Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences

Help Others Live Better: Start With South Carolina State University’s Master’s in Nutritional Sciences

Many of us have become more familiar with terms like food insecurity and food deserts lately. Nutritional science leaders, professionals, and activists across the globe focus on improving access to affordable, nutritious food. 
Earning your master’s in nutritional science degree from South Carolina State University will prepare you to develop solutions for this vital challenge at the global, national, or local level. At SC State, our master’s in nutritional sciences program will provide you with an appreciation for lifelong learning while developing your effective problem-solving skills and preparing you for service to the community. You’ll learn to help people appreciate and develop a healthier diet, reducing chronic health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cancer.

Choose the track that will help you achieve your career goals

South Carolina State’s nutritional science degree allows you to choose from two learning tracks: nutritional health care or food and nutrition. Both options provide you with diverse opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and insights throughout your nutrition master’s degree education.

Method of Instruction

• Hybrid (some in-person and some online classwork)

Master’s in Nutritional Sciences Program Highlights

Whether you’re interested in becoming a nutritionist or dietitian, or working in health care or government agencies, your nutrition master’s degree will position you well to excel in your chosen career path. In fact, starting in 2025, all students who wish to become dietitians must first obtain a master’s degree in nutritional sciences.
Earning your master’s in nutritional sciences degree from South Carolina State offers you a number of advantages, including the ability to:

Earn a uniquely respected, accredited degree

South Carolina State is the only historically black college or university (HBCU) in the state offering a nutrition program nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND is the accrediting agency for programs that prepare students to become registered dietitians, nutritionists, and dietetic technicians.

Learn from faculty who are seasoned professionals

All faculty for the South Carolina State nutritional sciences program are experts in their field and serve as student collaborators and mentors. For example, the coordinator of the program has a Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition and is a National Institutes of Health–funded researcher in obesity and chronic diseases. You’ll gain tremendous insights from learning in small classes, due to our extremely low 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Gain real-world skills and experience in the field

In addition to your nutrition master’s degree classes, you’ll benefit from the skills and expertise you’ll gain through field experiences and experiential learning opportunities. Some of your skills will be developed in our laboratories, while many will be developed at health care and food service facilities in the community.

What Can You Do With a Nutritional Science Degree?

Graduates with an M.S. in Nutritional Sciences degree can provide clinical care in medical practices, hospitals, and government agencies. Nutritionists who hold a master’s degree are also qualified to teach and conduct research.
About 90% of our nutritional sciences graduates gain employment with:

• The Department of Health and Environmental Control in South Carolina, North Carolina, and surrounding states
• Other local, regional, and state health departments
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture 1890 Agriculture Innovation program
• Community nutrition programs

You can leverage your master’s in nutritional sciences degree to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes. You will also be prepared to take on advanced career opportunities and leadership roles in organizations working to improve food security, remove food deserts, and other related challenges. You may choose to work in:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Public health clinics
• Nursing homes
• Fitness centers
• Nutrition development companies
• Colleges and universities
• Research institutions
• Private practice

Master’s in Nutritional Sciences Options and Coursework

Core courses for our nutritional science degree will include:

• Introduction to Data Analysis
• Understanding Educational Research
• Instructional Technology
• Maternal and Child Nutrition
• Nutrition and Aging

You will also choose among a number of elective courses to customize your master’s in nutritional sciences degree program. Your nutrition master’s degree specialization area coursework will be determined by which program option you choose:

Nutritional health care option

This option prepares you to enter various professional programs in the health field, as well as to function effectively as a member or leader of an interdisciplinary health team. You’ll complete additional courses in:

• Clinical Experience in Dietetics
• Nutrition and Mental Retardation and Developmental Disorders

Food and nutrition option

This option will give you in-depth knowledge of the physiological and biochemical aspects of nutrition. The role of social and economic factors as determinants of nutritional practices in relation to physical well-being will be emphasized. You’ll complete additional courses in:

• Nutrition and Health
• Community Nutrition

It is preferred that students entering either of the options possess an undergraduate degree in food and nutrition. However, students with a Bachelor of Science degree in other areas will be admitted.