Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics

California State University, Long Beach                                                         Policy Statement 24-15

June 13, 2024
 

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics

(This new state-supported degree was approved by the CSULB Academic Senate on March 28, 2024, approved by the President on April 11, 2024, and approved by the CSU Chancellor’s Office on June 13, 2024.)

The Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics program trains students for becoming Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Our mission will be to train leaders in the field of nutrition who will be problem-solvers and advocates for change in their communities. This program is completed in 19 months, including summer courses.

The program offers two unique pathways into entry:

• Beach EDGE/Blended Track: CSULB undergraduate students pursuing a B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science could apply to the accelerated B.S.-to-M.S Blended Track which would allow for graduate units to double count toward their B.S. and M.S. in the final semester of their undergraduate program (Semester 1 of the GP). On this track, a CSULB student could achieve a B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science, M.S. in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics, and RDN examination readiness within 5 years (first-year students) or 3 years (transfer students), significantly reducing time-to-career.

• Traditional Track: Any current or anticipated bachelor’s degree-holder may apply, as long as they complete prerequisite coursework and meet admission criteria. No accredited nutrition degree is necessary.

In the final two semesters of the program (spring 2 and summer 2) where most of the supervised experiential learning hours occur in the field (i.e., in hospitals, public health facilities, food service kitchens), students may choose a local or distance learning option. Traditional option students will complete their experiential learning hours locally in the Long Beach/Los Angeles area, while distance option students can take didactic coursework online and complete their supervised experiential learning in approved facilities across the state of California.

Admission requirements:

Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Demonstrate an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 undergraduate units attempted.
• Demonstrate writing proficiency. Two options are offered: submission of a writing sample OR a minimum score of 4 on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE.
• A passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL or IELTS) if the applicant's native language is not English and preparatory education was principally in a language other than English.
• Completion or demonstrated plan for completion of pre-requisite coursework, including:
  • College algebra or higher

• Introductory nutrition
• Life course nutrition
• Advanced nutrition and metabolism or biochemistry
• Fundamentals of food preparation
• Food science
• Statistics
• Psychology
• Microbiology
• General chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Additional track-specific criteria:
  • Admission Track 1 – Blended: Must be a senior enrolled and in good standing in the CSULB Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science with readiness to transition into the GP by spring. Submission of a Proposed Plan of Study outlining required courses to be completed in the senior year of B.S. degree signed by student and academic advisor.
  • Admission Track 2 – Traditional: Must have a bachelor's degree or supply an official academic report demonstrating coursework required to finish bachelor’s degree and required pre-requisites. Degree must be conferred by a U.S. institutional accredited college or university. For international degree holders, a formal degree evaluation report from an approved agency will be required.

• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA for all coursework attempted as a graduate student.

To complete degree requirements, students must:

• Take the following required courses (35 units total):
  • NUTR 500
  • NUTR 501
  • NUTR 502
  • NUTR 503
  • NUTR 504
  • NUTR 505
  • NUTR 506
  • NUTR 507
  • NUTR 508
  • NUTR 509
  • NUTR 510
  • NUTR 561
• Take 3 units of any of the following elective courses:
  • NUTR 539
  • NUTR 568/KIN 568
  • NUTR 570
  • NUTR 580
  • H SC 500
  • H SC 507
  • KIN 551
  • KIN 566