MS in Nutrition

Leaders in research, education and public service in nutrition and dietetics

UIC’s Master of Science in Nutrition focuses on advanced studies that lead to a better understanding of the relationships between nutrients and human health.

Whether you’re already a Registered Dietitian or you’re just getting started in the field of Nutrition, our Master’s program will prepare you for practice in a wide range of practice settings from the community to healthcare to private practice, while giving you a strong foundation to engage in a scientific research career if you choose to pursue a PhD after completion of your MS.

Our program concentrates on preventing and treating nutrition-related diseases to help people live their healthiest lives. You will gain expertise in nutrition studying food composition, energy needs, and the psychology of behavior change. You will focus on individuals, their unique relationships with food, and the barriers they face when trying to attain their health goals.

Your career

This is an exciting time for the field of nutrition and dietetics. There is and will continue to be an increased demand for our expertise and services. Not only is employment of dietitians and nutritionists projected to grow but, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The role of food in preventing and treating diseases, such as diabetes, is now well known. More dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for patients with various medical conditions and to advise people who want to improve their overall health.”

The demand for Registered Dietitians is fueled by the growing and aging population, increased public interest in nutrition, and the food industry’s desire to meet public demand for a wider variety of nutritious products. RDs have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the health of our nation.

As an RD, you can look forward to a career in unique areas of dietetics like clinical dietetics, positions in the federal government, or consulting and private practice. Our traditional program graduates often find employment in community nutrition, public relations, government, private practice or research.

Learn from the best

  • Giamila Fantuzzi headshot

    Giamila Fantuzzi

    Examining the role body messages play in the physiology of health as well as in the pathology of various illnesses

  • Shayna Oshita headshot

    Shayna Oshita

    Providing education and training in diabetes care and self-management to the students and community

  • Krista Varady

    Krista Varady

    Researching the efficacy of alternate day fasting for weight loss and cardio-protection, author of The Every Other Day Diet

Understanding by doing

The path to a career in nutrition and dietetics expands far beyond the classroom.

In our coordinated program, classroom learning is combined with a supervised practice experience starting in the spring semester of your second year. These rotations are spent with registered dietitians and other food and nutrition professionals at a variety of practice sites. Locations include hospitals, clinics, research facilities, community sites and Chicago-area businesses.

In the first semester of your supervised practice, you’ll spend two days a week at your practice site and three days in class. In the next two semesters, you’ll be at practice sites 40 hours a week, giving you the full experience of working full time in a professional setting.

Though the majority of our coordinated program students follow the coursework only option, many of our students participate in research and projects with our outstanding faculty. You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Participate in feeding trials
  • Perform clinical visits
  • Conduct dietary counseling
  • Assist with food packaging
  • Collect and prepare tissue biopsies
  • Carry out laboratory analyses of blood parameters

Content Section

Shayna Oshita

We're here for you

Still wondering what an MS in nutrition can do for you? We’re here to answer your questions.

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