Master of Science Nutrition (MS)
Advance your understanding of nutritional science and expand your impact in health and wellness. ODU’s online Master of Science in Nutrition is designed for students and professionals with backgrounds in nutrition, dietetics, public health, exercise science, kinesiology, and other health-related fields who want to deepen their expertise in clinical practice, research, and community health.
Your online coursework will strengthen your ability to apply evidence-based nutrition principles in both individual and population-level contexts. Courses are delivered in a flexible, fully online format to support working professionals and graduate students balancing personal and professional commitments.
In this program, you’ll explore topics such as:
- Nutritional science and metabolism
- Clinical and community nutrition
- Cultural responsiveness and inclusive practice
- Public policy and nutrition program leadership
You will choose a concentration in either Community Nutrition or Personalized Nutrition and Wellness to align your studies with your professional interests and long-term goals. While not currently enrolling for our third Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) concentration, applications will be accepted once it achieves candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND (anticipated January 2027). The curriculum blends theoretical foundations with applied learning, preparing you to deliver person-centered care, manage nutrition and food service programs, support public health initiatives, and contribute to policies that promote health and well-being.
To learn more about the Nutrition (M.S.) Program, visit our website HERE
All applicants, independent of the concentration selected, must meet the following:
Degree Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree conferred prior to matriculating as a Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University student.
- If the bachelor’s degree was issued by a U.S. college or university, as a rule, it should be from a regionally accredited institution. However, the program may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
GPA Requirements
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. In cases where an applicant's cumulative GPA is below the 3.0 minimum, reviewers may consider a replacement GPA computed from the most recent 40 semester credit hours of U.S. or Canadian coursework.
Completed Prerequisite Coursework
The applicant has successfully completed the following prerequisite courses with a B- or better:
- Human Anatomy - 3 Credit hours
- Human Physiology - 3 Credit hours
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II - 6 to 8 Credit hours will also be accepted
- Biochemistry – 3 Credit hours
Criminal Background Check
Although Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University does not ask criminal background questions on its applications, all incoming students are subject to a criminal background check in accordance with Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University Policy.
For additional details, please see the Criminal Background Checks Policy section of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University Institutional Handbook.
While these are the minimum requirements, the admissions committee may use discretion in weighing a student’s previous work and/or academic experiencers in determining qualifications for graduate study.
Technical Standards
The essential abilities and skills that candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training associated with the Nutrition (M.S.) Program are referred to as technical standards.
1.0 Observation Skills Technical Standard
1.01 Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory and tactile) in the lecture hall, in clinical and educational settings and online.
2.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, this example:
1. Accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations and other imaging texts.
2.0 Communication Skills Technical Standard
2.01 Demonstrate effective communication skills with professionals of varying cultures, ethnicities and personalities.
2.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
1. Clear, efficient and intelligible articulation of spoken English language.
2. Legible, efficient and intelligible written English language.
3. Accurate and efficient English language reading skills.
4. Accurate and efficient, expressive and receptive communication skills.
5. Ability to accurately follow directions (oral and written).
3.0 Critical Reasoning Skills Technical Standard
3.01 Demonstrate critical reasoning skills, including but not limited to intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.
3.02 Indicators include but are not limited to these examples:
1. Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information.
2. Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain and apply new and learned information.
4.0 Motor and Sensory Function Technical Standard
4.01 Demonstrate sufficient motor and sensory function.
4.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
1. Execute motor movements that demonstrate safety and efficiency in the various learning settings (i.e., classroom, online).
2. Physical stamina sufficient to complete online didactic study, which will include prolonged periods of sitting.
5.0 Behavioral and Social Attributes Technical Standard
5.01 Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a graduate-level academic program.
5.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
1. Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of mental faculties (judgment, orientation, affect and cognition).
2. Ability to develop mature and effective professional relationships with faculty and other members of the educational and healthcare team.
3. Possess personal qualities that facilitate effective therapeutic interactions (compassion, empathy, integrity, honesty, benevolence, confidentiality).
4. Demonstrate impartial motives, attitudes, and values in roles, functions and relationships.
5. Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one’s own emotional needs and responses.
6. Display appropriate flexibility and adaptability in the face of stress or uncertainty in teaching and learning environments.
7. Compliance with standards, policies and practices set forth in the program handbook.
To learn more about the Nutrition (M.S.) Program Admission Requirements, visit our website HERE
To learn more about the Nutrition (M.S.) Concentrations and Curriculum, visit our website HERE.
The Master of Science Nutrition program offers two concentration options: Community Nutrition and Personalized Nutrition and Wellness. Both concentration require a total of 33 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course Schedule | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| NUTR 600 | The Nutrition Profession | 3 |
| NUTR 601 | Nutritional Biochemistry and Nutrigenomics | 3 |
| NUTR 602 | Developmental Nutrition | 3 |
| Spring 1 | ||
| NUTR 603 | Nutritional Assessment and Interpretation | 3 |
| NUTR 604 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| Summer 1 | ||
| NUTR 690 | Applied Nutrition Capstone I | 2 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| NUTR 605 | Advanced Concepts in Nutrition Sciences | 3 |
| NUTR 691 | Applied Nutrition Capstone II | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Community Nutrition Concentration | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| MPHO 614 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| Summer 1 | ||
| NUTR 609 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| NUTR 611 | Community Nutrition, Cultural Competence, and Wellness | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| NUTR 613 | Designing Evidence-based Nutrition Programs | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Personalized Nutrition and Wellness Concentration | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| NUTR 617 | Nutrition Counseling | 3 |
| Summer 1 | ||
| NUTR 615 | Personalized Nutrition and Education | 3 |
| NUTR 616 | Nutrition and Physical Activity | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| NUTR 618 | Principles and Practices of Wellness Behavior | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
- For nutrition professionals
- Designed to be completed in 18 months
- Cohorts start in the Fall semester
While not currently enrolling for our Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) concentration, applications will be accepted once it achieves candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND (anticipated January 2027).
The Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) to open a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), a program that provides the dietetics coursework necessary for an individual to apply to an ACEND accredited dietetic internship or other ACEND accredited supervised practice program, in Fall 2026. Successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Master’s degree from a college or university recognized by USDE or foreign equivalent, and supervised practice/supervised experiential learning from an ACEND-accredited program, lead to eligibility to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)’s credentialing examination for dietitians.
Our eligibility application was accepted by ACEND, and we are in the candidacy process for our proposed program. The program is not accepting applications at this time but will do so upon successful completion of the eligibility application process if the program receives candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND.
For more information about the ACEND accreditation standards review the 2022 ACEND Accreditation Standards.
Contact Salvatore Carbone, PhD, RDN (Program Director) at scarbone@odu.edu or 757-446-7149 for more information.
To learn more about the Nutrition (M.S.) Program , visit our website HERE.