Do you love learning about nutrition? Are you eager to share your passion with other individuals and your community? AU’s online Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition Education offers a unique dual focus ensuring you graduate with sound nutrition knowledge coupled with practical behavior change theories. You will dive deep into the science of nutrition—macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, lifecycle nutrition—and use behavior change strategies and program design to support better nutrition choices.
Choose the best master's for students seeking an education-focused program over a clinical path—all in an accessible, on-your-schedule learning community.
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What’s in a name? Earning a master’s degree from AU’s MSNE program says you’ve proven yourself at the highest academic and intellectual level. With a flexible online curriculum refined over 10+ years by top-tier faculty, you can be confident you are achieving one of the best master’s in nutrition education possible.
Our students are diverse changemakers passionate about improving lives through nutrition education. They come from various backgrounds and career stages, enriching discussion-based learning with their unique skills. Many do not have formal nutrition education, but what unites them is a desire to understand nutrition science and make a positive impact.
The Nutrition Education master’s program provides flexible options to meet your needs and interests.
Dive into a world where nutrition meets exceptional education with American University's online Master of Science in Nutrition Education. This program covers essential topics like life cycle nutrition, vitamins and minerals, nutrition research, and health communication. Tailor your degree to your interests even more by choosing two electives. You'll learn to design impactful programs, promote behavior change, and apply nutrition education methods to make the greatest impact.
Get ready for hands-on, scientifically-driven coursework designed to propel your career as a leader in nutrition education. Join us, learn from well-respected faculty, and transform your curiosity into expertise!
30 credit hours of approved graduate work broken out into: 24 credits of required courses and 6 credits of electives:
Choose 2 electives:
See complete course descriptions and admission and curriculum requirements in Curriculum and Requirements.
The Global Wellness Institute projects an 8.6% average annual growth of the wellness economy, increasing to $8.5 trillion in 2027. The size of the Healthy Eating, Nutrition, and Weight Loss sector at $1,079 billion ranks number 2 out of 11 sectors making up the wellness economy1. All this growth increases employment opportunities. In 2019, 84% of large employers (200+ workers) providing health benefits offered a workplace wellness program, such as those to help people lose weight, stop smoking, or provide lifestyle and behavioral coaching2. The U.S. Corporate Wellness Market is expected to grow to $16 billion by 2029, with a 6% compound annual growth rate3. With an MSNE degree, you are perfectly poised to seize diverse and thriving industry opportunities. The average median salaries for related roles include:
In addition, many of our graduates go on to pursue further credentials or training:
Organizations employing our recent graduates include
For more job examples and career path options, see our expanded Career Pathways page.
Complete AU’s online nutrition master's degree and you will be prepared to translate research into practice, develop effective nutrition education programs, and remove barriers to lasting behavior change.
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Most graduate students receive financial support. There are merit-based tuition awards and stipends for being a teaching assistant. In a typical academic year, around 64% of our students receive some level of AU funding through research or teaching. Of those not supported by AU, 25% were funded by other sources. For more details, please check Graduate Funding resources or contact our graduate admissions coordinators.
The American University MS in Nutrition Education stands out by blending deep nutrition science knowledge with practical behavior change strategies. This unique dual approach prepares graduates to design and launch innovative healthy eating programs that make a real difference in communities. Our alumni don't just understand nutrition—they become dynamic educators and leaders who promote healthy living at individual, organizational, and societal levels.
Plus, earning a master’s degree from American University means the quality of your academic experience stands out from the competition with hands-on faculty. Join us to turn your passion for nutrition into impactful action!
Application deadlines vary by semester. GRE scores are no longer required to apply. Contact our admissions staff for the specific deadline for your application. Decisions are typically made within two weeks of application submission.
Fall semester starts in August, spring semester in January.
Admission requirements for the Master’s in Nutrition Education include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Your bachelor’s degree may be in any subject, and you are not required to have any nutrition or science background. GRE scores are no longer required.
Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be admitted with provisional status. Students admitted provisionally must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 after completing the first 9 credit hours of graduate study at American University or they will be academically dismissed.
The graduate admissions can assist with your submission and answer questions about your application status.
We may accept up to 6 credit hours of graduate work from another institution that applies directly to the MS in Nutrition Education degree. Transfer credits from another institution must be approved by the admissions team.
Graduates obtain jobs in diverse workplaces such as private practices, nonprofits, schools, community organizations, government, and healthcare. For more details see the Career Outlook section above or our expanded MSNE Career Pathways page.
No, this program does not prepare you to be a registered dietitian; RD programs require significantly more credit hours, science/nutrition prerequisites, and in-person internships or practicums. These requirements aren’t necessary to work in nutrition education in nonclinical settings.
However, as of January 2024, a Masters degree is required to earn the RDN credential, and this program fulfills that requirement. Also, there are currently registered dietitians in this program for professional development and career advancement into leadership roles.
This program provides a stepping stone to the Certified Nutrition Specialist® ™ credential. Additional coursework in clinical nutrition, bio/life sciences, and biochemistry, beyond what is included in this program, as well as supervised practice experience, are necessary for CNS® eligibility.
Yes. When you complete the program you are qualified to apply to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) exam. With one year of wellness experience plus your MSNE, you’ll qualify to apply for the Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) credential from the National Wellness Institute. Contact your admissions advisor for more information.
Yes. The 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Education includes 6 online courses and can be completed in 1 year. The curriculum includes coursework in lifecycle nutrition, vitamins and minerals, nutrition education methods, and more. If you choose to pursue the graduate certificate, and decide to apply to the MS in Nutrition Education program in the future, you may be able to share some of the credits.
Students who pursue the MSNE program before they’ve completed 12 credits of certificate coursework can transfer all certificate credits toward their MS degree. Those who decide to pursue the MSNE after completing 12 credits or more of certificate coursework can transfer 6 credits. Contact an admissions advisor for complete details.
Yes, most AU campus offices and student services now cater to online students too. From the library and Office of Information Technology to the writing center and career center, all offer online appointments. Online students can easily request a Student ID online to take advantage of all the same resources as our on-campus students.
Plan to spend an average of 15-20 hours a week on coursework. This typically involves reading, composing discussion posts, engaging in student projects, studying, and completing assignments. Naturally, students less familiar with nutrition may spend more time studying than those with prior nutrition knowledge.
The best part? You choose when to be online. Our flexible, asynchronous learning program fits around your life, not the other way around. Online discussions might take longer than in-person chats, but it means hearing more voices, seeing diverse perspectives, and gaining deeper learning. Plus, you have more time to reflect and synthesize the information.
Make the most of this experience. Your short-term efforts pay back “future you” over your lifetime.
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healthstudies@american.edu
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