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Penn Nursing’s rigorous academic curricula are taught by world renowned experts, ensuring that students at every level receive an exceptional Ivy League education. From augmented reality classrooms and clinical simulations to coursework that includes experiential global travel to clinical placements in top notch facilities, a Penn Nursing education prepares our graduates to lead.
MS in Nutrition Science
Through an interdisciplinary learning approach and asynchronous online format, this program will increase the student’s knowledge in nutrition science to improve public health and health promotion for nutrition-associated disease management both in the US and globally.
About the Program
With this advanced degree, students will be competitively positioned for research that bridges nutritional concerns and for doctoral education. Graduates with the MS in Nutrition Science degree will have demonstrated competencies in reading and synthesizing the published nutrition science literature, nutrition counseling, cultural competency, scholarly presentations, data analysis and interpretation, and writing for scholarly publication. Learn more about program outcomes.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently issued its first ever NIH-wide strategic plan for nutrition research that seeks cross-cutting, innovative opportunities to advance nutrition research across a wide range of areas to improve health and to prevent or combat diseases and conditions affected by nutrition. Penn Nursing’s MS in Nutrition Science degree is perfectly designed to meet this need.
Penn Nursing has a lot to offer for a MS in a Nutrition Science degree.
Students enrolled in our program will:
Study nutrition through a multidisciplinary lens;
Understand the science behind why nutrition is core to human health;
Learn from leading experts in nursing, public health, and human behavior; and
Access the network of resources only the University of Pennsylvania’s Ivy League institution can offer.
Access user-friendly, asynchronous online courses in their own time.
Program Information
Full-Time
Program Length
12 months
Financial aid available?
Yes
Start Semester
Fall
Learning Format
Online
Part-Time
Program Length
18 months
Financial aid available?
Yes
Start Semester
Fall
Learning Format
Online
Program Details
Curriculum
The program offers an efficient, 10 course units using an asynchronous online format with synchronous opportunities and virtual office hours. Instructors and faculty mentors guide students in their capstone project development and completion.
We offer full-time and part-time enrollment options for this program, which can be completed in 3-5 semesters.
Click the link below to view the curriculum and plans of study for this program in the University catalog.
Your program costs will depend on how many course units (CU) you take per semester.
Scholarships are available.
For full-time students, the plan of study includes Fall 1= 3 Core, Spring 1 = 3 Core (including Capstone 1) + 1 elective, and Summer 1= 2 Core (including Capstone 2) + 1 elective.
Fall 2023 - per course unit (CU): 3 CUs
Tuition
$19,035
Online Services Fee
$447
Technology Fee
$466
TOTAL
$19,948
Spring 2024 - per course unit (CU): 4 CUs
Tuition
$25,246
Online Services Fee
$447
Technology Fee
$466
TOTAL
$26,159
Summer 2024 - per course unit (CU): 3 CUs
Tuition
$19,704
Online Services Fee
$447
TOTAL
$20,151
For part-time students, the plan of study includes Fall 1= 2 Core, Spring 1 = 2 Core, Summer 1= 1 Core + 1 elective, Fall 2 = 2 Core (including Capstone 1), Spring 2 = 1 Core (Capstone 2) + 1 elective.
Fall 2023 - per course unit (CU): 2 CUs
Tuition
$12,690
Online Service Fee
$298
Technology Fee
$232
TOTAL
$13,220
Spring 2024 - per course unit (CU): 2 CUs
Tuition
$12,690
Online Service Fee
$298
Technology Fee
$232
TOTAL
$13,220
Summer 2024 - per course unit (CU): 2 CUs
Tuition
$13,134
Online Service Fee
$308
TOTAL
$13,442
Fall 2024 - per course unit (CU): 2 CUs
Tuition
$13,134
Online Service Fee
$308
Technology Fee
$240
TOTAL
$13,682
Spring 2025 - per course unit (CU): 2 CUs
Tuition
$13,134
Online Service Fee
$308
Technology Fee
$240
TOTAL
$13,682
Program Outcomes
The career paths open to graduates of our online MS in Nutrition Science program will vary depending on their prior training. Graduates will develop the following outcomes:
Acquire experience in communicating nutrition concepts and motivating clients for appropriate behavioral decisions and actions.
Analyze research to make recommendations and develop strategies to reduce risks and improve patient care outcomes for a specific patients and health conditions.
Integrate principles and strategies to design and deliver culturally relevant, effective health promotion and disease prevention education for individuals, families, communities, and health professionals.
Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and consult with other nutrition science professionals in the design, coordination, and evaluation of human nutrition research.
Evaluate and synthesize published research findings from the peer-reviewed nutrition science literature.
Develop scholarly writing, peer review and presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge.
Apart from the master of science program, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing offers graduate minor, graduate certificate, and undergraduate major and undergraduate minor nutrition program options. Students of Penn Nursing’s Nutrition program learn from leading experts in nursing, public health, and human behavior.
There are so many people from different professional backgrounds who can benefit from Penn Nursing’s MS in Nutrition Science program.
Dietitians in practice with a BS. Attaining the MS in Nutrition Science will be more competitive for career advancement, and likely salary increases, as the requirement for entry into dietetic practice by 2024 will be a MS degree.
Students who come with a BA or BS in another subject will be competitive for positions in nutrition science-focused research or programs as project managers or project directors.
Pre-health students, medical residents and fellows, physicians, pharmacists, veterinarians, clinical psychologists, and dentists in training will be more competitive for research and practice in areas with a heavy nutrition focus, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, surgery, gastrointestinal medicine, obesity management, and oncology.
Students with graduate level public health, clinical epidemiology, translational science or bioethics training, in addition to the online MS in Nutrition Science, will be better positioned for research in their area that bridges nutritional concerns.
The online MS in Nutrition Science is currently not designed to meet the requirements for professional licensure and would not be sought by individuals looking for an entry program to become registered dietitians.
Both graduate programs are designed for individuals holding an undergraduate degree who desire a more advanced education in nutrition science.
The MS in Nutrition Science degree program is offered 100% online and opens up many career paths depending on their prior training. Graduates of the program will be well-positioned to advance their careers and will have access to a strong network of researchers and practice professionals in areas with a heavy nutrition focus, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthodontics, veterinary, surgery, gastrointestinal medicine, obesity management, and oncology. They will also be competitively positioned for research in their area that bridges nutritional concerns. In addition, graduates will demonstrate competencies in reading and synthesizing the published nutrition science literature, nutrition counseling, cultural competency, scholarly presentations, data analysis and interpretation, and writing for scholarly publication. Learn more about MS in Nutrition Science program outcomes.
The Graduate Nutrition Certificate program expands opportunities for nutrition education to the graduate level and will enable you to certify basic knowledge of nutrition science, training that will be valuable for your own health and lifestyle management.
The Penn Nursing online MS in Nutrition Science program can be completed in 3 semesters, 12 months, for full-time students and 5 semesters, 18 months, for part-times students.
Program Activities
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