MS in Nutrition Programs

The MS in Nutrition program offers advanced study in human nutrition science, tailored to students’ academic backgrounds, professional aspirations, and career goals. The program features distinct curricular tracks, each building on a core foundation in nutrition science. Students gain the skills to critically evaluate research, apply evidence-based solutions, and communicate effectively. Additionally, students develop a research proposal and have the opportunity to complete a practicum, providing hands-on experience in the field in an area of their interest.

Programs of Study

MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (DI)

Students interested in earning the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential who hold either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) Verification Statement are eligible to apply to the MS/DI Program. Boston University offers two options: The BU MS/DI and the BU MS + Partnership DI.

BU MS/DI

The BU MS/DI Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In this program, students complete the requirements to fulfill the MS in Nutrition degree with a clinical concentration. After successful completion of at least 32 graduate-level units, including all core coursework, students begin 29 weeks of full-time supervised practice (the DI component) at one of the BU Affiliate DI sites, starting in either June or January. The DI component is a 6-unit graduate course requiring payment of tuition.

The BU Affiliate DI sites include major teaching hospitals and community hospitals in the greater Boston area and provide excellent opportunities for students to observe and participate in a wide variety of specialties, such as medicine, surgery, nutrition support, pediatrics, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, diabetes, surgical care, outpatient counseling, and food service management.

BU MS + Partnership DI

Sargent College partners with accredited, free-standing DI programs to offer a combined academic and supervised practice experience. Students admitted to a Partnership DI program will complete the MS in Nutrition at BU and the DI at the Partnership DI site. After successful completion of at least 32 graduate-level units, including all core coursework, students begin the Partnership DI portion of the program. Students follow the policies and guidelines of the Partnership DI site. The MS start date, DI start date, program length, rotation schedule, and DI tuition and fees vary based on the Partnership DI program. Some Partnership DI programs require students to complete a clinical concentration. If a clinical concentration is not required, students may select another nutrition-related concentration in consultation with their faculty advisor.

DPD/MS/DI

The DPD/MS/DI program is designed for students who have not yet received a DPD or an FDE Verification Statement and wish to pursue the RDN credential. See the program website for the prerequisite requirements. The program begins in September. Over the duration of the three-year program, students complete the requirements to fulfill two ACEND accredited programs: the DPD program and the MS/DI. Students are then eligible to sit for the CDR national credentialing examination to become an RDN. Additional information is available at the ACEND website.

After successful completion of the DPD and at least 32 graduate-level units, including all core coursework, students begin 29 weeks of full-time supervised practice at one of our BU Affiliate DI sites, starting in either January or June. This component of the program is a 6-unit graduate-level course requiring payment of tuition.

The BU Affiliate DI sites include major teaching hospitals and community hospitals in the greater Boston area and provide excellent opportunities for students to observe and participate in a wide variety of specialties, such as medicine, surgery, nutrition support, pediatrics, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, diabetes, surgical care, outpatient counseling, and food service management.

MS in Nutrition

The two-term MS in Nutrition program is designed for a wide range of students. An undergraduate degree in nutrition or dietetics is not required for entry. See the program website for prerequisite requirements. This program is ideal for RDNs aiming to deepen their understanding of human nutrition science and advance their career; DPD or FDE students seeking a master’s degree before applying to a standalone DI; those seeking a nutrition science–based gap-year experience before applying to medical school, other professional programs, or PhD programs; and those pursuing a career in nutrition research, public health, community nutrition, or industry.

In this program, with faculty support, students build their own concentration in an area of their interest. Common concentrations include public health, sports nutrition, nutrition research, and clinical nutrition.*

The MS in Nutrition program does not include a DI, which is required for the RDN credential. The provision of medical nutrition therapy, including advising or counseling clients, athletes, and/or patients with chronic or acute health conditions, requires the RDN credential. Students who have not yet earned a DPD or FDE Verification Statement and aspire to become an RDN should apply to the DPD/MS/DI program.

This program typically has a fall entry. Based on availability, students may apply to begin the program in January.

*A clinical concentration requires additional prerequisite coursework.

Learning Outcomes

• Advanced Knowledge in Human Nutrition Science
  • Describe the chemical structures and biological roles of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and specific micronutrients.
  • Describe digestion, absorption, transport, and utilization of macronutrients and their impact on biochemical and physiological processes in metabolism.
  • Explain the process of converting dietary components into chemical energy within cells.
  • Compare and contrast how macronutrient metabolic pathways are integrated and regulated in both fasting and fed states.
• Critical Thinking and Interpretation of Current Research in Nutrition
  • Investigate how macronutrient metabolism affects cellular functions, tissue balance, interactions between organs, and the overall functioning of the body.
  • Evaluate strategies in the design of epidemiologic studies exploring relationships between dietary patterns, nutrient intake, physical activity, anthropometry, chronic disease conditions, and selected disease risk factors.
  • Analyze the principal methods of assessing diet and nutritional status, the strengths and limitations of various methods, and the application of these methods in nutritional epidemiologic studies.
• Effective Communication
  • Evaluate and synthesize information to develop effective written products and compelling presentations.
  • Collaborate effectively within teams by contributing knowledge, integrating diverse perspectives, and engaging in shared decision-making to achieve common goals.
• Skills for Future Advancement in the Field
  • Examine the critical links between nutrition, metabolism, and their effects on health and specific disease states.
  • Critically read scientific literature, interpret research findings, and evaluate evidence from nutritional epidemiologic studies as it applies to clinical practice.
  • Analyze key epidemiologic concepts, including chance, bias, confounding, exposure misclassification, measurement error, generalizability, and causal inference, using specific examples from published research on diet and disease relationships.

Admission Requirements & Application Deadlines

Applicants should refer to the program website for up-to-date admission requirements and application deadlines.

Degree Requirements

All Programs

• Successful completion of a minimum of 32 graduate-level units.
• At least 25 graduate-level units must be taken at BU as a degree candidate. An overall minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher must be attained in graduate-level coursework.
• Most graduate courses are 600-level or above. In consultation with a faculty advisor, graduate elective or concentration course requirements may be fulfilled with 500-level and above courses.
• No grade below C will count toward degree requirements.
• The maximum number of units with a C or C+ is 8 units. If a student achieves a grade lower than a C, they must retake the course. A student may repeat a course only once to meet the above requirements. If a course is repeated to meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement, the units and grades from both courses are included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. If a course is repeated to meet a course minimum grade requirement, the grade in the repeated course must meet the minimum grade requirement.
• The graduate coursework may be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
• All programs must be completed within seven years of matriculation.

MS/DI Programs

• The successful completion of the DI and all MS coursework, which includes core content and at least 32 graduate-level units, are required for degree conferral and for eligibility to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national credentialing examination to become an RDN.
• The DI must be completed on a full-time basis.

DPD/MS/DI Program

• The successful completion of the DPD, the DI, and all MS coursework, which includes core content and at least 32 graduate-level units, are required for degree conferral and for eligibility to sit for the CDR national credentialing examination to become an RDN.
• The DI must be completed on a full-time basis.

Curriculum

Electives

Students may choose from a wide range of elective courses offered across the University. The following nutrition courses are also available:

• SAR HS 540 Nutrition for Sport and Performance (4 units)
• SAR HS 608 SUMMER Study Abroad, Padua, Italy: Mediterranean Diet: Food, Culture, and Health (4 units)
• SAR HS 712 Eating Disorders: Prevention and Treatment (2 units)