Nutrition

Master your understanding of human nutrition

The Master of Science in Nutrition at Oregon State University is designed to provide you with advanced training in nutrition through course work and research.

Nutrition research topics are varied and cover areas with an emphasis on molecular, biochemical, physiological and community nutrition as it applies to humans.

Advance your nutrition career

Successful completion of the M.S. in Nutrition will enable you to continue your graduate or professional education or pursue employment in academia, the government or private industry.  

M.S. students wishing to pursue the Ph.D. degree in Nutrition at OSU will need to apply to the nutrition graduate program for consideration for the Ph.D. program.

  Interested in a master's degree combined with accredited dietetics internship?

Prerequisite courses

All entering master’s students are expected to have proficiency in human nutrition (equivalent to NUTR 417 & 418), biochemistry (equivalent to BB 450 & 451) and physiology.  

If you do not have proficiency in one or more of these courses, these courses will be added to your program of study.

Nutrition curriculum

The OSU graduate school requires a minimum of 45 credits beyond the bachelor for the master’s degree. No more than half of the credits in a program of study can be from 'slash' courses (those that are taught at 400/500 levels simultaneously). The curriculum is composed of 500-level 'slash' courses and 500 or 600-level graduate-only courses.

The time limit for completion of the M.S. degree is governed by the Graduate School: “All work toward a master’s degree, including transferred credits, course work, thesis, and all examinations, must be completed within seven (7) years.” See Academic Deadlines.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the MS degree in Nutrition, students will demonstrate:

• Knowledge and scholarship
  Identify and conduct original research and scholarship in the field of nutrition.
• Communication
  Effectively communicate in their field of study.
• Critical thinking and problem solving
  Think critically, creatively and solve problems in their field of study.
• Ethical Conduct
  Conduct research in an ethical and responsible manner.
• Professional Development
  Demonstrate attributes of professional development consistent with the expectation within their field of study.

Special topics courses include:

• Bone Physiology, offered odd years (Winter)
• Neuroendocrine Regulation of Energy Metabolism, offered even years (Winter)
• Advances in Metabolic Disease, odd years (Spring)
• Advances in Cancer Research, offered even years (Spring)

Additional graduate level courses may be added to your program of study. Such additional courses will be determined by the major professor and your graduate committee. A minimum of 45 credits is required to complete the requirements for the MS in Nutrition.

M.S. Nutrition Time Table

Year 1

• Select a major advisor by the end of the 1st year in the program
• Form a graduate advisory committee, meet with the committee and submit the M.S.  Program of Study to the Graduate School before completing 18 graduate credits.
• Begin core curriculum in the NGP
• Complete Graduate Teaching Assistantships during the 1st year in the program
• Initiate M.S. Thesis Research Project (NUTR 503)
• Attend Seminars (NUTR 507)/Symposia/Journal Clubs

Year 2-4

• Complete core curriculum and elective courses in the area of emphasis
• Complete M.S. thesis research
• Attend Seminars (NUTR 507)/Symposia/Journal Clubs/National or Regional meetings
• Give at least 2 professional oral presentation in NUTR 507 or at a national meeting
• Prepare and Defend the M.S. Thesis (NUTR 503)

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