MSNS Overview
Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences - ONLINE
As our understanding of the importance of nutrition in human health continues to increase, professionals who are well versed in nutritional science are in high demand. The University of Texas at Austin’s Master of Science in Nutritional Science (MSNS) online program is designed for a variety of candidates, including students and working professionals in nutrition, wellness, and other health-related fields who want to expand their knowledge base to include the specialization.
Our program is science-based and human-focused and addresses the cutting edge nutrition issues of today, including:
- The impact of food preparation and processing on the nutrient quality of food
- The role of diet on the gut microbiome
- The interaction between what we eat and how our genes function
- How to motivate nutritional behavior change
- The nutritional and environmental underpinnings of energy balance and weight gain
The Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences (MSNS) offers advanced training in nutritional science to Registered Dietitians and other health and wellness professionals. It also prepares individuals for teaching in community colleges; administration in public health programs; and technical positions at food, pharmaceutical, and chemical laboratories.
This 100% online degree offers the rigor and excellence of the on-campus graduate program to a wider audience.
Graduate students will benefit from the strong support network of fellow students that comes from cohort-based learning and readily accessible faculty. Further, professional students can immediately apply industry-aligned and challenge-based learning strategies to the workplace, whether in a clinical, community, food service, wellness, or private setting.
The online MSNS program does not satisfy the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian. If this is your interest, please refer to our Coordinated and Didactic Programs in Dietetics.
The online MSNS program is a 30-credit-hour program with two concentrations:
- Health Promotion and Diseases Prevention
- Biochemical and Functional Nutrition.
All students will complete five core nutrition classes and five courses in the concentration of their choice. This program will provide a unique opportunity for students to choose the concentration best suited for their needs.
| Core Courses |
| Advances in Nutritional Sciences I - Macronutrients |
| Advances in Nutritional Sciences II - Micronutrients |
| Molecular Nutritional Sciences |
| Experimental Design and Statistics |
| Study Design and Research Methods |
|
Track I: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
|
Track 2: Biochemical & Functional Nutrition
|
| Theories of Nutrition Behavior |
Nutrition as Medicine |
| Energy Balance and Obesity |
Nutrition and Cancer |
| Nutrition Through the Lifecycle |
Nutrition Immunology |
| Nutrition and Disease Prevention |
Nutrigenomics |
| Current Issues in Nutritional Science |
Current Issues in Nutritional Science |
For additional information about classes, please see Course Descriptions.
Admissions
Admission Requirements
Deadline for applications for Fall 2017 is August 1. Fall admission only.
Admission is based on undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) grades, letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic potential and/or professional experience, and a personal statement of goals from the applicant. A Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score is required for admissions but admission is not based on GRE score cut-points. The Admission Committee also examines the fit between applicant’s goals and the goals of the program.
Applicants to the online MSNS degree program must meet the minimum requirements for graduate study at the University of Texas at Austin. Admission requirements to the Graduate School and the graduate program in Nutritional Sciences are as follows:
- A bachelor’s degree in a science-related field from an accredited United States institution or proof of equivalent training at an institute outside the United States. The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) will determine eligibility for admission in consultation with prospective graduate programs.
- A grade point average of at least 3.00 in upper-division work (junior- and senior-level courses) and in any graduate work already completed.
- Completion of the GRE test is required for admission.
- A satisfactory score (minimum score of 83 required) on the TOEFL exam (international applicants only). For more information, please see: Graduate School Admissions for International Students
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional potential.
- Personal statement regarding research and professional experience, goals, and how completion of the program will further those goals.
- Applicants should have a background in nutrition or related science and/or meet the pre-requisite coursework for admissions (described below).
If an applicant does not have a bachelor’s degree in a related science field, they must complete the courses below prior to applying for admission to the MSNS degree program:
- Introductory Nutrition and Laboratory
- Introductory Biology: Cell Biology
- Vertebrate Physiology
- Principles of Chemistry and Laboratory
- Organic Chemistry and Laboratory
- Biochemistry and Laboratory
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until August 1st, 2017.
Application
Application Process
Step 1
- Take GRE. Send official scores using the reference UT Austin code: 6882, no department code is necessary. Scores must be sent from Educational Testing Service (ETS).
- International applicants must take TOEFL or IELTS. Send official TOEFL or IELTS scores using the UT Austin code 6882. Scores must be sent from ETS. If you hold bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or from an institution in another English-only country, you will receive a waiver of the TOEFL. For more information see Admissions for International Students regarding TOEFL scores and international graduate student admission.
Step 2
Apply to the Graduate School at The University of Texas at Austin through ApplyTexas, select Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences Option III (Major Code 671950).
- The application requires the names and email addresses of three individuals who will serve as your References. They will receive an email with a link to upload a reference letter.
- Include a Statement of Purpose about your background and interest in nutrition.
- Pay Application Fee. Your application is not complete until the fee is paid.
Step 3
After you have submitted your application you will receive an email that contains a link to the Status Check website where you will be able to upload your transcript(s). Upload PDF copies of official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities you have attended. All transcripts will be received electronically. Please do not send paper transcripts. For more information, see Graduate Admissions.
All application materials received by the Admissions Center will be available to the Nutritional Sciences Admissions Committee.
From Admissions Status, you can monitor reference requests, upload your curriculum vitae or resume, submit additional items such as publications, resend a request, add a new reference, and revise your FERPA waiver.
Cost & Financial Aid
Total program cost is $26,454 ($750/credit hour + student fees).
Tuition is $750 per credit hour.
Fees are $752 per student for each Fall and Spring semester and $659 each Summer semester. There is also a $10 one-time ID fee.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to ensure enrollment into the program. This deposit will then be applied to the first semester tuition cost.
Applicants for this program are eligible for Federal Direct Loans and some private sector loans. See Financial Aid for more information. Due to the nature of the program other financial support, such as Teaching Assistant positions and scholarship funding, are not available for MSNS graduate students.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this program unique?
- 100% online
- Courses taught by experienced nutritional Sciences and dietetic faculty
- Provides two unique concentrations of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Biochemical and Functional Nutrition
Do I have to follow the curriculum as is? Can I take more or fewer classes per semester?
Courses in the MSNS program are seven weeks long. Two courses per 15-week semester will be offered. The first is completed during weeks 1-7 and the second is completed during weeks 8-15.
We recommend students take both classes each semester, but students have the option to take only one course per semester. Students are unable to take additional courses per semester at this time.
The last day to drop a class and receive a refund is the 12th class day.
How flexible is the program schedule?
The MSNS program is designed to help students progress at a consistent pace. Students will complete weekly assignments and participate in discussions and activities. Although these weekly activities are required, students have the flexibility to work on them at a convenient time of day. Each course will have unique assignments and schedules presented at the beginning of the course.
The last day to drop a class and receive a refund is the 12th class day.
What is the class schedule?
The MSNS program is offered online over a seven-week period. Students are able to access webinars, presentations, readings, assignments and discussions at their convenience. Each Fall and Spring semester, two seven-week courses are offered back-to-back. One seven-week course is offered in Summer. Each new cohort begins in the Fall. Admission for each Fall cohort is August 1 of that year.
The last day to drop a class and receive a refund is the 12th class day.
How much time should I expect to devote to studying/classwork per week?
Generally, students can expect to dedicate approximately 15-24 hours per week to their work in the MSNS program. This includes reading, studying, and projects.
Can I become an RD (Registered Dietitian) by completing the MSNS Online?
The MSNS is designed to provide advanced nutrition training to students who have already completed their Bachelor’s in Nutrition or a related science field. This degree does not provide a path to the RD (Registered Dietitian) certification. For additional information about becoming an RD (Registered Dietitian), please see Dietetics.
How much does this program cost?
Total program cost is $26,454 ($750/credit hour + student fees).
Tuition is $750 per credit hour.
Fees are $752 per student for each Fall and Spring semester and $659 each Summer semester. There is also a $10 one-time ID fee.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to ensure enrollment into the program. This deposit will then be applied to the first semester tuition cost.
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Applicants for this program are eligible for Federal Direct Loans and some private sector loans. See Financial Aid for more information. Due to the nature of the program other financial support, such as Teaching Assistant positions and scholarship money, is not available for MSNS graduate students.
What are career opportunities for graduates with a degree in Nutritional Sciences?
The MSNS degree program prepares students for clinical, food service, counseling, and community nutrition careers. To see recent placements of graduates from the Department of Nutritional Sciences see Career Opportunities.
What is the contact information for the MSNS program?
Physical Mailing Address:
Department of Nutritional Sciences
University of Texas at Austin
School of Human Ecology
103 W. 24th St., Stop A2703
Austin, Texas 78712
USA
Email Address:
online-nutrition@austin.utexas.edu
