The Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health integrates contemporary nutrition science perspectives with traditional dietary wisdom to address 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 Human Clinical Nutrition (47 credits) or Herbal Medicine (57 credits). The program is one of the few integrative master’s degree programs in nutrition in the country. Depending on Area of Concentration, the degree can be finished in 2-4 years. The program is delivered in online and hybrid 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 integrative health practitioners and educators who can work collaboratively to support individuals and groups with personalized evidence-based nutrition interventions and educational programs.
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program prepares students to deliver personalized nutrition care to optimize health and manage chronic health problems. The program provides a health and nutrition sciences foundation, builds students’ knowledge and skills in clinical assessment and evidence-based nutrition therapy, and culminates in real-world clinical experience.
The program’s integrative approach addresses nutrition, sleep, stress, physical activity, relationships, and environment to identify the root causes of health imbalances. Students learn to develop personalized dietary and lifestyle interventions to support the whole person.
Unique highlights of the program include whole-food cooking labs and clinical experience working with real clients. These experiential learning opportunities hone practical skills to be a competent clinical nutrition professional who is ready to practice upon graduation and seek board certification.
The program meets all educational requirements for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) certification. It also provides 250+ of the required 1000 hours of supervised practice experience (SPE), giving graduates a significant head start toward SPE completion.
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 experiences contribute to the number of CNS hours earned through coursework. 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.
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 experiences contribute to the number of CNS hours earned through coursework. 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.
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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Students complete the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health by completing core program credits and choosing one of two areas of concentration: Human Clinical Nutrition (47 credits total) or Herbal Medicine (57 credits total).
Transfer Credit Options
Students are encouraged to consider the following options to transfer credits to reduce their costs and time to degree completion at MUIH.
Students who have previously completed the following types of courses at other colleges and universities may be eligible to transfer those credits to MUIH and be exempt from taking some courses at MUIH:
Students are exempt from taking MUIH’s ISCI522 Foundations in Organic Chemistry Course if they have completed CHEM250 Organic Chemistry I AND CHEM251 Organic Chemistry II from StraighterLine.
Students are exempt from taking MUIH’s ISCI547a Physiology I course if they have completed BIO201 Anatomy & Physiology 1 AND BIO202 Anatomy & Physiology II from StraighterLine.
Both areas of concentration of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health include 42 credits of required core courses
Required Course Sets
Choose one of the following course sets for a total of 3 credits:
Required Cooking Labs:
Choose 2 additional cooking labs from the following for a total of 1.0 credit:
The herbal medicine area of concentration includes 15 required credits.
Required Courses
The human clinical nutrition area of concentration includes 5 required credits.
Required Courses
Course descriptions are available in the Academic Catalog.
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 of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health graduates, the Herbal Medicine area of concentration aims to achieve the following specific objectives:
Both areas of concentration of the program are offered in the online and hybrid formats. Click here to view MUIH’s definition of online, hybrid, and on-campus course and program formats.
For trimester start and end dates, see the Academic Calendar.
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
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Trimester 4
Trimester 5
Trimester 6
Trimester | Course Code | Cost per Credit | # of Credits | University Fee | Tuition Cost* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall ’24 | NUTR/HRB* | $928/$953 | 7.5 | $275 | $7,072.50 |
Spring ’25 | ISCI/IHED | $928/$953 | 6.5 | $275 | $6,119.50 |
Summer ’25 | ISCI | $953 | 8.5 | $275 | $8,100.50 |
Total | 25.5 | $825 | $21,292.50 |
*Prices subject to change. Tuition costs are for illustrative purposes only.
Additional Fees
Fees | Cost |
---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit | $150 |
University Fee (per trimester) | $275 All students, including students taking a voluntary break in enrollment. Click here to learn more about the fee. |
Late Registration Fee |
$75/course After registration deadline and before start of the schedule adjustment period for current students $150/course During the schedule adjustment period for current students |
Cooking Lab Fee | For students enrolled in on-campus sections of the following cooking lab courses. (This fee does not apply to students enrolled in online sections of the following cooking lab courses.)
NUTR 681 – $40/course |
Cooking Kit Fee | $225 M.S. in Nutrition and Integrative Health students (1st trimester) and other students taking cooking labs (NUTR 681 – 689) *$240- if taking courses on campus |
Clinic Fee | Students enrolled in the following online nutrition clinic courses: NUTR656C – $375 NUTR654D – $375 NUTR656D – $375 |
Institute for Functional Medicine Toolkit Fee (1st Trimester) | $100 |
Trimester | Course Code | Cost per Credit | # of Credits | University Fee | Tuition Cost* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall ’23 | NUTR/HRB* | $928/$953 | 7.5 | $275 | $7,072.50 |
Spring ’24 | ISCI/IHED | $928/$953 | 6.5 | $275 | $6,119.50 |
Summer ’24 | ISCI | $953 | 8.5 | $275 | $8,100.50 |
Total | 25.5 | $825 | $21,292.50 |
*Prices subject to change. Tuition costs are for illustrative purposes only.
Additional Fees
Fees | Cost |
---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit | $150 |
University Fee (per trimester) | $275 All students, including students taking a voluntary break in enrollment. Click here to learn more about the fee. |
Late Registration Fee |
$75/course After registration deadline and before start of the schedule adjustment period for current students $150/course During the schedule adjustment period for current students |
Cooking Lab Fee | NUTR 681 – $40/course NUTR 682 – $40/course NUTR 683 – $45/course NUTR 684 – $45/course NUTR 686 – $30/course NUTR 687 – $40/course NUTR 688 – $40/course |
Cooking Kit Fee | $225 M.S. in Nutrition and Integrative Health students (1st trimester) and other students taking cooking labs (NUTR 681 – 689) *$240- if taking courses on campus |
Institute for Functional Medicine Toolkit Fee (1st Trimester) | $100 |
Trimester | Course Code | Cost per Credit | # of Credits | University Fee | Tuition Cost* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall ’24 | ISCI | $953 | 8 | $275 | $7,624 |
Spring ’25 | NUTR/IHED | $928/$953 | 8 | $275 | $7,586.50 |
Summer ’25 | ISCI | $953 | 9.5 | $275 | $9,053.50 |
Total | 25.5 | $825 | $24,264 |
*Prices subject to change. Tuition costs are for illustrative purposes only.
Additional Fees
Fees | Cost |
---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit | $150 |
University Fee (per trimester) | $275 All students, including students taking a voluntary break in enrollment. Click here to learn more about the fee. |
Late Registration Fee |
$75/course After registration deadline and before start of the schedule adjustment period for current students $150/course During the schedule adjustment period for current students |
Cooking Lab Fee | For students enrolled in on-campus sections of the following cooking lab courses. (This fee does not apply to students enrolled in online sections of the following cooking lab courses.)
NUTR 681 – $40/course |
Cooking Kit Fee | $225 M.S. in Nutrition and Integrative Health students (1st trimester) and other students taking cooking labs (NUTR 681 – 689) *$240- if taking courses on campus |
Clinic Fee | Students enrolled in the following online nutrition clinic courses: NUTR656C – $375 NUTR654D – $375 NUTR656D – $375 |
Institute for Functional Medicine Toolkit Fee (1st Trimester) | $100 |
Trimester | Course Code | Cost per Credit | # of Credits | University Fee | Tuition Cost* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall ’23 | ISCI | $953 | 8 | $275 | $7,624 |
Spring ’24 | NUTR/IHED | $928/$953 | 8 | $275 | $7,586.50 |
Summer ’24 | ISCI | $953 | 9.5 | $275 | $9,053.50 |
Total | 25.5 | $825 | $24,264 |
*Prices subject to change. Tuition costs are for illustrative purposes only.
Additional Fees
Fees | Cost |
---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit | $150 |
University Fee (per trimester) | $275 All students, including students taking a voluntary break in enrollment. Click here to learn more about the fee. |
Late Registration Fee |
$75/course After registration deadline and before start of the schedule adjustment period for current students $150/course During the schedule adjustment period for current students |
Cooking Lab Fee | NUTR 681 – $40/course NUTR 682 – $40/course NUTR 683 – $45/course NUTR 684 – $45/course NUTR 686 – $30/course NUTR 687 – $40/course NUTR 688 – $40/course |
Cooking Kit Fee | $225 M.S. in Nutrition and Integrative Health students (1st trimester) and other students taking cooking labs (NUTR 681 – 689) *$240- if taking courses on campus |
Institute for Functional Medicine Toolkit Fee (1st Trimester) | $100 |
Licensing requirements for nutritionists vary by state. Students are advised to check and stay apprised of the educational requirements for professional licensure in their state. To learn the most up-to-date laws and regulations, please refer to each state’s board of nutrition/dietetic practice. In addition, the American Nutrition Association provides a summary of nutrition licensing laws in each state; students are advised to read the entire state law for full detail.
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 and contact the appropriate licensing board by state for the most up-to-date information and with questions.
The Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) certification is offered through the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists℠ (BCNS℠). 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.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. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements at theana.org website.
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.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program are eligible to sit for the BCHN certification exam. The requirements for this exam include at least one herbal course. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements at nanp.org/board-certification.
This program does not prepare students to sit for the Commission on Dietetics Registration dietetics exam.
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.
Eighty three percent (83%) of recent graduates (2018-2021) of MUIH’s M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health program were employed or self-employed within one year of graduation. Fifteen percent (15%) of recent graduates (2018-2021) of the program were preparing to fulfill the requirements of the Certified Nutrition Specialist credential offered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists℠ (BCNS℠). 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 and Statistics (BLS) indicates jobs for nutritionists and dietitians are projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031. 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.
Take a look at what our Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health program offers and how MUIH is the choice for you!
Department Chair
Eleonora Gafton, D.C.N.
Program Director, Cooking Labs
Elizabeth Owens, M.S.
Director, Experiential Programs
Rachel Lucke, M.S.
Onsite Nutrition Clinic Coordinator
Jennifer Swetz, M.S.
Nutrition Clinic Coordinator
Alexandra Wick
Department Manager
Casey Opperman, M.A.
Academic Advisor
Crystal Hoyt
Academic Advisor