Master of Science in Nutrition
The Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship (DI) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) are designed to prepare students for careers in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics, including opportunities in research, clinical nutrition, community nutrition and public health. Students will have the opportunity to work with a variety of faculty in the Nutrition Program, Exercise Science Program, Health Education Program and Public Health Program as well as health care professionals at UNM, the Prevention Research Center and other UNM Health Sciences sites. Course work and supervised practice includes gaining a deeper understanding of a variety of different areas including advanced medical nutrition therapy, research methods, longevity, maternal and child nutrition, eating disorders, and weight management.
The Nutrition Program offers four options for students: combined MS/DI with thesis (Plan I), MS only with thesis (Plan Ib), combined MS/DI with coursework only (Plan III), or MS only with coursework only (Plan IIIb) programs. If you have already completed a dietetic internship, you may complete Plan Ib or Plan IIIb to fulfill MS in Nutrition requirements. Applications for Plan Ib and IIIb are accepted twice per year. If you are applying to a combined MS/DI plan (Plan I or Plan III), please submit your application by February 15. Note that the DI requires a separate application process through DICAS, also due February 15. The combined MS/DI options (Plan I and III) provide all coursework and supervised practice necessary to allow students to sit for the national Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) registration exam.
Upon admission to the MS/DI or MS only program, you will be assigned an advisor who will assist you in selecting the most appropriate plan and courses that are individualized according to your specific goals. MS/DI students pursuing Plan I (thesis) complete 39 credit hours while those pursing Plan III (coursework only) complete 36 credit hours. MS only students pursuing Plan Ib or IIIb complete 30 credit hours to complete their degree. All plans allow students to select electives to enhance their educational and career goals. These electives may be graduate level courses taken in Nutrition, Public Health, Exercise Science, Health Education, Biostatistics, and Educational Psychology.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: February 15 (MS/DI and MS only applications accepted)
Spring Semester: September 15 (MS only applications accepted)
International Students: May 1 (priority), August 1 (final deadline)
Degree Program: Nutrition
Degree: M.S.
Program Code: MS-NUTR
Department: Individual, Family and Community Education
Program: Nutrition and Dietetics
Program Information
Application Requirements
- Students must have a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or closely related undergraduate degree (exercise science, public health). If the degree is not in nutrition or dietetics, students may be required to complete a post baccalaureate degree in Nutrition. Applicants to combined MS/DI plans must have completed an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
- Minimum 3.2 Undergraduate GPA
- Letter of Intent specifying application to MS/DI or MS only option
Application and Admissions
- Nutrition, M.S. Application Instructions
- Application for Admission and Residency Info Form (both forms in same document)
- Online Application
Dietetic Internship
The UNM Dietetic Internship (DI) is an ACEND/Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited program. Students pursuing a combined MS/DI option will complete both MS and DI requirements in two academic years or less and be able to sit for the national RDN credentialing exam.
Please note: You must also apply to the University of New Mexico Dietetic Internship (DI) if you are pursuing a combined MS/DI option. The UNM DI uses the online centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed at https://portal.dicas.org. You must also register online for computer matching at www.dnddigital.com and select dietetic internship priority choices.
Assistantships
A limited number of Assistantships including Graduate Assistantships (GA), Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Grader positions are available to UNM Graduate Students including Nutrition, Health Education, Exercise Physiology and Public Health students. In addition, individual faculty may have funding for Project Assistant (PA) positions as part of grants, contracts, or special projects. These positions are advertised through the Graduate Student listserv. Graduate students outside the Nutrition Program will be considered on a case-by-case basis for GA, TA, PA, or Grader positions. Applicants must have completed at least one active semester as a UNM Graduate Student to be eligible to apply.
After being accepted as a graduate student, students may apply for GA, TA, or Grader positions in the fall semester for spring positions and in the spring for fall positions. Requests for applications are sent out mid-semester on the Nutrition Graduate Listserv. If a graduate student is not in the Nutrition Program, you will need to contact the Nutrition Program Coordinator to obtain a copy of the Assistantship Application. Serving as GA, TA, or Grader while also completing the supervised practice portion of the MS/DI is strongly discouraged.
GA, TA, and Grader positions include assisting the instructor of a course with teaching, grading and/or other course activities; TA positions include teaching an entire freshman/sophomore level nutrition course (NUTR 1110, NUTR 2110); Grader positions consist of grading for a large sophomore or junior level course (NUTR 2110, NUTR 344, NUTR 345) or serving as a food science lab assistant (NUTR 330L). Students who are selected must also register for at least 6 hours of graduate credit the same semester in which they are a GA, TA or Grader. All students who apply for an Assistantship position should indicate the specific position of interest (GA, Grader, TA) in their Letter of Intent. Please feel free to contact the Nutrition Program Coordinator if you have specific questions regarding this process.
