Nutrition (M.S.)

Nutrition (M.S.)
UNH nutrition graduate students

Elevate your educational training and experience in the field of nutrition with advanced coursework that enhances your knowledge, skills and confidence and prepares you to take the next step in your career.  Throughout the intensive, two-semester master’s degree in nutrition at UNH, you will receive focused guidance from experienced mentors, be challenged to think critically and gain experience in applied research and science communication.  

  Credit Hours: 32  |     Courses: 10  |     Program Length: 1 year


WHY GET YOUR MASTER’S DEGREE IN NUTRITION?

Earning a master’s degree demonstrates advanced understanding of nutrition science and the role of nutrition in human health. Our curriculum is designed to position students for employment opportunities in a variety of sectors (e.g., community nutrition, public policy, sales, higher education, government or non-profit, media/communications). This program also meets the needs of individuals seeking to increase their academic training for highly competitive programs (dietetic internships, medical school or other health professions).

WHY CHOOSE UNH FOR YOUR DEGREE?

This master’s degree in nutrition places emphasis on active participation in small class settings and is well-suited to students who seek a challenging but supportive environment. The curriculum includes experiential learning opportunities to build research, nutrition care, food system, epidemiology and communication skills to give students a strong foundation for work in a variety of clinical, community or research settings, or for further study in graduate or professional schools. The UNH nutrition program offers state-of-the-art assessment and teaching facilities including a simulation clinic and an applied research laboratory. Current UNH students considering a master’s degree in nutrition may qualify for our accelerated degree option. This allows students to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.

POTENTIAL CAREER AREAS

  • Community nutrition
  • Government agencies
  • Healthcare
  • Higher education
  • Industry
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Public health
  • Research
Contact

Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Affairs
Director | UNH in Italy
PRINCIPAL LECTURER
Phone: (603) 862-2547
Office: Agriculture, Nutrition, & Food Systems, Kendall Hall Rm 115, Durham, NH 03824
Contact
  • UNH alumni Jason Alme poses in front of stone wall
    Chose UNH for its reputation, stayed for quality and size of the classes, the opportunities to collaborate with students and the faculty commitment to teaching and mentorship
    Jason Alme earned his bachelor’s degree in Nutrition: Dietetics in 2022 and his master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences [now called Nutrition] in 2024.
    Learn More
  • UNH student Grace Tomann on the day she graduated with her master's degree in Nutrition
    A welcoming community and engaged faculty made the Nutrition M.S. program the perfect fit
    Grace Tomann ’23, ’24G earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and her master’s degree in nutrition from UNH. She is currently working as a clinical information manager and plans to apply medical school during the 2025-26 cycle. 
    Learn More
  • UNH alumna Katelyn Young on the day she graduated from the UNH Nutrition master's program
    A Program Aligned with Her Career Goals
    Katelyn Young ’23, ’24G earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition: dietetics and her master’s degree in nutrition at UNH. She is now completing her dietetic internship at Cornell University and plans to become a registered dietitian.
    Learn More
  • UNH nutrition major Julie Melius
    "There are so many reasons why nutrition is important"
    Julia Melius is a nutritional sciences master’s student from Reading, Massachusetts. She graduated from UNH in 2021 with a degree in nutrition with a dietetics option.
    Learn More
  • UNH Graduate Student Rachel Goding
    "All foods fit!"
    Rachel Goding is a graduate student in nutrition from Warwick, Rhode Island. She earned her B.S. in nutrition and wellness, as well as a minor in culinary nutrition and food studies.
    Learn More

Curriculum & Requirements

The M.S. in Nutrition delivers a content-rich core and substantial learning experiences to prepare students for careers in nutrition and professional health fields. Students with appropriate undergraduate preparation can complete the program within one academic year. The M.S. in Nutrition program is well-suited for students interested in pursuing subsequent professional allied health pathways (e.g., medical school) or dietetic internships that require a master’s degree for admittance. As part of the program, students will demonstrate capacity to engage in critical and systems thinking, convey and apply nutrition concepts, work as individuals and in teams, and identify strategies for lifelong learning.

The M.S. Nutrition requires a minimum of 32 graduate credits. There are eight core courses* that include a year-long research experience (NUTR 960 and NUTR 961). Elective coursework support students’ diverse interests and career goals. Students will be required to earn a B- or better in graduate courses to earn credits toward their degree.

*Students who previously complete any required core 800-level courses at the 700-level as part of the UNH undergraduate degree will substitute a graduate NUTR elective alternative from a prescribed list.

Core Course Requirements
NUTR 820Community Nutrition4
NUTR 850Nutritional Biochemistry4
NUTR 873Clinical Nutrition4
NUTR 880Critical Issues in Nutrition4
NUTR 960Research Methods in Nutritional Science I4
NUTR 961Research Methods in Nutritional Science II4
ANFS 901Introduction to Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems Graduate Studies1
ANFS 997Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems Seminar1
Electives
Select two courses from the following:
NUTR 809Nutritional Epidemiology4
NUTR 810Advanced Diabetes Care2
NUTR 815Advanced Sports Nutrition4
NUTR 830From Seed to Sea: Examining Sustainable Food Systems4
NUTR 840Nutrition for Children with Special Needs4
NUTR 860Behavioral Nutrition and Counseling4
NUTR 851Nutritional Biochemistry of Micronutrients4
NUTR 855Concepts and Controversies in Weight Management4
NUTR 860Behavioral Nutrition and Counseling4
NUTR 876Advanced Pathophysiology and Clinical Care4
NUTR 895Investigations1-4
NUTR 927Nutrition and Gut Microbes in Human Health4

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

Nutrition knowledge-related

  • Build knowledge and understanding in key content areas of nutritional sciences and public health nutrition issues

Research design and analysis

  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of study designs utilized in nutrition-related research
  • Conduct nutrition-related data analyses
  • Interpret the results and scientific literature to inform dietary recommendations, public policy, or chronic disease intervention

Scientific method

  • Demonstrate the ability to design and defend an original, hypothesis-driven project to advance the field of nutritional sciences

Critical thinking

  • Integrate scientific evidence and critically evaluate research findings in specific fields related to nutritional sciences

Communication skills

  • Disseminate evidence-based information on nutritional sciences and public health
  • Deliver nutrition research findings to multiple scientific audiences (i.e. research conference, academic journal)
  • Incorporate critical feedback in their research and academic work

Professionalism

  • Conduct research in an ethical manner
  • Demonstrate collaboration and leadership skills
  • Master concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion in different settings (e.g., healthcare, education, community health)

Apply now

Deadlines

  • Fall: May 15
  • Spring: November 15
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Currently enrolled UNH juniors and seniors applying to the accelerated masters option are only required to submit two letters of recommendation. One letter of recommendation should come from a current or past teacher or advisor and one letter of recommendation should come from a non-academic supervisor or mentor.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

Applicants should visit the Nutritional Sciences program website and review the list of faculty in their area of interest. The applicant should contact potential faculty advisors to discuss their interests and determine whether the faculty member(s) may be willing and able to serve as the student’s advisor before applying to the program. See the Nutritional Sciences Faculty List for a current list of faculty.

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

Explore Program Details

Highly motivated and qualified UNH students with junior or senior standing are eligible to apply to the M.S. in Nutrition via the accelerated pathway.  Accelerated master's admission is designed for students seeking additional training to further their career goals. This program is an optimal way for qualified undergraduate students to begin earning graduate credits during their senior year. 

Our M.S. in Nutrition degree program offers UNH undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate study while completing a bachelor's degree—making you stand out among other job applicants and increase your earning potential. Qualified and motivated students can begin earning up to 8 graduate credits during their senior year, allowing them to maximize their time on campus and return on their educational investment.  

To qualify for the accelerated pathway, you must be a current UNH student with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.  More information regarding the accelerated master's pathway at UNH can be found here.  Undergraduates are encouraged to work with their advisor early to map out their academic plan and take advantage of this pathway.

For admission, competitive program applicants will be expected to meet the following prerequisites:
• GPA > 3.0 in prior academic programs; for students entering via UNH's accelerated pathway during their senior year, a 3.2 GPA is required
• Demonstration of English proficiency for non-native, English-speaking applicants (i.e., TOEFL score).
• Completion of the following courses: nutrition, anatomy and physiology (2 semesters), statistics, general chemistry w/lab, biochemistry

As part of the application process, applicants will be required to submit:

• Three letters of recommendation (only 2 letters for current UNH students applying via the accelerated pathway)
• Personal statement specifying the applicant’s professional development and career plan.

Please note that teaching or research assistantships are not available to students admitted into our non-thesis graduate programs.  Information regarding tuition and fees is located here.  Information about other types of financial aid can be found here.