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Health Sciences

College of Education and Professional Studies

Master of Science in Nutrition

About our MS in Nutrition

A Master of Science in Nutrition helps you explore nutrition at an advanced level. The goal of the program is to prepare you to enter the workforce as a specialist in nutrition or to prepare for your continued education at the doctoral level.  

Preparing you for a future in professional or academic settings, our nutrition graduate program gives you opportunities to develop skills in writing, public speaking, research, and experience attending various conferences. 

The program offers small classes, providing you with a chance to work closely with faculty. This structure and community help you create connections that will outlast graduation. You will also have the opportunity to conduct original research.  For more information, reference our MS Nutrition handbook. 
Health Science Lecture with Skull

“We provide that real-world component of training that ensures students get what they need... they’re exposed to equipment and its use so that when they go out in the field, they’re already familiar with it. We try to make the transition from education to experience as seamless as possible, so our students can go out there and be immediately effective.” 

-Ethan Bergman, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition

Program Highlights  

Where is this program offered?  

Ellensburg
Online 
Hybrid 

How much does this program cost?  

Find out how much this program costs through the registrar

Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are available to outstanding applicants in the two-year thesis option. Students teach discussion sections of the Nutrition 101 course as well as undergraduate food laboratory courses. Students may also assist the faculty in other courses, grading, and research. 

  • Assistantship Awards valued at $20k+  
  • Approximate value and includes a stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance

Careers and Outcomes   

Whether you want to pursue a career implementing your expertise as a dietitian or teaching at a university, our MS in Nutrition prepares you for life after graduation.

  • The average annual wage for a DietitAN and Nutritionist is $65,620. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area is ranked #6 in Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Dietitians and Nutritionists: $69,030
  • Pursuing academics will benefit the next generation of students studying nutrition. The average annual wage for a Postsecondary Health Specialties Teacher is $133,310. Washington ranked #1 in Top paying states for Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary: $167,290  

Degree Information

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in nutrition or related field  
  • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (last 90 credits)  
  • GRE (scores above 25th percentile are recommended) *Due to Covid-19, the GRE Requirement is currently waived*
  • Three letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a faculty member  
  • A written statement of purpose/personal statement, identifying research interests, program interests  

Generally speaking, most applicants have completed an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).

We prepare students through our FSN, Dietetics Specialization for eligibility. Applicants with degrees outside of Nutrition are encouraged to apply. However, these applicants who also seek to complete the DPD requirements to qualify for later admission to a DI, should consider completing those courses as a post-baccalaureate student at CWU, prior to admission into the graduate program.   

For information regarding admission requirements, required and elective courses, please reference the 2022-2023 Graduate Academic Catalog.  

Please see CWU Graduate School for more information. 

Thesis

  • 2-year program  
  • Includes a paid Graduate Assistantship for both academic years 
  • A thesis encourages students towards a greater understanding of what they're capable of. Your thesis will answer a specific research question and contribute to the greater field of nutrition.  

Project

  • 14-month program 
  • A project demonstrates the ability to conduct a research study, complete a thorough review of a nutrition topic, or complete and submit a competitive research or project grant.  
  • In contrast to a thesis research study, the project research study may often be considered a preliminary or pilot study. 

Contact Information:

Dr. Kelly Pritchett
Director of Nutrition Graduate Program
Office 302-I Extension: x2786
kelly.pritchett@cwu.edu 

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