Master of Science - Nutrition Sciences

Plan Description

The mission of the Master of Science (M.S) – Nutrition Sciences program is to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to be competent nutrition and dietetics professionals capable of providing excellent nutrition and dietetic services in numerous community, food service, management, and clinical settings.  The program will provide an evidence-based curriculum with a translation to clinical/professional practice.  This degree will satisfy the possession of a master’s degree in order to sit for the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.

For more information about your program including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degrees Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Students are admitted in the fall and spring semesters.  Applicants for admission must have an undergraduate major in nutrition, or a closely related academic discipline.

Applicants must have a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (A=4.0), or 3.00 (A=4.0) in the last two years. The Graduate Record Examination must be taken prior to applying. Successful applicants will generally have a 3.00 undergraduate grade point average and a combined score of 300 on verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE and higher than 3.5 on the analytical section

Applicants must apply online through the Grad Rebel Gateway system. In addition to all documents required by the Graduate College, applicants must upload the following information into the Grad Rebel Gateway system:

1. Official GRE scores.
2. A letter of intent that addresses: 1) Reason(s) for wishing to earn a M.S. in Nutrition Sciences; 2) motivation for attending this program at UNLV; 3) Summary of educational goals; 4) Summary of research activities and/or clinical interests; 5) Possible faculty mentors the applicant would be interested in working with.
3. Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic record and potential for graduate study.

An applicant who is a non-native English speaker must provide proof of English language proficiency. A non-native speaker is an individual whose primary language in the home was a language other than English (or a non- English language) or who received K-12 (or equivalent) education in schools where English was not the medium of instruction. Prospective students must take the TOEFL iBT (Internet) exam and earn a minimum score of 100 to be eligible for this program. No other exam will be accepted.

Undergraduate Prerequisites (UNLV courses or equivalent).  Preference given to students completing an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPND).  This is the undergraduate program that provides all of the pre-requisite courses.

CHEM 108 or CHEM 121/122/241
BIOL 223/L/224/L BIOL 241
MATH 124
NUTR 301
NUTR 223
NUTR 370
NUTR 451

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Non-Thesis Track
Subplan 2: Thesis Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Non-Thesis Track

Total Credits Required: 33

Subplan 2 Requirements: Thesis Track

Total Credits Required: 33

Plan Graduation Requirements

Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Thesis Track

Subplan 2: Non-Thesis Track