Master of Science in Nutrition

The Master of Science in Nutrition Science degree provides advanced academic training for students seeking in-depth nutrition knowledge and for Registered Dietitians who are interested in career advancement. Our program provides students with non-thesis or thesis program options for completing the Master’s degree. The non-thesis option includes completion of a research project under the direction of your Graduate Advisor and another Graduate Faculty member in Nutrition, whereas the thesis option includes completion of an original research project under the direction of a Thesis Committee.

Contact us at MSNUTR@ecu.edu or 252-744-1034

The program requires 33 semester hours which are composed of the following:

Non-Thesis Concentration Course requirements – 18 semester hours of course work as approved by your Advisor
Thesis Concentration Course requirements – 14 semester hours of course work approved by your Advisor

The courses for completing the Master of Science in Nutrition Science are offered only online. Some on-campus activities may be required for the thesis option.

Apply to East Carolina University. Admission to East Carolina University does not guarantee admission into your desired program of study.

Admission Requirements

• Equivalent of Nutrition Foundation requirement from ECU (if your undergraduate degree is in something other than nutrition). Requirements are listed below.
• Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale if major in Nutrition or 3.0 on 4.0 Nutrition Foundations requirements if primary degree is not in Nutrition

Nutrition Foundation Requirements (32 semester hours)

These courses must be successfully completed before applying to the MS in Nutrition program. It is not required that you complete these courses from ECU – you can take them at any college or university that offers course equivalents. See the undergraduate catalog from descriptions of the courses. The courses are offered at ECU by face-to-face instruction (not distance education).

• BIOL 1050 General Biology (3 semester hours)
• BIOL 2130 and 2131 Survey of Human Physiology class and lab (5 semester hours)
• CHEM 1160 and CHEM 1161 General Chemistry class and lab (4 semester hours)
• CHEM 2650 and CHEM 2651 Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences class and lab (5 semester hours)
• College algebra (3 semester hours), earn minimum grade of C, completed in past 5 years
• NUTR 2105 Nutrition Science (3 semester hours)
• NUTR 3104 Advanced Vitamins and Minerals (2 semester hours)
• NUTR 3105 Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism (3 semester hours)
• NUTR 3311 Life Cycle Nutrition (4 semester hours)

Application Process

The application for the Master of Science Degree in Nutrition is submitted online to the East Carolina University’s Graduate School. A completed application will include the following items:

• Online graduate application
• Official transcripts from all schools, colleges, or universities attended
• Two reference letters (submitted through the application website following their specific directions)

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is August 1. Students accepted into the MS Program can apply to the Dietetic Internship via preselect the January of their second semester. Acceptance into the DI would provide 13 credit hours towards the MS degree during the student’s second year.

Program Completion Requirements

• The Master of Science degree in Nutrition Science requires a minimum of 33 semester hours, 17 semester hours must be 6000-level and 15 semester hours must be NUTR courses. You are required to successfully complete all core courses and the appropriate research/professional practice courses for the thesis or non-thesis option.
• Students enrolled in the program have 6 years to complete all degree requirements.
• Continuous enrollment (fall and spring terms) is required upon admission into the program.

Contact us at MSNUTR@ecu.edu or 252-744-1034