In-person or onlineMaster of Science in Nutrition

In-person or online, you can embark on an exciting journey to become a skilled, whole foods-focused nutritionist with our innovative two-year Master of Science in Nutrition program at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon.

Our comprehensive nutrition curriculum equips you with life-changing tools to help individuals take control of their health and transform their lives. NUNM stands out in the field of nutrition science by focusing on the philosophy of “Food as Medicine” through personalized nutrition, recognizing that everyone’s biology, cultural background, and food access are unique. Our program, led by distinguished faculty, establishes a solid scientific foundation in nutrition physiology, enabling you to critically evaluate new studies and emerging research. Graduates of the clinical concentration are eligible to become Certified Nutrition Specialists, allowing for holistic, empathetic nutrition practice. 

Additionally, students have the opportunity to see patients for nutritional consultations in our on-campus teaching clinic and learn to utilize a robust medical record-keeping system. This gives students who wish to go into clinical practice a true advantage in the market.  

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Online Option

Program Length Icon

Program Length:
2 or 3 years

Total Credits

Total Credits:
70

Per Credit Cost Icon

Per Credit Cost:
$538

Choose Your Path: Clinical or Culinary Nutrition

Our Master of Science in Nutrition program offers two distinct curriculum concentrations, allowing students to tailor their education to their professional goals and personal interests within the dynamic field of nutrition:

Clinical Nutrition

The Clinical Nutrition concentration is designed for students who aim to work in healthcare settings or pursue advanced practice in medical nutrition therapy. This track offers comprehensive training in clinical assessment, disease-specific evidence-based nutrition interventions, and health coaching. In addition to clinical content, students also gain culinary skills and knowledge to enhance their ability to design personalized, health-promoting meals for patients and clients. 

Key Focus Areas:

  • Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
  • Nutritional biochemistry
  • Patient-centered care and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Clinical assessment tools and techniques
  • Culinary skills for creating therapeutic, nutritious meals

Career Paths May Include:

  • Clinical nutritionist – Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) eligible
  • Research or academic roles in medical nutrition
  • Nutrition consultant for healthcare organizations

Culinary Nutrition

The Culinary Nutrition concentration is ideal for students who want to blend culinary arts with nutritional science to promote health through food. This hands-on track emphasizes cooking techniques, culinary medicine, and translating nutrition evidence into practical, delicious solutions.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Culinary techniques and kitchen skills
  • Culinary medicine and food as medicine
  • Behavior change and nutrition communication
  • Recipe development and menu planning
  • Food marketing and communication

Career Paths May Include:

  • Culinary nutrition educator or instructor
  • Culinary medicine specialist in clinical or community settings
  • Wellness and health coach
  • Program developer for public health or corporate wellness initiatives

A Strong Foundation for Any Path

Both tracks share a rigorous foundation in nutritional science and public health, with track-specific electives and practical experiences tailored to your area of interest. Whether you’re preparing to work in clinical healthcare or community-based food education, our program equips you with the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence.

Learn More About Nutrition at NUNM

Nutrition Capstone Projects 

Our curriculum helps you navigate the broad and dynamic field of nutrition with real-world experiences and skills. In your final year of the program, you’ll develop a capstone project with guidance from an experienced industry mentor to build your resume in your area of interest. This process helps students refine their career direction and network within their chosen field. Some example capstone projects: 

  • A student implemented a healthier version of the free breakfast program at a local elementary school. 
  • A group of students created a plan to reforest urban and suburban centers to relieve food insecurity and mitigate poverty, and created a test project on NUNM’s campus.  
  • Two students worked together to create a cookbook inspired by the Pacific Northwest. 
  • A student worked to assess food security and sovereignty within the urban Native American community. 
  • Watch videos from the Capstone Symposium

Contact Us

Questions about the program or application process? Contact NUNM Admissions today!

FAQ

Both programs cover identical content, exams, and certification eligibility. However, the experience varies: the on-campus setup provides a traditional classroom environment, including cooking techniques taught in a teaching kitchen. Meanwhile, the online program allows students to complete coursework from home and adapt cooking lessons to their own kitchens.

A clinical nutritionist, physician or non-physician, holds an accredited master’s degree in clinical nutrition. Non-physician nutritionists can obtain the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential, often required for clinical nutrition practice in many states, which NUNM’s Master of Science in Nutrition program can prepare for. 

 In contrast, a registered dietitian is a non-physician with an accredited bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, dietetics, foods and nutrition or public health nutrition. After completing a dietetic internship (DI), Coordinated Program (CP) or Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) and passing the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam, the dietitian becomes a Registered Dietitian (RD) and obtains a state license to practice medical nutrition therapy. 

 As of 2024, dietitians must also earn a master’s or doctoral degree in any field of study to be eligible to sit for the CDR exam.

Our curriculum focuses on individualized nutrition and whole foods. While we educate on healthy plant-based nutrition and other dietary philosophies, we emphasize that specialized diets may only sometimes be optimal for patients or the community being served.
No, as a private, non-state institution, tuition is the same for residents and non-residents.

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