2026-2028 Catalog

Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus

https://fsn.calpoly.edu/ms-nutrition 

The MS in nutrition program is designed to prepare graduates for advancement, specialization, and leadership in nutrition or healthcare careers. In addition, graduates will be prepared for further education in professional schools, allied health professions, or doctoral studies in a number of academic areas including public health, animal science, or the social sciences. The interdisciplinary Graduate Group in Nutrition (GGN) allows students to work with faculty from several departments and to choose a research topic from a broad range of themes including human nutrition, animal nutrition, kinesiology, public health, business, or social sciences. 

Students are encouraged to select an area of emphasis from the following possibilities: 

  • Molecular Nutrition  

  • Public Health Nutrition 

  • Health and Wellness 

  • Dietetics

Requirements for Admission

Students apply via Cal State Apply and must submit a statement of purpose and three letters of reference. 

For applicants with degrees from outside the U.S., all of the above applies, plus:

  • Your international credentials must be evaluated by one of these agencies:
    AACRAO, ACEI, WES or IERF
  • Proficiency in English must be demonstrated by taking TOEFL (Test of English as
    a Foreign Language) within the last 2 years with an internet score of 80 or greater
    or ELTS (International English Language Testing System) must be taken within 2
    years with a score of 6.0 or greater
  • TOFEL or ELTS is required to issue an I20 visa

Prerequisites: Most applicants with undergraduate degrees in nutrition are eligible
to apply for the traditional MS in nutrition program. Applicants with other
undergraduate degrees are also eligible to apply, with prerequisite coursework. See
FSN website for details.

Minimum GPA: 2.5

Application due date: Admission is for the Fall term. Please see Graduate Student Dates and Deadlines for application deadlines.

Advancement to Candidacy

Completion of 8 units of graduate coursework completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Culminating Experience

Project (NUTR 5598) or Thesis (FSN 5599)

The BS/MS program in Nutrition provides undergraduate students with an advanced option to complete a BS and MS in Nutrition with both degrees being conferred simultaneously.

Blended Options

BS Nutrition + MS Nutrition

Units Double Counted

0 units are double counted.

Requirements for Admission for the Blended Program

Students apply directly to the program and not through Cal State Apply; please contact the department graduate coordinator. 

  • Prerequisites: Nutrition major. Applications must be approved before the student has completed 110 units toward their undergraduate curriculum requirement. If students reach 110 units for the undergraduate requirement, they are not eligible for the blended program. Students must have taken the following courses and received a grade of B- or better:
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Timeline for admission: Applications are submitted in the fall term and decisions are provided to applicant by the end of Spring semester of their application year.
  • Application materials: Application and two letters of recommendation.

Program Learning Objectives

  1. Apply fundamental principles of science in nutrition research, professional practice, and required coursework.
  2. Explain, analyze, and interpret fundamental scientific concepts in the specific area of nutrition and dietetics.
  3. Apply appropriate methodology to nutrition research or issues in professional practice through the design, conduct, and defense of a culminating experience.
  4. Apply critical thinking skills to the analysis of published nutrition and dietetics literature and the design/interpretation of a culminating experience.
  5. Show independent and creative thinking skills in the formulation, design, conduct, and interpretation of nutrition and dietetics culminating experiences.
  6. Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills while addressing issues in nutrition and dietetics.
  7. Work productively, respectfully, and professionally as part of nutrition and dietetics research or other professional teams.
  8. Exhibit leadership, ethical conduct, and community values when working with peers and professionals in nutrition and dietetics.
REQUIRED COURSES
NUTR 5516Nutrition Epidemiology2-3
or NUTR 5531 Lipid Metabolism and Nutrition
NUTR 5528Biochemical and Molecular Aspects of Human Macronutrient Metabolism3
NUTR 5529Metabolic and Molecular Aspects of Vitamins and Minerals3
NUTR 5582Current Nutrition Research1
NUTR 5598Nutrition & Dietetics Capstone Project4
or FSN 5599 Thesis
STAT 5110Introductory Statistics for Graduate Students3
Approved Electives
Select any 5000-level NUTR courses 113-14
Total Units30
1

Courses can only be used once for major degree credit.