Master of Science in Nutrition & Exercise Physiology
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Preparation
Forward-thinking faculty at Teachers College created, in 1982, the first U.S. graduate program combining nutrition and exercise sciences. Today, offered jointly with the Applied Exercise Physiology Program, the Integrated MS-RDN Track’s degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology provides our students with a comprehensive foundation in both nutrition and exercise physiology based on the most current research evidence, alongside a practical environment where they can apply these learned skills.
In addition to master’s courses and supervised experiential learning that prepare students for the Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) credential, students may be eligible for American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certifications including Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP), as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), depending on courses completed. In addition, students are provided training in sports nutrition and participate in a practicum with collegiate athletes. Students also have the opportunity to participate in ongoing research projects.
This cross-discipline program provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to implement both nutrition and exercise or physical activity programs for a variety of audiences and to work in sports nutrition.
More specifically, this degree prepares graduates to address the many preventive health and disease management issues that are more satisfactorily attended to by the complementary roles of both nutrition and exercise than by either one alone; to apply the principles from both fields to sports performance and physical fitness; and to provide relevant and accurate information about sports nutrition to athletes and other exercising people.
To fulfill these different roles, this degree also prepares graduates to use educational and behavioral change theories and strategies to provide individual counseling and group education in sports nutrition with professional, collegiate, and high school athletic teams as well as other exercising individuals, and to design and implement exercise and nutrition programs for the public in weight control centers, work sites, fitness centers, community centers, healthcare settings and private practice.
This degree program conforms to the Nutrition Education Competencies for Promoting Healthy Individuals, Communities, and Food Systems set forth by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Science
- Points/Credits: 57
- Entry Terms: Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fall | December 15, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | N/A |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| Prerequisites required prior to enrollment |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact HAEPadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
Total Points/Credits: 57
Core Courses (44 credits)
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HBSV 4010 Food, Nutrition, and Behavior (3 credits)
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HBSV 4013 Nutritional Ecology (3 credits)
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HBSV 4014 Community Nutrition (3 credits)
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HBSV 5010 Advanced Nutrition 1 (3 credits)
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HBSV 5011 Advanced Nutrition 2 (3 credits)
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HBSV 5013 Strategies for Nutrition Education and Health Behavior Change (3 credits)
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HBSV 5014 Analysis of Current Literature and Research in Nutrition (3 credits)
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HBSV 5015 Nutritional Epidemiology and Assessment (3 credits)
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HBSV 5016 Food Service Operations and Management (3 credits)
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HBSV 5018 Nutrition and Human Development (3 credits)
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HBSV 5033 Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 (3 credits)
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HBSV 5034 Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 (3 credits)
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HBSV 5036 Nutrition Counseling (2 credits)
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HBSV 5350 Global Foods Practicum (1 credit)
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HBSV 5351 Community Nutrition Education Practicum (1 credit)
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HBSV 5352 Medical Nutrition Therapy Practicum (1 credit)
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HBSV 5353 Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy 3 + Practicum (1 credit)
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HBSV 5354 Advanced Practicum 1 (1 credit)
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HBSV 5355 Advanced Practicum 2 (1 credit)
Specialization Courses (13 credits)
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BBSR 5593 Nutrition in Exercise and Sport (3 credits)
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BBSR 4095 Applied Physiology 1 (3 credits)
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BBSR 5094 Applied Physiology 2 (3 credits)
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BBSR 5096 Advanced Exercise and Physical Activity Prescription for Health (3 credits)
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HBSV 5314 Practicum in Sports Nutrition (1 credit)
The MS degree requires a substantial integrative project.
Tuition & Fees for Integrated MS-RDN Track in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology
The Integrated MS-RDN Track’s degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology consists of 57 credits distributed over 24- consecutive months when completed full-time, as follows:
Year #1:
Fall semester (9 credits)*
January session (1 credit)
Spring semester (12 credits)
Summer session A (7 credits)**
Summer session B (3 credits) **
Year #2:
Fall semester (13 credits)
January session (3 credits)
Spring semester (8 credits)**
Summer session A & B (1 credit)**
*Two 3-credit graduate courses and a 1.5-credit lab will be completed at Lehman College of the City University of New York. These courses are Cultural Foods & Foodways and Food Science, along with Food Science and Culture Lab. These 7.5 credits are in addition to the 57 credits completed at Teachers College.
**For students who need full-time status, several courses carry additional contact hours for substantial out-of-classroom activities. Despite a low credit total for a few of the semesters, the associated supervised experiential learning hours at various work sites equate to full-time status.
Visit the TC Academic Calendar
A detailed list of estimated program costs can be found on the Integrated MS-RDN Track webpage.