Nutrition and Public Health MS

The Nutrition and Public Health master’s degree prepares graduates to translate evidence-based guidelines and best practice recommendations to plan, implement, and evaluate food and nutrition programs and services and develop policy, systems, and environmental-change strategies in government agencies, food and nutrition assistance programs, community non-profit organizations, schools and child care programs, healthcare delivery organizations, and industry. Students take additional electives beyond the core that will especially prepare them to conduct community and individual nutritional assessment and evaluation; program planning and management; coalition building; address structural racism in food access; advocacy; communication; and participation in multidisciplinary teams to provide programs to meet public health needs, or improve the sustainability of food systems, and increase equity. Fieldwork is an essential component of this master’s degree and provides the opportunity through observation, discussion and participation in ongoing programs, to gain a broad understanding of public health and the role of the public health nutritionist.

The degree program is approved by the Association of Faculties of Graduate Programs in Public Health Nutrition. Coursework conforms to the recommendations of that association and is equivalent to one offered by a school of public health.

Master of Science in Nutrition & Public Health

Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist Preparation


The Nutrition and Public Health integrated MS-RDN degree prepares graduates to translate evidence-based guidelines and best practice recommendations to plan, implement, and evaluate food and nutrition programs and services and develop policy, systems, and environmental-change strategies in government agencies, food and nutrition assistance programs, community non-profit organizations, schools and child care programs, healthcare delivery organizations, and industry. Students complete additional courses beyond the core that will prepare them to conduct community and individual nutritional assessment and evaluation; program planning and management; coalition building; address structural racism in food access; advocacy; communication; and participation in multidisciplinary teams to provide programs to meet public health needs, or improve the sustainability of food systems, and increase equity.

The M.S. in Nutrition and Public Health is approved by the Association of Faculties of Graduate Programs in Public Health Nutrition. Coursework conforms to the recommendations of that association and is equivalent to one offered by a school of public health.

How to apply

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Admissions Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024 terms.

Master of Science

  • Points/Credits: 57
  • Entry Terms: Fall Only

Application Deadlines

  • Spring: N/A
  • Summer/Fall (Priority): January 15
  • Summer/Fall (Final): April 1

Supplemental Application Requirements/Comments

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

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Points/Credits: 57

Course Requirements

Integrated Master of Science: General Requirements

The major program emphases are in the fields of Nutrition Education, Nutrition and Public Health, and Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. All three integrated MS-RDN degrees require the following core didactic courses and practicum courses (44 credits):

  • HBSV 4010 Food, Nutrition, and Behavior (3 credits)

  • HBSV 4013 Nutritional Ecology (3 credits)

  • HBSV 4014 Community Nutrition (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5010 Advanced Nutrition 1  (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5011 Advanced Nutrition 2  (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5013 Strategies for Nutrition Education and Health Behavior Change (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5014 Analysis of Current Literature and Research in Nutrition (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5015 Nutritional Epidemiology and Assessment (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5016 Food Service Operations and Management (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5018 Nutrition and Human Development (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5033 Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5034 Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 (3 credits)

  • HBSV 5036 Nutrition Counseling (2 credits)

  • HBSV 5350 Global Foods Practicum (1 credit)

  • HBSV 5351 Community Nutrition Education Practicum (1 credit)

  • HBSV 5352 Medical Nutrition Therapy Practicum 1 (1 credit)

  • HBSV 5353 Medical Nutrition Therapy Practicum 2 (1 credit)

  • HBSV 5354 Advanced Practicum 1  (1 credit)

  • HBSV 5355 Advanced Practicum 2  (1 credit)

All three Master of Science degrees require a substantial integrative departmental project or thesis.

Master of Science: Nutrition and Public Health

Students working toward the 57-credit MS-RDN degree in Nutrition and Public Health will also complete two additional courses: Principles of Epidemiology in Health Promotion (3 credits) and Social Policy and Prevention (3 credits).

The M.S. in Nutrition and Public Health is an approved program of the Association of Faculties of Graduate Programs in Public Health Nutrition. Coursework for the integrated 50-credit MS-RDN degree conforms to the recommendations of that association, so that the degree is equivalent to one offered by a school of public health.

The MS in Nutrition and Public Health prepares graduates to take leadership roles in government, community, and public health agencies, carrying out a variety of planning, instructional, and administrative tasks related to health promotion and disease prevention. These include community and individual nutritional assessment and evaluation, program planning and management, coalition building, and participation in multidisciplinary teams to provide programs to meet public health needs or improve the sustainability of food systems.

Tuition & Fees for integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition and Public Health

The full-time integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition and Public Health consists of 50 credits distributed over two 12-month years as follows:

Year #1:

Fall semester (16 credits)*

January session (1 credit)

Spring semester (12 credits)

Summer session #1 (7  credits)**

Summer session #2 (3  credits)**

Year #2:

Fall semester (13  credits)

Spring semester (4 credits)**

Summer session #1 (1 credit)**

*Two 3.5-credit graduate courses will be completed at Lehman College of the City University of New York. These courses are Ethnic and Therapeutic Meal Patterns and Food Science. These 7 credits are in addition to the 50 credits completed at Teachers College.

**For students who need full-time status, several courses carry additional contact hours for substantial out-of-classroom activities. Despite a low credit total for a few of the semesters, the associated supervised experiential learning hours at various work sites equate to full-time status.

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In addition to the cost of the Teachers College courses**, students should budget for the following:

  • College fee per semester**

  • Course fees ($35 per course)

  • Two 3.5-credit courses at Lehman College (about $650 per credit)

  • Comprehensive physical examination (may include drug testing)**

  • Background check (about $20)

  • Lab coat (about $25)

  • Books and supplies**

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership (about $65)

  • Liability insurance (about $35 per year, issued by Mercer Consumers, Proliability at https://www.proliability.com/)

  • Travel/transportation to work sites, especially during the spring and summer of year #2 (Metro Card, Metro North Railroad, PATH train, Uber/Lyft)**

  • Food and personal expenses**

  • Living expenses (room and board)**

**Information regarding tuition and fees (updated annually) can be found at: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/tuition-and-fees/

Information about financial aid, scholarships, stipends can be found at:  https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/financial-aid/

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