Nutrition Programs

Improving human health through better nutrition

The profession of nutrition and dietetics offers meaningful and rewarding career opportunities, and our Department of Nutrition offers two master’s degree programs. The MS in Clinical Nutrition program offers campus-based classes and supervised experiential learning that prepares graduates to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The MS in Nutrition Science is a fully online program tailored to practicing dietitians who need to earn a master’s degree to advance their careers further. Future and current dietetic interns in dietetic internship programs can also enroll in this program to meet the graduate degree requirement to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Degrees Offered

MS – Clinical Nutrition

MS – Nutrition Science

MS – Clinical Nutrition

The Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program is a Graduate Program (GP) in Nutrition and Dietetics that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Students complete didactic courses and have supervised experiential learning. Successful graduates receive a verification statement that makes them eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Total number of units: 59
Duration: 16 months (4 consecutive trimesters)
Clinical Rotation: 30 weeks (2 consecutive trimesters)
Format: Hybrid (in-person classes on Sacramento campus)
Cohort size: maximum 30

MS – Nutrition Science

The Master of Science in Nutrition Science program is not accredited by ACEND and does not offer clinical rotations. This program is perfect for practicing dietitians who need to earn a master’s degree to further advance their careers. Future and current dietetic interns in dietetic internship programs outside Pacific that do not award a master’s degree use this online degree to fulfill the graduate degree requirement to sit for the for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The fully online (asynchronous) format provides the maximum flexibility to students.

Total number of units: 30
Duration: 12 months (3 consecutive trimesters)
No Clinical Rotation
Format: Fully online (asynchronous)
Cohort size: maximum 40