Academics

Curriculum – Accelerated Bachelor to Master of Science in Nutrition

During the three-year online or in-person Accelerated Bachelor to Master of Nutrition program at NUNM, students complete a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses, with the curriculum divided into undergraduate courses in the first year, a blend of undergraduate and graduate courses in the second year, and all graduate courses in the final four quarters. All students complete a capstone project in the final two terms.  

The curriculum is rooted in the philosophy that “Food is Medicine,” focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and traditional diets. You will gain a robust scientific foundation through courses in natural sciences, such as anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics. Simultaneously, students develop research skills, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and effective communication. The curriculum further emphasizes interpersonal growth, cultural competency, self-reflection, and self-management.

This comprehensive program prepares you for a career in nutrition and holistic health and offers undergraduate and graduate-level nutrition elective courses to deepen your knowledge in specific areas of interest. 

Curriculum by Year

Year One

Fall See Course Descriptions 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
IM 321 Critical Thinking for Pre-Health Professionals 3.00 
NS 311 Anatomy and Physiology Lecture & Lab 5.00 
NU 310 Fundamentals of Nutrition 4.00 
NU 314 Culinary Skills 2.00 
NU 313 Fundamentals of Nutrition Workshop 1.00 
First-Year Fall Total Credits 15.00 

Winter See Course Descriptions 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
NS 324 Organic Chemistry I with Lab 3.00 
NU 312 American Food Systems 3.00 
SS 321 Culture, Identity and Emotion 3.00 
SS 331 Advanced Writing and Self-Reflective Skills 3.00 
Undergraduate or Graduate level electives* 3.00 
First-Year Winter Total Credits 15.00 

Spring See Course Descriptions 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
NS 334 Organic Chemistry II with Lab 3.00 
NU 322 Nutritional Anthropology 3.00 
SS 332 Intercultural Communication Skills 3.00 
Undergraduate or Graduate level electives* 3.00 
First-Year Spring Total Credits 12.00 

First-Year Total Credits: 42 

Year Two

Summer See Course Descriptions 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
NU 301 Farm to Table 2.00 
NS 401 Biochemistry for Life Sciences 4.00 
Second-Year Summer Total Credits 6.00 

Fall See Course Descriptions (**As a graduate course, students will be charged the graduate cost per credit) 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
GSN 516** Pathophysiology 3.00 
GSN 590** Professional Development I 1.00 
IM 411 Health Psychology and Mind-Body Medicine 3.00 
NS 411 Biostatistics for Pre-Health Majors 3.00 
NS 412 Scientific and Professional Communication 3.00 
NS 413 Introduction to Research Methods 3.00 
Second-Year Fall Total Credits 16.00 

Winter See Course Descriptions (**As a graduate course, students will be charged the graduate cost per credit) 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
GSN 505** Healing Foods I Lecture 2.00 
GSN 506** Healing Foods I Practicum 2.00 
GSN 515** Nutritional Assessment 3.00  
NS 321 Genetics 4.00  
NS 421 Evidence-Based Practice for Pre-Health Professionals 3.00 
SS 421 Ethics and Philosophical Dilemmas 3.00 
Second-Year Winter Total Credits 17.00 

Spring See Course Description*These are all graduate courses and will be charged at the graduate cost per credit for the remainder of the accelerated BScN to MScN program*
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
GSN 524 Medical Nutrition Therapy 3.00 
GSN 528 Health Coaching 2.00 
GSN 529 Applied Medical Nutrition Therapy 2.00 
NU 531 Whole Food: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition 4.00 
NU 532 Nutritional Epidemiology 4.00 
Second-Year Spring Total Credits 15.00 

Second-Year Total Credits: 54 

Year Three 

Summer See Course Description 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
GSN 591 Professional Development II 2.00 
Undergraduate or Graduate level electives* 2.00 
Third-Year Summer Total Credits 4.00 

Fall See Course Descriptions 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
GSN 534 Cultural Humility and Food Justice 2.00 
GSN 536 Gut Microbiome 2.00 
GSN 563 Business of Nutrition 2.00 
GSN 690 Capstone Preparation 1.00 
Undergraduate or Graduate level electives* 2.00 
Third-Year Fall Total Credits 9.00 

Winter See Course Descriptions 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
GSN 517 Psychology of Eating 2.00 
GSN 691 Capstone I: Internship 2.00 
OR 
GSN 697 Capstone I: Directed Study 2.00 
Undergraduate or Graduate level electives* 4.00 
Third-Year Winter Total Credits 8.00 

Spring See Course Descriptions 
Course Catalog  Course  Credits 
GSN 509 Community Nutrition and Food Policy 2.00 
GSN 526 Lifecycle Nutrition 3.00 
GSN 692 Capstone II: Internship 2.00 
OR  
GSN 698 Capstone II: Directed Study 2.00 
Undergraduate or Graduate level electives*4.00 
Third-Year Spring Total Credits 11.00 

Third-Year Total Credits: 32 

Total Core Credits: 110 (Undergraduate: 66 | Graduate: 44) 

Total Elective Credits: 18 (Undergraduate: 6 | Graduate: 12) 

Total Required Credits: 128