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 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 Years

Total Credits

Total Credits:
64

Per Credit Cost Icon

Per Credit Cost:
$522

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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