COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE: This program is enrolling students for the Spring 2021 Trimester. Students will not be required to come to campus in the Spring 2021 trimester for any classes, orientations, or other learning experiences. Because this program can be completed fully online, students will be able to take all of their classes online should it be necessary to do so, regardless of the program format they have chosen (on-campus, hybrid, or online).
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health integrates traditional systems and nature-based knowledge of food and health with contemporary biochemical and physiological perspectives of the complex role of nutrition in human health. While building foundational skills in the sciences and introductory nutrition, students enhance the scope of their knowledge and skills by selecting an area of concentration in Community Nutrition Education, Herbal Medicine, or Human Clinical Nutrition. The program is one of the few integrative master’s degree programs in nutrition in the country. Depending on Area of Concentration, the degree is 50 or 58 credits and can be finished in 2-4 years. The program is delivered in online, hybrid, and on-campus formats.
The degree is designed for individuals who are entering the profession as a first or second career, with or without experience working in the healthcare industry. Students graduate as creative practitioners and educators who are capable of working collaboratively to support individuals and groups with personalized evidence-based interventions and educational programs.
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health is unique in integrating biochemical assessments, basic science, and applied nutrition coursework and employing case studies and client interviews to teach intervention strategies for a wide range of health challenges. The curriculum addresses the cognitive and physiological factors influencing the complex role of food and nutrition in human health.
Experiences unique to the MUIH Master’s degree include the cooking labs and hands-on practice in nutritional assessment and counseling or in the planning, development and delivery of nutrition education programs. Through a series of whole foods cooking labs, students apply nutrition theory, acquire cooking skills and learn the restorative nature of whole foods. Depending on the Area of Concentration, the degree culminates in a two-trimester experience in which students interview and assess real and mock clients, develop a nutrition education program for a particular population or complete an applied research project on a nutrition problem.
Human Clinical Nutrition Area of Concentration (50 credits)
The Human Clinical Nutrition Area of Concentration prepares graduates to be clinical nutritionists that apply the scientific and psycho-social aspects of integrative nutrition and provide individualized and personalized nutritional assessments and counseling for others. It is designed for individuals who wish to work in a clinical setting and pursue the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) offered through the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists. Clinical experience is gained through either the on-campus Natural Care Center or the online Strategies in Nutrition Care course; both fulfill the 135 hours required for CNS eligibility. Graduates of the program are qualified to see clients one-on-one in an internship setting after graduation and for community education sites in an internship setting after graduation.
Herbal Medicine Area of Concentration (58 credits)
The Herbal Medicine Area of Concentration prepares graduates to be clinical nutritionists that apply the scientific and psycho-social aspects of integrative nutrition and herbal medicine to provide individualized and personalized nutritional assessments and counseling for others. It is designed for individuals who wish to work in a clinical setting and pursue Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) offered through the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists. Graduates of the program are considered to be clinical nutritionists who incorporate herbal medicine in their practice, but they are not considered to be herbalists. Clinical experience is gained through either the on-campus Natural Care Center or the online Strategies in Nutrition Care course; both fulfill the 135 hours required for CNS eligibility. Graduates of the program are qualified to see clients one-on-one in an internship setting after graduation and for community education sites in an internship setting after graduation.
Community Nutrition Education Area of Concentration (50 credits)
The Community Nutrition Education Area of Concentration prepares graduates to apply the scientific and psycho-social aspects of integrative nutrition to develop and deliver community education programs. It is designed for individuals who wish to work in community settings with groups of individuals, and the program includes courses that involve community work experiences. This is not a clinical program and does not prepare graduates to work one-on-one as a clinical nutritionist in clinical settings. Individuals who wish to work one-on-one in a clinical setting are strongly advised to select either the Human Clinical Nutrition or Herbal Medicine Area of Concentration. Students are eligible to sit for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) offered through the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists and the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing by taking additional coursework than provided in this Area of Concentration.
Students who complete the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health will be able to:
In addition to the educational outcomes for all master’s program graduates, each area of concentration aims to achieve the following specific objectives:
Students complete the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health by completing core program credits and choosing one of three areas of concentration: Human Clinical Nutrition (50 credits total), Community Nutrition Education (50 credit total), or Herbal Medicine (58 credits total).
All areas of concentration of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health include 29 credits of required core courses:
Required Cooking Labs:
Choose 2 additional cooking labs from the following for a total of 1.0 credit:
The community nutrition education area of concentration includes 20 required credits and 1 elective credit.
Required Courses
Required Course Sets
Choose one of the following course sets for a total of 3 credits:
Elective Courses
Choose a total of at least one credit from the following elective courses. Elective offerings vary by trimester; check the Schedule of Courses for availability.
*These courses are a requirement for CHES certification (IHED 639 is only required if Capstone Project is completed).
**This course is a requirement for BCNS certification.
†These courses are recommended for BCNS certification.
The herbal medicine area of concentration includes 29 required credits.
Required Courses
Required Course Sets
Choose one of the following course sets for a total of 3 credits:
The human clinical nutrition area of concentration includes 16 required credits and 5 elective credits.
Required Courses
Required Course Sets
Choose one of the following course sets for a total of 3 credits:
Elective Courses
Choose a total of at least five credits from the following elective courses. Elective offerings vary by trimester; check the Schedule of Courses for availability.
Course descriptions are available in the Academic Catalog.
MUIH’s M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health program is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Nutrition Professional Education (ACNPE), a programmatic accrediting agency for master’s degree programs in clinical nutrition. For more information, contact: ACNPE, 20 West 20th Street, Suite 204, New York, NY 10011; phone: 646-455-1149.
MUIH is one of only two master’s degree programs in clinical nutrition in the U.S. to hold such accreditation.
The Accreditation Council on Nutrition Professional Education (ACNPE) accredits master’s degree clinical programs in nutrition. It enhances the quality of learning by setting standards for knowledge and skills needed to practice advanced nutrition care safely and effectively. ACNPE’s accreditation standards ensure that graduates have met the high level of competency expected of a nutrition professional. ACNPE-accredited programs prepare graduates for a variety of career paths and professional opportunities. Graduates help to further public and professional understanding of the foundational role of nutrition – as an essential component of a collaborative healthcare system that aims to optimize health as well as to prevent and treat illness. Advanced nutrition professionals play a vital role in slowing the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease, positively impacting the high cost of healthcare. The vision of ACNPE is to further public understanding of the foundational role of nutrition in health, and to support the field of professional nutrition care as an essential component of a collaborative healthcare system. The mission of ACNPE is quality assurance; serving the public by accrediting master’s degree clinical programs in advanced nutrition offered by regionally accredited higher education institutions in the U.S. that demonstrate satisfactory compliance with ACNPE’s standards.
87% of recent graduates of MUIH’s M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health program were employed or self-employed within one year of graduation. 12% of recent graduates of the program were preparing to fulfill the requirements of the Certified Nutrition Specialist credential offered by the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists. Graduates of MUIH’s nutrition programs are employed in a variety of settings including private practice; integrative group practices; nutrition clinics; health care systems; hospitals; community, non-profit, and outreach organizations; state and local health departments; school systems; culinary organizations; athletic and recreational organizations; and colleges and universities. Many graduates chose to have a portfolio career in which they have multiple positions and employers within one or more profession, rather than one full-time job. A portfolio career provides such individuals with variety in their work life and the opportunity to develop a wide and varied professional network.
This degree prepares students for careers as professionals, practitioners, consultants, researchers, entrepreneurs, writers and educators in the field of clinical nutrition. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates: “Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The role of food in preventing and treating diseases, such as diabetes, is now well known. More dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for patients with various medical conditions and to advise people who want to improve their overall health.” View more about career opportunities.
This program is offered in the online, hybrid, and on-campus formats, depending on the area of concentration:
Click here to view MUIH’s definition of online, hybrid, and on-campus course and program formats.
All coursework is completed on campus in this format. Only students completing the Human Clinical Nutrition area of concentration may complete the entire program on campus. On-campus students are also welcome to take online courses, subject to availability. The on-campus schedule consists of 15 to 19 weekends per year. Weekend class times are 5 – 9 p.m. on Fridays, and 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Format may vary during clinic and practicum phase. The time needed to complete the elective credits and clinic/practicum/thesis is not included in this academic calendar. Additionally, students on a modified schedule may have class outside of the weekends below.
All coursework is completed online in this format. Although no residency is required, online students are welcome to take on-campus courses, subject to availability.
Coursework is completed through a combination of online and on campus courses in this format. Students may choose the format of each course on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability.
For trimester start and end dates, see the Academic Calendar.
On-campus weekend dates for the Human Clinical Nutrition two-year plan of study: Weekend class times are Fridays, 5:00pm-9:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30am-5:30pm. The time needed to complete the elective credits and clinic/practicum/capstone project is not included in the academic calendar. Additionally, students in the Herbal Medicine AOC, Community Nutrition Education AOC, and students on a modified schedule may have classes scheduled outside of the weekends below.
First Year Schedule
Second Year Schedule
The 6-trimester schedule is shown below. A 9-trimester schedule is also available.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Trimester 4
Trimester 5
Trimester 6
The 8-trimester schedule is shown below. An 11-trimester schedule is also available.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Trimester 4
Trimester 5
Trimester 6
Trimester 7
Trimester 8
The 6-trimester schedule is shown below. A 9-trimester schedule is also available.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Trimester 4
Trimester 5
Trimester 6
Licensing requirements for nutritionists vary by state. To learn the most up-to-date laws and regulations, please refer to each state’s board of dietetic practice, or go to nutritionadvocacy.org
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program is tailored to meet the eligibility requirements of several national board certifications. At the present time, MUIH is in compliance with the requirements of each of the professional organizations listed below. However, boards do change their eligibility requirements. Please review licensing laws by state for the most up-to-date information and contact the appropriate board with questions. Board certification for nutrition often requires a supervised practice experience; to facilitate this MUIH offers an optional six-month supervised internship program for our graduates. See more information about the Nutrition Post-Graduate Practice Experience.
Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is offered through the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists. Graduates from the Clinical Nutrition and Herbal Medicine areas of concentration in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health meet the educational requirements to sit for the CNS exam. Students in the Community Nutrition Education area of concentration must take additional courses to meet these academic requirements. The Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) also requires that applicants complete 1000 hours of supervised practice experience and pass the BCNS Certifying Exam. The board reviews each applicant individually to determine eligibility. Coursework in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program includes some supervised practice experience; total hours vary depending on the electives the student chooses. MUIH offers the Nutrition Internship Program to complete the remaining supervised clinical practice hours. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements at nutritionspecialists.org.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program are exempt from taking the postgraduate training offered through the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board before sitting for the exam. CNCB reviews each applicant individually and reviews all transcripts to determine eligibility. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements at cncb.org.
With the appropriate choice of courses, graduates from the Community Nutrition Education area of concentration are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program are eligible to sit for this certification exam. The requirements for this exam include at least one herbal elective course. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements at nanp.org/board-certification.
Graduates from the Community Nutrition Education area of concentration may become members of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB).
This program does not prepare students to sit for the Commission on Dietetics Registration dietetics exam.
Trimester of Entry: | Fall, Spring, Summer |
Application Priority Deadline: | Application Deadline by Trimester |
General Requirements: |
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Program Specific Requirements: | Complete Essay Questions in application:
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Kathleen Warner, Ph.D.
Department Chair
Liz Lipski, Ph.D.
Director, Academic Development
Eleonora Gafton, M.S.
Program Director, Cooking Labs
Elizabeth Owens, M.S.
Director, Experiential Programs
Jennifer Swetz, M.S.
Nutrition Clinic Coordinator
Alexandra Wick
Department Manager
Nissa Lazenby-Wilson, M.S.
Cooking Lab Assistant Manager
Casey Simms, M.A.
Academic Advisor
Laura Steck
Academic Advisor