Master of Science in Nutrition Education
Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist Preparation
The Nutrition Education integrated MS-RDN degree prepares graduates to work with individuals and groups in many settings, such as communities, work sites, healthcare facilities, businesses, government and international agencies, visual media, and private practice. Students complete additional courses beyond the core that prepare them to provide culturally competent food and nutrition education in various settings and though various media, to conduct individual and group counseling and patient education, and to participate in programs to improve environmental supports for behavior change. The master's degree also prepares graduates to serve as resource specialists and curriculum developers in schools, communities, non-profit organizations, and universities.
This degree program conforms to the Nutrition Education Competencies for Promoting Healthy Individuals, Communities, and Food Systems set forth by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Admissions Information
Master of Science
- Points/Credits: 50
- Entry Terms: Fall Only
Application Deadlines
- Spring: N/A
- Summer/Fall (Priority): January 15
- Summer/Fall (Final): Rolling
* For details about rolling deadlines, visit our admission deadlines page.
Supplemental Application Requirements/Comments
- Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume
- Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed
- Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)
- $65 Application Fee
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- GRE General Test, MCAT, GMAT, or DAT
Requirements from the TC Catalog
Points/Credits: 50
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:
- HBSV 4010 Food, Nutrition, and Behavior (3 credits)
- HBSV 4013 Nutritional Ecology (3 credits)
- HBSV 4014 Community Nutrition (3 credits)
- HBSV 5010 Advanced Nutrition I (3 credits)
- HBSV 5011 Advanced Nutrition II (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 I (3 credits)
- HBSV 5034 Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 credits)
- HBSV 5036 Nutrition Counseling (2 credits)
- HBSV 5350 Ethnic 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 Medical Nutrition Therapy Practicum 3 (1 credit)
- HBSV 5355 Foods, Community, and Management Practicum (1 credit)
All three Master of Science degrees require a substantial integrative departmental project or thesis.
Master of Science: Nutrition Education
Students working toward the 50-credit integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education will also complete a course titled Eating Disorders: Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment (3 credits) along with a 3-credit elective course focusing on individual and group nutrition education in communities, schools, work sites, health care, and/or mass media settings.
The integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education conforms to the guidelines for the Nutrition Education Competencies for Promoting Healthy Individuals, Communities, and Food Systems set forth by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Tuition & Fees for integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education
The full-time integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education 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 (4 credits)* **
Year #2:
Fall semester (13 credits)
Spring semester (4 credits)**
Summer session #1 (1 credit)**
*Two 4-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 8 credits are in addition to the 50 credits completed at Teachers College.
**For students who need full-time status, a certificate of equivalency will be issued. Despite a low credit total for a few of the semesters, the associated supervised experiential learning hours as part of the practicum courses at various work sites equate to full-time status.
Visit the TC Academic Calendar
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 4-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 $63)
- 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/admissions/tuition-and-fees
Information about financial aid, scholarships, stipends can be found at: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/financial-aid/