirements, please visit our graduate admissions page or search for the MS Nutrition and Dietetics program in the University Policy Handbook.
Learn To Help Diverse Communities Lead Healthier Lives
This online master’s in nutrition program is designed to enhance and build upon one’s existing knowledge of nutrition and prepare students for entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) careers in the dietetics profession one year post graduation. Graduates of this online degree in nutrition and dietetics will gain advanced understanding and competency around key topics in nutrition science, including:
- Behavioral science and counseling
- Medical nutrition therapy
- Food and nutrition management
- Community nutrition
- Leadership
Further, this dietetics degree online provides graduates with a broad range of applicable skills to be successful professionals in their field. These core competencies include effective communication, critical thinking, responsible leadership and global awareness.
As a Christian university, students at GCU will also learn about professional and ethical practices within the nutrition field, all presented through the lens of a Christian worldview.
MS in Nutrition and Dietetics Mission and Goals
If learning how to identify the strengths and weaknesses present in an individual’s diet with the overall goal aimed at helping people preserve their optimal lifetime health, GCU’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetics program may be right for you. See how GCU prepares you to support the health of communities and individuals.
Mission
GCU prepares graduates to become entry-level RDNs who are global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders, prepared for successful careers in food, nutrition and dietetics.
Goals
A master’s in nutrition and dietetics degree provides students with the knowledge, resources and tools needed to meet and exceed the following program goals:
- Goal #1: The program will prepare graduates to take the CDR credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists.
- Goal #2: Graduates will meet employer expectations as entry-level practitioners one year post graduations.
For more information regarding program objectives, please visit the program’s accreditation page.
Program outcomes data is available upon request.
Benefits of GCUs Online Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics Degree
As an online master’s in nutrition and dietetics degree student, you will have access to:
- A flexible online course schedule
- Supervised, in-person experiential learning hours throughout the program
- Highly qualified faculty and mentors with extensive knowledge and experience in nutrition and dietetics
- A nutrition and dietetics degree program that meets the high standards of ACEND accreditation
- Opportunities to learn and apply the latest practices and developments in nutrition science
As a graduate of this advanced online degree in nutrition and dietetics, you will be more capable and confident in your understanding of best practices and how to provide the best care in nutrition practice.
Study Modern Nutrition Science Concepts With a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and dietetics play a key role in supporting the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Throughout this MS in Nutrition and Dietetics program, students will apply evidence-based practice through hands-on experiential learning opportunities in a specific area of nutrition or dietetics.
Earning an MS in Nutrition and Dietetics at GCU requires 30 total credit hours and 1,000 hours of experiential learning. The online degree in nutrition and dietetics consists of eight classes, with most classes being eight weeks in length. Typically, the time to completion for this program is less than two years. The courses you will complete include:
- Introduction to Graduate Studies in Dietetics
- Behavioral Science and Counseling
- Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Applied Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Food and Nutrition Management
- Community Nutrition and Advocacy
- Leadership in Nutrition and Dietetics
At the conclusion of this program students are required to complete a capstone project. This practice allows students to build on the foundation of knowledge learned through the online degree in nutrition and dietetics program and apply their skills in a professional environment within the nutrition or dietetics field. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours based on ACEND program requirements.
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Start or Advance Your Career in Nutrition and Dietetics
Earning an MS in Nutrition and Dietetics degree can help open the door to a fulfilling career helping others lead healthier lives. Graduates of the online master’s in nutrition and dietetics degree will be prepared to pursue careers in a wide range of fields that utilize nutrition and dietetics principles. Following completion of this program, students are eligible to sit for the national exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Students are also encouraged to complete continuing education courses to develop further skills as nutrition professionals. As a RDN, continued education is required to maintain this credential.
As interest in health and wellness continues to grow among Americans, the demand for qualified registered dietitian nutritionists is also increasing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7,800 new jobs are estimated to open for dietitians and nutritionists from 2020 to 2030.1
Online Master’s (MS) in Nutrition and Dietetics Degree FAQs
While both nutritionists and dietitians focus on the application of nutritional sciences, there are differences between the two when it comes to legal restrictions of what they can do. To be a dietitian, you need to complete an ACEND-approved program and obtain a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. With this, they can become registered dietitians (RDs) and begin practicing. Nutritionists are much less regulated and do not have the credentials or academic background that a dietitian does. Depending on the state, nutritionists can practice with no prior degree or experience.
Because nutritionists are not as protected or regulated as dietitians, they may only need a proper license or certification to practice. This may vary state-by-state depending on requirements. Nutritionists may be able to practice without any previous degree or experience, while you would need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and proper certification to become a dietitian.
A nutrition and dietetics degree is heavily focused on various sciences, such as mental, physical and nutritional sciences. Those looking to pursue this major should be highly interested in the science behind nutrition and wellness, as well as the implementation of plans and strategies to improve overall health, both physically and mentally. A passion for these is key to success in the program.
The study of nutrition and dietetics provides foundational knowledge that is beneficial for any healthcare professional who works with patients on a regular basis, as it is directly related to overall wellness and bodily functions. Nurses especially may benefit from nutritional knowledge when educating patients on topics such as breastfeeding practices, diabetes, obesity or any other related healthcare concern.
This academy is the largest organization of nutrition and dietetics practitioners in the world. Its mission is to advance the nutrition and dietetics profession through research, advocacy and education. Academy members shape the public’s food choices to improve its overall health, as well as offer nutritional therapy services in various settings. The academy also makes itself known at government hearings, commenting on proposed regulations and putting out statements on food and nutrition concerns.2
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is based on September 2021, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dietitians and Nutritionists.
2 Retrieved from Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, About Us, in July 2022.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics in the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success and providing understanding of competency-based learning within the Future Education Model graduate program.
Course Description
This course provides advanced knowledge in client-centered counseling techniques and the foundation of behavioral science. The course reviews the basic tenants of motivational interviewing and provides opportunity for students to apply these skills to motivate behavior change. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours required. State licensure requirements can vary from state to state and may require additional requirements. Students must review and adhere to their state’s requirements.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the nutrition care process while developing a foundation for concepts of nutritional therapy in prevention and treatment of disease. It includes evidence-based practice of advanced therapies and patient management in nutrition support. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours required. State licensure requirements can vary from state to state and may require additional requirements. Students must review and adhere to their state’s requirements. Prerequisite: NSC-510.
Course Description
This course builds on the foundation of evidence-based practice in nutrition therapy for prevention and treatment of disease by providing experiential learning opportunities in professional settings. Students apply foundational knowledge to complete hands-on practice and implementation. Practicum/field experience hours: 200. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours required. State licensure requirements can vary from state to state and may require additional requirements. Students must review and adhere to their state’s requirements. Prerequisite: NSC 510, NSC 550.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of standardized methods of quantity food preparation, menu planning, and management practices in food and nutrition. It provides students with the opportunity to apply didactic skills and knowledge into practice through experiential learning opportunities. Practicum/field experience hours: 200. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours required. State licensure requirements can vary from state to state and may require additional requirements. Students must review and adhere to their state’s requirements.
Course Description
This course assesses the nutritional status of communities and populations. It identifies the nutrition professional's role in community-based nutrition intervention, development, and delivery of nutrition related policies, the understanding of cultural competence, and effective advocacy skills. Students apply foundational knowledge to complete hands-on practice and implementation. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours required. State licensure requirements can vary from state to state and may require additional requirements. Students must review and adhere to their state’s requirements.
Course Description
This course provides an exploration of leadership, management, and organization styles and behaviors within nutrition and dietetics. It examines the interaction between personal characteristics and organizational culture to equip students to develop leadership skills and strategies within the nutrition profession. Practicum/field experience hours: 50. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours required. State licensure requirements can vary from state to state and may require additional requirements. Students must review and adhere to their state’s requirements.
Course Description
This course requires students to build on the foundation of knowledge learned in the graduate program and apply evidence-based practice through hands-on experiential learning opportunities in a specified area of nutrition and dietetics. Students complete experiential learning hours to give them the hands-on experience they need to successfully enter the nutrition profession. Practicum/field experience hours: 250. Students must complete the minimum amount of hours required. State licensure requirements can vary from state to state and may require additional requirements. Students must review and adhere to their state’s requirements. Prerequisite: NSC 595, NSC 600, NSC 650.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.