Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences

FAQs

• Is GMAT/GRE Required?

  The GRE requirement will be waived for all applicants for the Fall 2021 semester. Students may continue to submit official GRE scores for consideration, but they will not be required to do so. Providing GRE scores can bolster your application if there are aspects of your application that you feel may be not as competitive as others. Students are also able to request a waiver from the Director of the program with appropriate submission of their current MCAT, PCAT, OAT, or DAT score. Some additional waivers can be provided for learners that have earned a graduate clinical/science degree (e.g., MD, PA, DDS) if they are currently practicing in their clinical field. Questions should be directed to online-nutrition@austin.utexas.edu.
• Will I have access to University networking or career services?

  Yes. College of Natural Sciences (https://cns.utexas.edu/career-services) and the UT Austin Graduate School (https://gradschool.utexas.edu/services-and-resources/career-resources) both offer career services. Students are also invited to attend the Nutritional Sciences Seminar (https://he.utexas.edu/ntr/research/seminar-series) and join the Nutrition Graduate Student Association (https://he.utexas.edu/ntr/graduate-students/graduate-student-organization).
• Is financial aid available?

  Federal financial aid is available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.org).
• Does the University offer scholarships?

  No. This program is not able to offer or accept University of Texas scholarships at this time.
• What degree is earned at the end of the program?

  Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
• Who teaches the courses in this program?

  The same top educators that teach on-campus courses - full time Nutritional Sciences faculty in their area of research or interest.
• Is the TOEFL required for international students?

  Yes. A minimum score of an 83 is required for International Students.
• How can I obtain the necessary prerequisites if I don’t already have them?

  You can complete certain prerequisite coursework for this nutrition program through a variety of avenues. Local community colleges typically offer general nutrition courses as well as organic chemistry and anatomy & physiology. You may also take them through online programs. The biochemistry course would need to be obtained from a four-year institution or through edX. To obtain the necessary Biochemistry prerequisite coursework, earn a verified certificate from HarvardX's Principles of Biochemistry (https://www.edx.org/course/principles-of-biochemistry). The course is self-paced so you can go through it at your own pace. Check the course page for run dates. Complete the form on this page for additional course options and receive additional guidance.
• What background do students in this program have?

  Students come from varied backgrounds. These include many of the healthcare professions including nutrition and dietetics, medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy as well as therapists and trainers. But students also come from other backgrounds that include nutrition policy, communications, marketing, teaching, and more. Students have undergraduate degrees in nutrition, biology, dietetics, biochemistry, public health, human ecology, psychology, biostatistics, epidemiology, physical and exercise science and sports nutrition, among many others.
• What is the difference between a Master’s in Nutritional Sciences and a Master’s in Nutrition?

  A Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences and a Master’s degree in Nutrition are equivalent credentials. The term Nutritional Sciences indicates that the degree has a strong foundation in science and nutritional biochemistry. This master of science in nutrition would be appropriate for continuing on to a higher graduate or clinical degree.
• What is the difference between the online master’s degree and the on-campus graduate degree?

  At UT Austin, there is no difference between the online master’s degree and the in-residence full-time degree; they are equal in rigor and content. This program is fully accredited.
• How will this nutrition program help me in my career?

  The Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences (MSNS) offers advanced training in nutrition science to current and future medical, dental, pharmaceutical, nursing, and health and wellness professionals. It also prepares individuals for teaching in community colleges; administration in public health programs and community nutrition; and technical positions at food science, pharmaceutical, and chemical laboratories. The field of nutrition has many facets and the master’s degree opens up opportunities for nutrition professionals in industry and entrepreneurship by providing a strong foundation in research methods and applications.
• Do I need a graduate degree in order to become a registered dietitian (RD)?

  Several years ago the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Commission on Dietetic Registration made the decision to require a master’s degree, in addition to the supervised practice, in order to take the RD exam and become a registered dietitian. As of Jan 1, 2024, this requirement will go into effect. This advanced educational requirement will raise the professional esteem of registered dietitians and nutritionists who play a critical part of larger healthcare teams. If you are already a RD, you do not need to get a graduate degree, but having one will make you more competitive and help your career growth.
• How can this degree help a registered dietitian?

  The Master’s of Nutritional Sciences provides registered dietitians working in clinical dietetics or other areas of healthcare or food systems with a deeper and broader knowledge of the interactions of nutritional biochemistry and health and disease. This foundational knowledge informs decisions about treatment, patient response, and patient adherence. Registered dietitians will be able to review and apply scientific research to their practice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job demand for qualified registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) will grow significantly in the next 10 years, more than the average U.S. job growth. The Commission on Dietetic Registration also predicts that salaries will increase as more qualified candidates enter the job market.
• Does this program offer electives?

  This master’s program offers areas of concentration. Students will take the five core courses and five courses chosen from one of two concentrations, but they are able to take courses and electives from the other concentration.
• Does this program provide education components for the Certified Nutrition Specialist credential?

  Yes, this master of science in nutrition is recognized as one of the educational programs for the academic portion of the Certified Nutrition Specialist credential.
• Is this online program accredited?

  Yes, this master’s program has gone through the accreditation process and is fully accredited.
• Does this program include a research project?

  Students are able to complete a research project and thesis if they choose. There are limits to the type of research project that is allowed, since the program is 100% online.
• What would be the difference in career focus between the Biochemical and Functional Nutrition concentration and the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention concentration?

  While both concentrations deepen your knowledge of human nutrition, the Biochemical and Functional Nutrition concentration would be more beneficial for careers in clinical dietetics, clinical nutrition, or personal nutrition and the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention concentration would support careers in general dietetics, nutrition education, or health and wellness.
• Does this program cover food science?

  This program examines the interface of food science and the biochemistry of human nutrition.
• Can this program help me get a nutrition or dietetic internship?

  Yes, our program provides a solid foundation of the biochemical and molecular relationships between dietary intake and the disease process. Dietetic internships recognize that individuals who have earned a master degree in nutritional sciences in addition to their verification statement are well prepared to apply their knowledge in practice.
• Who can take this program?

  Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this program: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this program in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.