Get Ready for a Life of Meaning and Achievement 

Studying nutrition at Dominican University will teach you how to help solve some of the world’s most challenging nutritional and health issues. Ideal for both experienced and entry-level professionals, this program offers a strong foundation in community nutrition, using innovative and engaging teaching strategies. As a student in our program, you’ll study evidence-based practices while developing the skills and knowledge to set yourself apart as a leader. 

Advance in a Rapidly Growing Career Field

At Dominican University, you’ll be positioned for ongoing achievement in one of the fastest-growing parts of the health and wellness sector.  
 

High Demand Positions

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7 percent through 2033.

Competitive Salary

The median pay for dietitians was $73,850 in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dominican’s Master of Science in Nutrition Program Overview

  • Time to complete: three semesters and a summer session
  • Full- and part-time status available
  • 30 credit hours total
  • Majority of courses are offered online
  • Academic advising is available to help you achieve required academic and professional milestones in the program
  • Your faculty advisor will focus on career planning to ensure that your elective coursework is tailored to your professional goals
  • You may qualify for a waiver of the GRE
  • If you are interested in completing the supervised practice to meet the requirements to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians, you can instead apply to our MS in Nutrition with Coordinated Program in Dietetics.

Influenced by Nutrition

A successful social media influencer, Samar Kullab uses the knowledge she gained at Dominican to share evidence-based nutritional tips
 

What You’ll Learn

As a graduate of Dominican’s program, you’ll enter the profession with a deep understanding of the complex role of nutrition in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. You’ll receive hands-on opportunities to work with diverse low-income families and provide nutrition education while being instructed in evidence-based practices and developing leadership skills. You will also be well-prepared for a wide range of research, counseling and communication, public health, and community-based opportunities in this important and burgeoning field.

A Snapshot of Your Studies

18 hours of core nutrition courses:

  • NUTR 508 Research Methods I
  • NUTR 510 Food, Health, and Social Justice
  • NUTR 511 Counseling and Health Communications
  • NUTR 512 Multicultural Approaches to Population Health
  • NUTR 513 Research Methods II
  • NUTR 514 Advanced Metabolism 

12 hours of elective coursework in nutrition and other related disciplines:

  • NUTR 509 Advanced Clinical Nutrition
  • Brennan School of Business
  • School of Education
  • School of Information Studies
  • School of Social Work

Learn more about our curriculum.

Find out which program is best for you! Check out our pathways (pdf opens in a new window) to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Dominican University.

The Dominican Difference

The university’s outstanding Department of Nutrition Sciences prepares students for ethical service in a wide range of rewarding careers. Students gain a strong foundation in the physical, biological, and social sciences, and come to understand the social and psychological dimensions of human nutrition.

Since 2007, our mission has been to prepare dietetic students for the RD exam through our coordinated and certificate programs. In keeping with the humanistic tradition of Dominican University, the Department of Nutrition Sciences strives to provide a stimulating learning environment that will increase depth of knowledge, enrich diversity, and prepare students for post-graduate experiences, advanced degree programs, and entry-level employment in the nutrition and dietetics field.

Program Options

Find more opportunities to study nutrition and dietetics with our coordinated and certificate programs.

MS in Nutrition with Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a master’s degree for entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. As a student in our program, you’ll not only meet the requirements to advance your career—you’ll also prepare to create meaningful impact in any community. Dominican’s program will position you for ongoing achievement in one of the fastest-growing parts of the health and wellness sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7 percent through 2033.

Individuals with a Master of Science in Nutrition can work in a wide range of settings:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Schools
  • Local, state, and federal government health departments
  • Community organizations
  • Private practice
  • Businesses and marketing organizations
  • Food industries
  • Regulatory agencies
  • Nutrition communications and consulting firms

The process for financing a degree can seem daunting, but you do have options. A 20% tuition discount is also available to Dominican University alumnae/i. Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more. 

We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or via email at finaid@dom.edu(link sends email).

All applicants must submit the following:

  • Online application for admission
  • Personal Statement explaining your personal and professional goals*
  • Current resume, please include a list of volunteer experiences with dates, organization and description of volunteer work
  • Official transcripts documenting a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and an official transcript from each college attended
  • For those who wish to pursue the MS program, but do not have a nutrition-related bachelor’s degree, completion of the courses listed below (with a grade of B- or greater) is required prior to starting the MS program at Dominican University (DU). These classes can be taken at DU or another institution. However, they must be approved for transfer before enrolling.
    • MATH 211 Principles of Statistics
    • NUTR 250 Nutrition
    • NUTR 290 Nutritional Biochemistry
    • NUTR 409 Community Nutrition
    • NUTR 425 Nutrition in Human Development
  • Recommended that a minimum of 3.0 grade-point average is required for general admission
  • Two letters of recommendation: at least one letter from an academic reference and one from a professional reference
  • An acceptable GRE score for applicants with a GPA below a 3.0. 

International Students 
International students requiring an I-20 or DS 2019 may not apply, since this program is offered primarily online. 

Admission Review 
Applications will be reviewed in April through August for fall admission. 

*Please explain your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree from Dominican University, your interests in dietetics, short- and long-term career goals and what contributions you would make to the field. Please share how your background, experience, interest and values, when combined with the MS degree and supervised practice, will help you pursue your goals successfully.

For more information,
please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission
Enrollment Management
gradinfor@dom.edu(link sends email)
Rose Ann Mathai, PhD, RDN
Associate Professor and Chair
Borra College of Health Sciences, Nutrition Sciences
rmathai@dom.edu(link sends email)

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