M.S. in Human Nutrition

Graduate Program in Human Nutrition

Human Nutrition Graduate Program Overview

The Master of Science in Human Nutrition is designed to create and strengthen advanced competences in the areas of food and nutrition in preparation for a wide variety of professional opportunities, including nutritionists or supervisors in nutrition, doctoral study in nutrition, research, and administrative positions in public and private agencies. 

Program Update: Beginning Fall 2027, the M.S. in Human Nutrition will move to a new 30-unit curriculum. Students admitted before Fall 2027 will continue under the current requirements. Student admitted in Fall 2027 or later will follow the new curriculum. Both are listed below. 

Current Curriculum for the M.S. Degree in Human Nutrition (for students admitted through Spring 2027)


1. Core courses (24 units):

  1. FCS 505 Drug and Nutrient Interactions (3)
  2. FCS 601 Food and Nutrition Policies and Regulations (3)
  3. FCS 606 Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism (3)
  4. FCS 607 Carbohydrates, Lipids and Protein (3)
  5. FCS 609 Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics (3)
  6. FCS 681 Research Methods [To be completed in 1st year] (3)
  7. FCS 682 Research Applications [To be completed in 1st year] (3)
  8. EPC 600 Educational Statistics for Research and Measurement (3)
2. Option courses (21 units):
Option A – Human Nutrition (21 units)
  1. FCS 506 Readings in Human Nutrition (3)
  2. FCS 605 Ethics and Social Justice in Human Nutrition (3)
  3. HHD 595 Leadership/Professional Competencies for Health and Human Development Disciplines (3)
  4. HSCI 587 Seminar: Epidemiology (3)
  5. EPC 451 Fundamentals in Counseling (3)
  6. Choose 6 units of electives:
  7. FCS 409 Geriatric Nutrition (3)
  8. FCS 696C Directed Research (3)
  9. FCS 608 Sports Nutrition (3)
  10. HSCI 534 Lactation Education for the Healthcare Professional (3)
Option B –Dietetic Internship* (21 units)

*As a combined Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Program, both the degree requirements and DI requirements must be met in order for the student to receive a DI verification statement.  

  1. FCS 570 Practicum in Nutrition Therapy (3, 3)
  2. FCS 571 Practicum in Food Service Systems Management (3)
  3. FCS 572 Practicum in Community Nutrition] (3, 3)
  4. FCS 573 Seminar for Dietetic Interns (3, 3)
3. Culminating Experience (3 units):
  1. FCS 697C Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)
  2. FCS 698C Thesis/Project (3)

Total Units Required for the M.S. in Human Nutrition Degree: 48

In order to complete the master’s in human nutrition successfully, the student must:

• Complete all of the courses required by their option
• Earn a grade of B or better in all courses
• Maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 in the program

1. Human Nutrition Core Courses (24 units)

FCS 505 Nutrient and Drug Interactions (3)

FCS 601 Food and Nutrition Policies and Regulations (3)

FCS 605 Ethics and Social Justice in Human Nutrition (3)

FCS 606 Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism (3)

FCS 607 Carbohydrate, Lipid and Protein Metabolism (3)

FCS 609 Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics (3)

FCS 681 Research Methods (3)

FCS 682 Research Applications (3)

2. Electives (3 units)

Select one of the following courses:

  • FCS 409 Geriatric Nutrition (3)
  • FCS 481 Sports Nutrition (3)
  • FCS 696C Directed Graduate Research (3)
  • HSCI 434 Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period (3) or HSCI 534 Lactation Education
  • for the Healthcare Professional (3)
  • HSCI 446 Lactation Education: Postpartum Period (3)
  • SPAN 402 Spanish for Healthcare Professionals (3)

3. Culminating Experience Course (3 units)

  • FCS 697C Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)
  • FCS 698C Thesis/Project (3)

Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 30

In order to complete the Master of Science in Human Nutrition successfully, the student must:

  1. Complete all of the courses required by the program.
  2. Earn a grade of “B” or better in all courses.
  3. Maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 in the program.

For information regarding the application process, please visit Graduate Admissions in Human Nutrition.

For course enrollment in the second or subsequent semester, please contact your academic advisor (committee chair) in your area of study. If you are new to the graduate program or need assistance to identify your academic advisor, please contact the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Yoko Mimura.

At the completion of our MS in Human Nutrition program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competence in research design, statistical methods and ethical conduct in research studies.
  2. Integrate knowledge of macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism into the development of recommendation for populations and individuals in health promotion and disease prevention.
  3. Design and evaluate nutrition interventions utilizing evidenced based practice and application of human nutrition across diverse populations.
  4. Evaluate current U.S. and global nutrition trends and develop an understanding of policy and program development and leadership.

Related Programs and Opportunities

Explore related programs and opportunities in Human Nutrition, including the Dietetic Internship.