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Online Master's in Food and Nutrition Studies
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Online Master's in Food and Nutrition Sciences

This 100% online option is perfect for working professionals and great for students who can't be physically present in Athens, prefer online learning, or are currently seeking a self-paced program with the flexibility to finish in one year (or take one course per year until done).

  • Flexible Learning: Our 100% online program is ideal for working professionals and individuals who require a self-paced learning experience. You can complete your degree in as few as 12 months or take courses at your own pace.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum: This program offers core coursework that covers essential topics such as diet and chronic disease, statistics, and research.
  • Customization: Tailor your education with student-chosen electives, deepening your knowledge in food and nutrition or pursuing a complementary graduate certificate.
  • Thesis Not Required: For those not interested in research careers, this program does not require a thesis.
  • Diverse Topics: Explore a wide range of subjects, from gut microbiome to sports nutrition, regardless of your chosen format.
  • Supportive Services: Access academic advisors and writing assistance, ensuring a seamless educational experience.

Comprehensive Support and Career Readiness

We understand that every student's path is unique. Whether you choose online or on-campus, you will benefit from our comprehensive professional development services. These services include academic advising, writing assistance, and more, ensuring you have the support you need to succeed. Upon program completion, you'll be well-prepared to advance your career in nutrition, dietetics, entrepreneurship, the medical field, or beyond.

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Related Programs

Ohio University offers an on-campus Food and Nutrition Sciences Master's Program as well as a Combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship.

View all Food and Nutrition Sciences Graduate Programs

Costs and Financial Aid

When you choose OHIO, you’re getting the competitive tuition rates of a state university, but with the personalized attention and support you might expect from a private school. In fact, for the fourth consecutive year we were named the best value among Ohio’s public universities by U.S. News & World Report.

Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency and program.

OHIO Online Incentive Scholarship

Students who are active or veteran military members, Ohio University alumni, or employees of corporate partners are automatically eligible to receive a 15% incentive scholarship towards tuition for this program.

OHIO Online Incentive Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this program make me eligible to become a registered dietitian?

If you have your verification statement*, then this program will meet the master’s degree requirement for dietetic internships. You may sit for the RD exam following the completion of this M.S. and a dietetic internship.

If you do not have a verification statement, then the online program alone will not make you eligible for a dietetic internship or the RD exam. We do offer a verification pathway through our on-campus M.S. program in Food and Nutrition Sciences upon completion of which you will earn your M.S. degree along with a verification statement. A hybrid format (partly online and partly on-campus) can be devised for students not able to be on campus full time.

*A verification statement is an official document that certifies that a student has completed the dietetics coursework required to be eligible for a dietetic internship.

Am I eligible to apply if my undergraduate degree is not in nutrition or the sciences?

Yes, the program accepts applications from non-nutrition or non-science majors. We do recommend that you have completed at least 12 undergraduate science credits to provide some foundational knowledge for undertaking a science-based graduate program such as this one. 

Is this program compatible with stand-alone dietetic internships?

Yes, the program offers a flexible program of study and the course load per semester can be balanced based on the internship schedule. Several students have already completed our M.S. program successfully alongside their dietetic internship.  

I am a full-time working professional. Is this program right for me?

Yes, the program is 100% online, asynchronous and self-paced offering a high degree of flexibility for working professionals. It also has a class format that helps to spread out course load for enhanced manageability when taking multiple classes.

How long does the program take for completion?

The program is self-paced, and the timeline and course map are customized for each student. The fastest time the program can be completed in is a year (3 semesters). This requires a course load of around 4 classes per semester. Full-time working professionals typically complete the program in 4-6 semesters enabling a balance of work and school responsibilities. There is no maximum time for completion, and you make take as few as one course a year.

Can I pursue the degree part-time?

Yes, you can pursue the program part-time. The program is self-paced, and you can choose to take as little as one class per year.   

Do I have to show up for classes at a specific time?

All classes in the online program are asynchronous, which means you are not expected to attend classes at a specific time. Course content and related assignments are made available to students to complete anytime during a specified window (typically a week).

Students may be requested to attend some class meetings synchronously, but these are usually arranged at a time that most students can attend (e.g. after regular working hours). 

Am I eligible for financial aid?

Students may be eligible for financial aid if they are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a given semester. 9 credit hours per semester is considered a full-time graduate student. 

What kind of jobs can I get after program completion?

This program will qualify you for any job that requires an M.S. degree in Nutrition. Specific job function will also depend on your undergraduate degree. Examples of possible roles include nutrition scientists or managers in the food or supplement industry, university teaching faculty, clinical research or regulatory positions, health and nutrition managers for community or professional organizations, nutrition content writers and entrepreneurs, among others.

Examples of past program graduates’ careers include registered dietitian, nutritionist, food product marketing, and nutrition consulting/entrepreneurship. Other graduates are pursuing further education such as dietetic internship and medical school. 

Does the program require GRE for admission?

No, the online M.S. program does not need GRE scores for admission.

Program Contact

Please fill out the request info form on this page to receive more information about this program. 

If you have further questions about the program, please reach out to the program director:

Vatsala Maitin
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Food and Nutrition Sciences
maitin@ohio.edu