Master of Science in Nutrition Education
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Preparation
The Integrated MS-RDN Track’s Nutrition Education degree prepares graduates to work with individuals and groups in many settings, such as communities, worksites, healthcare facilities, businesses, government and international agencies, visual media, and private practice. Students complete additional courses beyond the core that prepare them to provide culturally competent food and nutrition education in various settings and through various media, to conduct individual and group counseling and patient education, and to participate in programs to improve environmental supports for behavior change. The master's degree also prepares graduates to serve as resource specialists and curriculum developers in schools, communities, non-profit organizations, and universities.
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: 50
- 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: 50
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 (6 credits)
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HBSS 4012 Eating Disorders: Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment (3 credits)
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A 3-credit elective course focusing on counseling, psychology, or individual and group nutrition education
The MS degree requires a substantial integrative project.
Tuition & Fees for Integrated MS-RDN Track in Nutrition Education
The Integrated MS-RDN Track’s degree in Nutrition Education consists of 50 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)
Spring semester (4 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 50 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 as part of the practicum courses at various worksites 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.