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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.
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.
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.
As an online master’s in nutrition and dietetics student, you will have access to:
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.
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:
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
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.
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
Estimated number of new jobs expected to open for dietitians and nutritionists from 2023 to 20333
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
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
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
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.
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. As a nutritionist, you typically cannot diagnose or treat illnesses. Registered dietitians, in contrast, are qualified to provide nutritional therapy and counseling.6
Starting in 2024, you will be required to complete an ACEND-approved program and obtain a minimum of a graduate degree to become a registered dietitian. With this, you can work toward becoming a registered dietitian (RD) in accordance with your state’s licensing requirements, and begin practicing.7 Nutritionists are often less regulated and may not have the credentials or academic background that a dietitian does. Depending on the state, nutritionists may be able to practice with no prior degree or experience.6
The requirements for nutritionists vary by state, with some states and employers mandating a relevant bachelor’s degree or certification. Licensure might be necessary in certain states, and specialized areas like pediatrics or gerontology may require further qualifications.6
It's important to note the distinction: a nutritionist typically doesn't hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential that students pursue in this degree program. This credential sets apart dietitians who have met specific qualifications and standards, differentiating them from nutritionists.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that about 6,100 openings for dietitians and nutritionists are projected each year, on average, over the decade (from 2023 to 2033). Many of these openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.3
A master’s in nutrition and dietetics degree is heavily focused on various sciences, such as mental, physical and nutritional sciences. Those looking to pursue this major are typically 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. If you have a passion for these sciences, a nutrition and dietetics degree may be right for you.
The study of nutrition and dietetics provides foundational knowledge that can be 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 cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity or any other related healthcare concern.8
This Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the largest organization of nutrition and dietetics practitioners in the world. Its mission is to further the nutrition and dietetics profession through research, advocacy and education.9
The Academy strives to accomplish its mission through:9
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.
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.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
