Credits required
45-47 Oregon State University is on a quarter-term system. There are four quarters each year and classes are 11 weeks long. This program's 45-47 quarter credits are equal to 30-31.33 semester credits.*
Cost per credit
$582 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
Delivery
Choice This program is available either online or in a hybrid format that requires one year of online coursework and one year of a site-based internship in Oregon. View the curriculum.‡
Start term
Varies Program start term varies. The advanced dietetics option accepts students each term, while the professional option only admits students for fall term. View admissions information for more details.§
Overview Curriculum Admissions Tuition & Fees Contact Us

Master of Science in Nutrition

Overview | Curriculum | Admissions | Tuition & Fees | Contact Us

Curriculum

Grounded in science, research and applied practice, the courses in Oregon State’s Master of Science in Nutrition online will deepen your understanding of nutrition and dietetics practice. Coursework includes medical nutrition therapy, biostatistics, public health, health systems, counseling and program management. 

Advanced practice coursework builds on the knowledge you’ve developed as an undergraduate and in dietitian jobs. Each course will help prepare you to care for your patients and your community with up-to-date research and best practices in nutrition.

Degree requirements

A total of 44 quarter credits in the advanced option and 46 in the professional option are required to graduate with your master’s degree in nutrition. 

Degree requirements and curriculum information are available on Oregon State's academic catalog.

Specialization options

The professional dietetics option includes an ACEND-accredited, supervised practice internship completed on-site in Oregon. You’ll emerge qualified to sit for the registered dietitian nutritionist exam.

The advanced dietetics option allows distance learners intending to become registered dietitians to study online without traveling to Oregon to graduate. To sit for your RDN exam, you’ll still need to complete an ACEND-accredited, supervised internship. But you’re in charge of where and when it takes place.

If you’re already working as a registered dietitian, the advanced dietetics option allows you to obtain your master’s degree and sharpen your skills without completing an internship.

Sample course topics

  • Advanced medical nutrition therapy
  • Introduction to biostatistics
  • Health systems organization 
  • Public health impact 
  • Linear regression in public health 
  • Research in nutrition and dietetics 
  • Food and nutrition program management and evaluation 
  • Dietary behavior and counseling 

Additional program features

Internship and licensure

The professional dietetics option culminates in a supervised practice internship accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). You’ll work 40 hours per week in Oregon. With your education and internship, you’ll be qualified to sit for your RDN exam and get the license you need to work and serve your patients.  Oregon State students have a 97% exam pass rate, proving the value of this program and internship opportunity.

The advanced dietetics option includes no internship. You can still earn an RDN license after completing an internship, but you’re in control over when and where it takes place. 

State of Colorado: This program requires an internship. Although Oregon State University participates in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), due to Colorado’s Workers’ Compensation Act, we have limited authorization to offer programs that require internships in the state of Colorado. The Colorado internship site must provide workers’ compensation. In some cases, a proposed internship site may not provide workers’ compensation insurance and, as a result, is not available as an internship site. Please contact Shannon Riggs, associate vice provost for educational programs and learning innovation, with questions.

Capstone

Instead of a traditional thesis, you’ll complete a capstone project to complete your master’s degree. This project can be tailored to your coursework, internship or workplace and your area of interest as an RDN. 

Networking opportunities

Many faculty are registered dietitians who sit on state boards and are involved in current practice- and industry-relevant organizations. Students will join a strong alumni base in Oregon, as many active dietitians were trained in programs at Oregon State. Opportunities for professional connections are plentiful. 

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Important dates

These are the start dates for OSU’s next two terms. The advanced dietetics option accepts students each term, while the professional option only admits students for fall term.

Spring term starts
March 30
Summer term starts
June 22

See our academic calendar for our full quarter term schedule.