Nutrition, M.S.

School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences

Program Overview

The Master of Science degree in nutrition provides advanced-level study of nutritional science and clinical nutrition. The program addresses the academic interests of individuals who wish to become leaders in the field of nutrition.

Nutrition, M.S.

Where You'll Go

The M.S. degree can help you assume positions of greater responsibility in the field of nutrition. Careers in nutrition include positions as clinical nutritionists, nutrition educators, administrators of programs that provide nutrition services in commercial or institutional settings, nutritionists in community-based or private practice settings, and researchers or interpreters of research in academia, government, industry, medical institutions, or mass media.

Program Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Program Description

The Master of Science degree in nutrition provides advanced-level study of nutritional science and clinical nutrition. The program addresses the academic interests of individuals who wish to become nutrition educators, administrators of programs that provide nutritional services, nutritionists in community centers or private practice, researchers, or interpreters of research for the public.

The M.S. program by itself does not lead to the credentials of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or New York State Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (CDN). Students interested in obtaining these credentials may use a number of the courses in the M.S. program, as well as the courses that are prerequisites to the program, toward meeting the requirements of an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Admission to the Brooklyn College, graduate level Dietetic Internship is by separate application and is not guaranteed by acceptance to the M.S. program.

Prerequisites for application to the M.S. program can be met by students whose baccalaureate degrees are in fields other than nutrition by taking specified courses. Contact the graduate deputy chair for advisement on prerequisites for the M.S. program, and the DPD director for advisement concerning the DPD and Dietetic Internship.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must offer undergraduate or graduate courses in general biology, physiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, nutrition, biochemistry or nutritional chemistry, statistics, and medical nutrition therapy. General matriculation and admission requirements of Graduate Studies are in the section “Admission.”

Program Requirements (36 Credits)

Thirty-six credits are required for the degree. Students must complete the following required core courses:

Health and Nutrition Sciences 7210X, 7211X, 7213X, 7230X, 7241X, and 7931X. Students must receive a minimum grade of B in each of these courses or approval of the graduate deputy chair for nutrition in order to qualify for the comprehensive examination or thesis; courses may be repeated if necessary.

A minimum of 18 additional credits is required. Students may choose among the following courses: Health and Nutrition Sciences 7120X or 7244X, 7183X, 7200X, 7201X, 7212X, 7221X, 7231X, 7232X, 7233X, 7234X, 7240X, 7243X, 7250X, 7935X, 7999X. Students who choose a thesis as the exit requirement must complete Health and Nutrition Sciences 7935X and 7999X as elective courses (six elective credits). Only students accepted to the Dietetic Internship may use HNSC 7200X and 7201X as elective courses.

Students in the M.S. in nutrition program interested in applying to the Dietetic Internship (DI) accredited by ACEND must have completed 30 credits, including all required courses and Heath and Nutrition Sciences 7240X prior to the start of the internship.

Dietetic Interns must register for the following courses: Health and Nutrition Sciences 7200X, 7201X, 7202X, and 7203X. HNSC 7202X and 7203X will not be applied as electives toward M.S. in nutrition degree requirements.

Separate applications must be made to the DI and to the M.S. program in nutrition. Students must pass a comprehensive examination or submit a thesis acceptable to the department. Students who choose to write a thesis must complete Health and Nutrition Sciences 7935X and 7999X. Information about the requirements for the comprehensive examination and thesis is in the section “Academic Regulations and Procedures.”

Dietetic Internships (DI)

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) at Brooklyn College is a two-semester program that provides the supervised practice experience required to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) examination. Students must be enrolled in the M.S. in nutrition program or the M.A. in community health (foods and health equity) program to be eligible for the DI, and they must file a separate application through DICAS (Dietetic Internship Central Application System). Students who have completed a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) from an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics)-accredited program may also apply to the Brooklyn College Dietetic Internship (DI). Completion of 24 credits in the M.A. food and health equity program is required prior to the start of the DI program. The DI provides students with six elective credits and the supervised practice needed to sit for the Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Apply scientific knowledge to critically assess nutrition information and indicators of nutrition status.
  • Demonstrate analytical and communication skills for diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of scientific research and evidenced based practice for use in the field.
  • Demonstrate the importance of professional behavior, ethics, and human rights.

Admissions Requirements

Rolling admission

  • Fall Application Deadline: July 1
  • Spring Application Deadline: January 1

International Students

  • Fall Application Deadline: March 1
  • Spring Application Deadline: November 1

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one academic; the other may be professional)
  • A one-page essay on your career interests and goals (not personal history)

Required Tests

  • F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Professor Kathleen Axen

4139 Ingersoll Hall
E: kaxen@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5026

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the nutrition M.S. program access to internships at a variety of companies.

In addition, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics–accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) enables students to apply theory and research to practice in clinical, community, and food service settings, thereby enriching their education and preparing them to make significant contributions to the profession.

Brooklyn College nutrition alumni have found employment with many organizations, including:

  • City Harvest
  • CUNY Research Foundation
  • Edible Schoolyard NYC
  • Harlem Children’s Zone
  • Maimonides Medical Center
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Mount Sinai Hospital
  • National Eating Disorders Association
  • New York City Department of Education
  • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • New York City Housing Authority
  • New York-Presbyterian
  • Northwell Health
  • NYC Health + Hospitals
  • NYU Langone Health

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.