MS Nutrition Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics

The required 45 credits of the degree include the following required coursework:

• NUTR 620: Nutrition Education (3 credits)
• NUTR 651: Nutrition Assessment (3 credits)
• NUTR 670: Research Methods (3 credits)
• NUTR 522: Nutrition Across Lifespan (3 credits)
• NUTR 512: Nutrition Counseling and Communication (3 credits)
• NUTR 537: Food Service Management (3 credits)
• NUTR 662: Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 (3 credits)
• NUTR 687: Supervised Practice (7 credits)
• NUTR 587: Profession of Dietetics (2 credits total)
• NUTR 667: Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 (3 credits)
• NUTR 626: Food Systems (3 credits)
• NUTR 515: Fundamentals of Cooking (3 credits)
• NUTR 675: Nutrition Program Evaluation (3 credits)
• GCH 500: Foundations of Public Health (3 credits)

View the Mason Catalog to learn more. 

Distance Education

Some elements of the program will be delivered via distance education methodology (e.g., online). As such, students will minimally need a reliable internet connection, a computer with internet access, and a webcam. For full details on GMU Distance learning visit the University's policy pages. 

Tuition

In-State Tuition 

• Tuition $599.75 per credit
• Mandatory Student Fee $146 per credit
• Total Tuition and Fees $745.75

Out-of-State Tuition 

• Tuition $1,487.75 per credit
• Mandatory Student Fee $146 per credit
• Total Tuition and Fees $1,633.75 per credit

In addition, there is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time fee. The fee is charged to the account of every newly admitted, degree-seeking student at the time of registration, regardless of orientation attendance or enrollment status. The new student fee is $60.00.

All tuition and fee schedules are subject to change from semester to semester. In addition to tuition, costs will include textbooks and materials/supplies for supervised experiential learning.

Transportation, Housing, and Living, and Other Expenses 

Students may be required to travel up to 2 hours to certain SEL sites. Average housing, transportation, book and other costs for GMU students vary. Estimates can be found here.

Financial Aid 

Student enrollment is automatically reported to the National Student Clearinghouse for loan deferment purposes. Most lenders, guarantors, and loan servicers provide paperless deferments based on enrollment data reported to them by the Clearinghouse. See more information from the Registrar.

• All degree-seeking students are eligible to apply for federal aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. For more information regarding financial aid eligibility please visit Financial Aid Services.
• All students enrolled in the MS/RD program are required to become student members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). AND has scholarships and other financial aid offered to students through the AND Foundation. For more information, please visit this site: https://www.eatrightpro.org/leadership/honors-and-awards/grants-and-scholarships.
• Scholarships available through GMU.
• The College of Public Health offers a variety of scholarships to assist graduate students with academic expenses. For more information on CPH scholarships, please visit: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/students/scholarships.

The Department of Nutrition and Food Studies may have funds to recruit outstanding applicants, and some faculty may be able to support graduate students with external research funding. For more information, please visit Funding Opportunities.  

Withdrawal 

A withdrawal from the University is defined as leaving the University by dropping all classes after having paid registration fees. Information on leaving the University is available at the following link: Academic Policies and Procedures.

Insurance 

Personal Health Insurance: All students in the program are required to have personal health insurance. Health insurance is available to students through GMU should they need it. Students must provide proof of personal health insurance to the program director at the start of the program. 
Professional Liability Insurance: All students currently registered for SEL courses are covered under the university’s liability insurance while they are active students.

Admission Information

• Completion of GMU Graduate School application. Admission is for Fall semester only.
• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university with a GPA of at least 3.0 preferred.
• Completion of all prerequisites prior to expected entry into the program. A GPA of at least 3.3 in all required coursework with a minimum grade of “B” for Introductory to Nutrition and a minimum grade of “C” for all other courses.
• Prerequisites may be taken at two- or four-year accredited institutions, either in a traditional setting or online.
• English Proficiency Exam scores are required for international applicants. Click here for minimum scores and waiver eligibility.

Submit all application materials to the DICAS Website at https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login: 

1. GMU Graduate application
2. Electronic official transcript(s) from all institutions of higher learning attended
3. Statement of interest (500 words maximum)
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. Resume

Priority Application Deadline: February 1– applications accepted on a rolling basis; admission is for Fall semester only.

*An interview may be requested by the Program Director and other program faculty if necessary.

Prerequisite Courses: Minimum Credits

1. Inorganic/General Chemistry 6 (2 semesters)
2. Organic Chemistry 4 (1 semester)
3. Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
4. Microbiology 3
5. Biochemistry 3
6. Statistics 3
7. Intro to Nutrition 3
8. Advanced Nutrition/Metabolism 6 (2 semesters)
9. American Government 3
10. Medical Terminology 1

TOTAL Minimum Credits 36 credits

* As a science-based didactic program, the GPND requires a strong foundation in chemistry and the biological sciences. Appropriate science/lab classes are single semester and often denoted as appropriate for health professions.

** We do not assess for prior learning. However, if during the course of the program, gaps in knowledge become apparent, attempts will be made to support the student in obtaining required additional learning support.

Sapna Batheja 
Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies
Email: sbatheja@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-5814

The overarching mission of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies is to inform students and the public about the role of food and nutrition in improving health and well-being among local and global populations through the integration of education, research, and outreach. The educational mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in food and nutrition-related studies. The research mission is to promote, develop, and support research programs that help define and address food and nutritional issues. The outreach mission is to increase the awareness of food and nutrition-related issues among local and global communities, support local and global food and nutrition initiatives, and enhance collaboration among individuals and organizations to improve nutrition and health-related outcomes.

The additional mission of the Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (GPND) is to prepare the next generation of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to meet the nutritional needs of communities in a changing world through evidence-based, collaborative practice.

Goal 1: To prepare graduates with the competencies necessary to become entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN).

• Objective 1. Program completion (ACEND objective) At least 80% of program graduates complete the program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
• Objective 2. Registration exam (ACEND objective) At least 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. 
• Objective 3. Registration exam (ACEND objective) The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 

Goal 2: To prepare career-ready Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) who are trained to practice in a diverse, changing world, are engaged in the professional community, and are dedicated to lifelong learning. 

• Objective 1. Professional engagement. (Program specific objective): By graduation, 90% of graduates will have attended at least one local, regional, or national nutrition and dietetics professional meeting. 
• Objective 2. Graduate employment (ACEND objective) Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related field within 12 months of graduation. 
• Objective 3. Employer satisfaction (ACEND objective): At least 80% of employer respondents rate graduates’ preparation for entry level practice with scores of “good” or better on surveys during graduates’ first year of employment in the field.

Students choose from among a list of Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) sites that are provided by the program (i.e., you do not need to find your own SEL placements). Students are required to successfully complete all supervised experiential learning and associated assessments such as assignments, exams, case studies, simulations, and presentations. Documentation that students have met established competencies is maintained through the student’s progression through the program. Each supervised experiential learning component includes a set of competencies in which students must demonstrate proficiency. Formal evaluations will be provided to students as they matriculate through the program. Self-evaluations and peer evaluations will also be utilized through the program. 

The expected program length is 21 months. If a student is unable to demonstrate proficiency in a specific set of competencies, the student may receive additional time not to exceed one month. We recommend students complete all supervised experiential learning and meet competencies within is 31.5 months. GMU graduate policy allows for a maximum of 5 years to complete a Masters Degree.

Upon completion of the program, the degree granted is a Master of Science in Nutrition with a Dietetics Concentration. The degree requirements include completion of 45 credit hours. While SEL hours will vary depending on the specific sites chosen, a minimum of 1,155 total hours in supervised and alternative experiential learning will be met. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in order to be awarded a degree from the Graduate College. After the degree is conferred by GMU, the verification statements will be provided to the program graduates by the Program Director. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will be notified by the Program Director within four weeks of students completing all of the requirements for graduate and posting of degree, at which time the graduate assumes responsibility for scheduling and taking the RDN exam. Students are encouraged to take the exam promptly after completing the program.

Download a copy of the Future Education Model Graduate Degree Competencies and Performance Indicators for more information.

Information about Program outcomes are available upon request.

View the student handbook here.

Student outcomes are available upon request.