Online Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics Degree

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Overview

Prepare for the CDR Exam To Become an RDN

Grand Canyon University's Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Dietetics is designed for bachelor’s degree holders who would like to position themselves for possible career advancement in the healthcare field. Offered through the College of Natural Sciences, this degree focuses on building upon your existing undergraduate credentials in nutrition and dietetics, while helping you prepare to seek career opportunities in the dietetics profession, such as by becoming an RD or RDN.

This online master’s in nutrition and dietetics program may be right for you if you’re motivated to help people optimize their overall health by developing personalized nutrition plans based on sound scientific principles. At GCU, you can prepare to support the health of communities and individuals.

A nutritionist studying at the table while eating an apple.
Why GCU

Benefits of Taking Nutrition and Dietetics Courses at GCU

The instructors in this program strive to prepare you to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination, which is required to become a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).1

As a graduate of this program, you have the opportunity to become more capable and confident in nutrition science best practices and strategies for providing exemplary wellness services. As a Christian university, GCU also teaches students about professional and ethical practices within the nutrition field, all presented through the lens of a Christian worldview.

Portrait of grilled chicken salad with vegetables in bowl on table

Program Mission and Goals

The master's in nutrition and dietetics degree aims to deliver a specialized education that can help you prepare to become a leader in the fields of food, nutrition and dietetics. Through an evidence-based curriculum and emphasis on ethical practices, you are taught how to address complex challenges in these disciplines, contributing to advancements in nutritional science, public health and clinical practice. 

Our program is committed to fostering a community of lifelong learners who will drive innovation and positively impact the health and well-being of individuals and populations worldwide.

The MS in Nutrition and Dietetics is designed to meet and exceed the following program goals:

Goal #1

The program can prepare graduates to take the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. See objectives.

Goal #2

Graduates can meet employer expectations as entry-level practitioners one year past graduation. See objectives.

Young son watches mom using laptop on couch for online master’s degree

Earn Your Degree Online With Flexibility

As an online master’s in nutrition and dietetics student, you will have access to:

  • A flexible, online course schedule
  • Supervised, in-person experiential learning hours throughout the program
  • Guidance from faculty and mentors who possess knowledge and experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics
  • A degree program that meets the high standards of ACEND accreditation
  • Opportunities to apply the latest practices and developments in nutrition science

Admission Requirements

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. Learn more about graduate admission requirements for this program at GCU.

Coursework

Nutrition and Dietetics Course Topics

Nutrition and dietetics play a key role in supporting the health and well-being of individuals and communities.2 Throughout this program, you will have the opportunity to apply evidence-based practices through hands-on experiential learning opportunities in a specific area of nutrition or dietetics.

This master’s in nutrition and dietetics teaches key topics in nutrition science, including:

  • Advanced concepts and theories in dietetics, with an emphasis on the use of nutritional therapy for the prevention, treatment and management of disease
  • Behavioral science principles that speak to the influences on human behavior in the context of diet and nutrition
  • Personalized nutrition interventions for patients with specific medical needs
  • Evidence-based practices in medical nutrition therapy for various medical conditions
  • Nutrition-related policies and procedures, including food safety and quality
  • Nutritional needs of diverse populations in community settings
  • Leadership skills in nutrition-related settings
A nutritionist in the kitchen drinking a green juice and studying on laptop.

Skills You Will Be Taught

This master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics can provide you with the opportunity to explore core competencies specific to the dietetics field, as well as gain transferrable skills.

These competencies include:

Scientific principles

Nutritional interventions

Effective communication

Critical thinking

Responsible leadership

Global awareness

Program Requirements

Earning an online master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics at GCU requires 30 credit hours and 1,000 hours of experiential learning. The online degree consists of eight classes, with most classes being 12 weeks in length.

At the conclusion of this program, you will be required to complete a capstone project. This allows you to apply nutrition and dietetics best practices in a professional environment. You must complete the minimum amount of hours based on ACEND program requirements to participate in this project.

Woman earning MS in Nutrition and Dietetics online while at beach
Careers

Career Paths With a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Earning an MS in Nutrition and Dietetics can help you pursue a career helping others lead healthier lives. Graduates of this program may have the opportunity to pursue careers in a range of fields and settings that touch upon nutrition and dietetics principles. Following the completion of this program, you may be eligible to sit for the national exam to become an RD or RDN.

Possible careers in nutrition and dietetics that graduates of this program can consider include:

Dietitian

Nutritionist

Registered dietetic technician

6,100

Estimated number of new jobs expected to open for dietitians and nutritionists from 2023 to 20333

Possible Work Environments

Dietitians and nutritionists typically work in settings that conduct food and nutrition management.

These settings may include:4

Hospitals

Nursing homes

Outpatient care centers

State and local government agencies

Accreditation

Earn Your Degree From an Institutionally Accredited University

GCU is an institutionally accredited university that prioritizes quality education. For more information regarding program objectives and further details on admission requirements, please visit our graduate admissions page or review the details for the MS Nutrition and Dietetics program in the Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Student Handbook found on the program’s accreditation page.5

For information on estimated student program costs, academic and program calendars, application and admission requirements, graduation and completion criteria, experiential learning expectations, distance education components, and financial aid availability, please refer to our MS in Nutrition and Dietetics Student Handbook.

Our graduate program in nutrition and dietetics is a candidacy program seeking accreditation by:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995 

Phone: (312) 899-0040 x5400
Email: acend@eatright.org
Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

FAQ

Online Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics FAQs

Whether you are a working professional looking to expand your career opportunities or a recent graduate seeking to specialize in nutrition and dietetics, we’ve gathered a few frequently asked questions and answers to help you reflect upon your career path options.

Male RDN professional volunteering at community food drive event

Make an Impact in Your Community

Prepare to make a positive difference in the health of individuals and communities by working toward becoming an RD or RDN. Apply today to enroll in GCU’s master’s in nutrition and dietetics program.

Apply Now

1 Commission on Dietetic Registration. (n.d.). Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Certification. Retrieved Sept. 28, 2023.

2 Ghani, S. (2023, Aug. 17). 14 Careers in Nutrition and Food Science (with FAQs). Indeed. Retrieved Sept. 28, 2023.

3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective Sept. 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dietitians and Nutritionists, retrieved on Nov. 26, 2024.

4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 28, 2023. 

5 Program outcomes data is available upon request.

6 Ford, D. (n.d.). Registered Dietitian vs. Nutritionist – Unraveling What’s the Difference. NutritionED.org. Retrieved Sept. 28, 2023.

7 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become a Dietitian or Nutritionist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 28, 2023.

8 Ernstmeyer, K. and Christman, E. (2021). Nutrition Introduction. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved Sept. 28, 2023.

9 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (n.d.). About the Academy. Eat Right PRO. Retrieved Sept. 28, 2023.

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