Masters Degree (MSNS) in
Nutritional Sciences (Clinical Nutrition track)
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PROGRAM DETAILS
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Masters Degrees
- Nutritional Sciences (Clinical Nutrition track) (MSNS)
About this Program
Advance your career in clinical nutrition with our 100% online interdisciplinary Clinical Nutrition master's degree. In this program, you will receive advanced training in nutritional sciences and applied clinical nutrition skills to advance and grow your career in clinical dietetics. This program also prepares you for careers in health care, academia, education, wellness, and other nutrition-related fields.
This program can be completed in 18 months.
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Designed For
This program is appropriate for individuals with a strong interest in the scientific study of nutrition, metabolism, and human health. Prospective students often have backgrounds in healthcare related fields, and are motivated to advance their knowledge and skills in nutrition research, clinical practice, or public health nutrition.
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What You’ll Learn
This online program provides an emphasis in clinical nutrition and is well suited for a variety of healthcare practitioners. Upon completion of the MSNS in Clinical Nutrition, students will be able to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in Clinical Nutrition in the following four areas:
- Integrate information from the scientific literature and use critical thinking to make ethical, evidence-based practice decisions in clinical nutrition.
- Demonstrate advanced clinical practitioner readiness, with new knowledge, professional skills and ethical values that are essential to the clinical RDN.
- Describe the nutrition care process in decision making for the care of patients/clients with complex medical conditions.
- Explain clinical nutrition-based concepts in health promotion and disease prevention for individuals, groups, and populations.
Focus Areas
- Medical nutrition therapy
- Clinical nutrition assessment
- Research methods in nutritional sciences
- Macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism
- Communication skills
- Nutrition in chronic disease
*Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement for eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians has changed from a bachelor’s to a graduate degree (granted by a USDE-recognized accredited agency or foreign equivalent). All other didactic and supervised practice eligibility requirements remain the same. Graduates of the Clinical Nutrition Track in Nutritional Sciences (MS) program who have previously completed ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics and Dietetic Internship (Option 1) or Coordinated Program in Dietetics (Option 2) are eligible for the Registered Dietitian examination.
Course Examples
- NS/CNU 601 Integrated Nutritional Sciences Part I
- NS/CNU 602 Integrated Nutritional Sciences Part II
- NS/CNU 603 Integrated Nutritional Sciences Part III
- RHB 775 Responsible Conduct in Research and Ethics
- NS/CNU 704 Current Topics in Nutritional Sciences
- STA 570 Basic Statistical Analysis
- CNU 608 Research Methods in Nutritional Sciences
- NS/CNU 607 Professional Skills Course
- NS/CNU 782 Special Problems in Nutritional Sciences: Capstone Project
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Nutritional Sciences (Clinical Nutrition track) program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Nutrition or Dietetics, or relevant clinical nutrition experience as approved by program chair.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume.
- A brief essay, no longer than two single-spaced pages, describing long-term career goals and how the graduate program would advance these goals. The essay should also include a description of the applicant's clinical nutrition coursework and any experience with clinical nutrition.
- Two letters of recommendation (Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)
- Official transcripts.
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
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The MS program in Nutritional Sciences has considerably prepared my transition from undergraduate dietetics student, to dietetic intern, to now practicing clinical dietitian in critical care and nutrition support. The curriculum has a variety of engaging courses in nutritional sciences, yet specializing in clinical nutrition has supported my aim to advance my professional knowledge and abilities.
Mitchell WattsWhy UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
Is there a tuition cap?
Yes! For graduate students who enroll full-time (9+ credit hours) exclusively in a distance education program, will receive a capped tuition rate. To see the current term’s capped tuition rate, please visit https://www.uky.edu/studentaccount/tuition and look for “Graduate Students Enrolled Exclusively in Distance Education Courses -- full-time.” This is the per semester rate you will pay when enrolled for 9 or more credit hours. Please note, this rate only applies to programs using the standard graduate tuition rate.
What tuition assistance is available for graduate students?
Graduate students should review the Student Funding information available through the Graduate School. Specific programs may offer additional funding that is unique to that program. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the department in which you wish to enroll with questions about the availability of assistantships and the application process.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Should I enroll as a full-time graduate student?
This depends on each student and their ability to manage the heavy course load of enrolling full-time, which is 9 credit hours (typically, 3 classes) per semester. Students who enroll full-time may find it difficult to keep even a part-time job. Students who are able to manage a full-time courseload can take advantage of our Graduate Tuition Cap and save on tuition, which offers a flat tuition rate per semester when enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Will this program lead to licensure in my state?
Students should consult with their licensure board to verify if this program will meet licensure requirements for the state in which they will practice. UK has assembled a database of licensure information for different states. However, the ultimate responsibility for verifying this information prior to enrollment lies with the student.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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