With a Master of Science in Nutrition, Food Is Medicine
Studying to earn a degree is an exciting process. You’re juggling the rigors of academics, broadening your intellectual understanding of your chosen field of study, and learning how to balance it all among the many other responsibilities you have in your life.
It’s often stimulating, sometimes challenging, and ultimately rewarding. Along the way — often before even entering a program or attending school — many students ask themselves, “What will I be able to do professionally with this degree?”
With a Master of Science in Nutrition, you have a wide range of career paths to choose from.
Think healthcare, education, business, or public policy. Think consulting, online or in-person courses, or public speaking.
Many Nutritionists with MScN degrees might even integrate some combination of these roles into a robust career where their knowledge of nutritional science can be applied across a wide spectrum of professional interests.
NUNM Makes Achieving a Master of Science In Nutrition Attainable, Marketable
Earning a master’s degree is a big commitment. That’s why NUNM has made a focused effort to create a program that helps students with busy lifestyles and non-school commitments to balance the rigors of their studies, get the education they deserve, and achieve their goals.
At NUNM, you can earn your degree in-person or online over a 2–3 year program that covers clinical, community, culinary, and environmental nutrition, in addition to in-depth studies focusing on nutritional biochemistry, nutrition therapy, and more.
Our Master of Science in Nutrition program doesn’t box you into a single field of study.
We offer two distinct curriculum concentrations — Clinical Nutrition and Culinary Nutrition.
This allows you to align your educational focus with your professional goals, giving you deeper insight into your life and career beyond your studies at NUNM.
Clinical Nutrition is centered around students pursuing a career in healthcare settings.
In this path of study, you’ll focus on Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutritional Biochemistry, clinical assessment techniques, culinary skills, and techniques focusing on patient-centered care.
Career opportunities are diverse and include consulting for healthcare organizations, academics and research, and clinical nutrition, among others.
Learn more about NUNM’s Clinical Nutrition pathway.
In contrast, Culinary Nutrition focuses on the promotion of health through food.
It’s a hands-on pathway that blends evidence-based nutrition science, culinary medicine, and the culinary arts, as well as marketing, recipe development, and the practical application of food as medicine.
As is the case with Clinical Nutrition, your career opportunities are plentiful, and include wellness and health coaching, culinary medicine, and public or corporate health initiatives.
Learn more about NUNM’s Culinary Nutrition pathway.
Nutrition Capstone Projects Bring Nutritional Science Into The Real World
In your final year of study in the Master of Science and Nutrition program, you’ll collaborate with an industry mentor to develop a unique project that combines your hard-earned knowledge with your long-term career goals.
This project not only helps you market yourself in your chosen industry, but it also creates a way to meaningfully connect with your community and provide them with valuable nutritional information and support.
In the past, students have refined free school breakfast programs, assessed food security in urban Native American communities, and even created an original cookbook inspired by the Pacific Northwest.
Learn more about Nutrition Capstone Projects.
Earning a Master of Science in Nutrition: Planning for the Road Ahead
Sometimes, especially when you’re in the thick of academics, it can be hard to fully understand what your options are post-graduation.
We offer internship opportunities for those earning their Certified Nutrition Specialist credential, where post-graduate interns can work with experienced clinicians to deliver nutrition education and services to individuals and groups.
This internship, available during the summer and fall terms, is the perfect opportunity to work with NUNM faculty while meeting the competencies necessary to earn your CNS credential.
Learn more about post-grad clinical internship opportunities.
In addition to internships, NUNM offers Career Development mentorship and resources, from goal setting and resume development, to Residency application, and everything in between.
At NUNM, we want our students to achieve the career of their dreams in their chosen field. Learn more about Career Development support.
A Master of Science in Nutrition: From Students To Professionals
At NUNM, we strive to develop a community that is equipped to serve our community.
There’s no better way to tell that story than by showcasing some of the success stories that have stemmed from our alumni.
These stories showcase the diversity of education and training within the Master of Science in Nutrition program, as well as the professional opportunities that exist after graduation.
Jamie Menzel, Clinical Nutritionist
Jamie Menzel, a 2023 graduate of NUNM, pursued her Master of Science in Nutrition degree with the long-term goal of opening her own clinical practice.
Menzel, prior to her attendance at NUNM, had spent a decade as an herbalist, and wanted to expand her understanding of how physiology might impact overall health outcomes.
Menzel’s ambitions went beyond the general rigors of the program and found her embracing opportunities as a teaching assistant, a nutritional analyst, and a clinical intern during her time at NUNM.
After completing her MScN degree, she took on an adjunct faculty position at NUNM, focusing on nutritional psychology.
In 2025, Menzel founded Sword Fern Nutrition, a functional nutrition practice dedicated to improving mental health through nutrition and the concept of food as medicine.
Learn more about Menzel’s journey at NUNM.
Sarah Meier, Health Coach and Educator
Meier, a 2022 graduate of NUNM, was driven to build a career where she could use her education and skills to build greater awareness of food’s effect on a person’s physical health and mental wellness.
Meier’s time at NUNM was illuminating, with coursework that was designed to not only examine her and her peers’ understanding and philosophies around nutrition, but to challenge their unconscious assumptions and cultural biases in order to better understand and serve patients across diverse backgrounds and lifestyles.
After graduating with her MScN degree in 2022, Meier earned a position at the Susan Samueli Health Institute as a Health Coach and Culinary Education Specialist.
This role, where Meier supports patients through education and coaching, has even led to opportunities in partnership with Harvard, where she uses her skills to give individuals and groups a deeper understanding of nutrition while boosting their confidence in the kitchen.
Read more about Meier’s journey at NUNM.
Marné Minard, Chef and Restaurateur
Some people’s journeys at NUNM lead them to teach. Some delve into the world of clinical care.
For Marné Minard, her master’s degree in nutrition led to a fruitful career as a chef and restaurateur when she co-founded Bastion with her husband, chef Paul Arnold.
Minard, a 2017 NUNM graduate, was inspired to create a space where people with a broad range of dietary restrictions could have a nutritious and delicious dining experience while avoiding inflammatory ingredients commonly found in traditional restaurant settings.
Minard’s education at NUNM helped her develop a set of skills where not only did she earn a deep understanding of the science of nutrition, but she also gained insights into business management. This has allowed Minard and Arnold to stay true to their mission of sourcing local, environmentally sustainable ingredients without cutting corners.
Learn more about Minard’s journey at NUNM.
At NUNM, our mission is to advance education, healthcare and research in the art and science of natural medicine.
When you choose to embark on your journey to earn your Master of Science in Nutrition, you’re joining a community dedicated to your long-term success in becoming a highly skilled, whole foods-focused professional.
Curious where to start? Contact NUNM today to learn how you can achieve your goals.