Master of Science Degree in Nutritional Science
The Master of Science degree in Nutritional Science is an individualized program designed to develop specialized professional competence in the selected areas of food science, dietetics and nutrition, while also providing breadth in related areas. The program is designed for persons preparing for positions as public health nutritionists or supervisors in dietetics and food production and service, or doctoral study in nutrition and dietetics.
Graduate students seeking to qualify for the Registered Dietitian examination may complete appropriate course work and clinical experiences concurrently with requirements for the master's degree by also completing courses in the Coordinated Dietetics Program (CDP), or the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The CDP requires a separate application for admission; this application is available January 3rd and is due March 1 of each year. Call 323/343-4650 during this period to have an application mailed to you.
Admission to the Program – admission to the Nutritional Science MS program is a two-step process. First, application to the university at csumentor.edu and second, application to the School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science (KNS); call 323/343-4650 for a secondary KNS School application.
Graduate degree applicants must meet the university requirements for admission, which include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. To be admitted into the Master of Science degree program in Nutritional Science, applicants must also meet the following:
1. Grade point average of at least 2.75 in last 90-quarter units (60 semester units) attempted.
2. Appropriate undergraduate preparation for desired specialization within the discipline of nutritional science.
3. Two letters of recommendation (sent with School application).
4. Statement of goals for graduate study (sent with School application).
5. Submission of G.R.E. general test scores (sent with School application).
6. Completion of the following prerequisites: (all of these prerequisites except NTRS 317 and CHEM 353 may be completed at a community college or another university before entering Cal State L.A.). NTRS 210 and CHEM 353 are only offered during the summer quarter; often it is most advantageous that students begin their coursework in the summer quarter.
BIOL 200AB |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II (5, 5) |
CHEM 151, 152 |
Fundamentals of Chemistry I, II (5, 5) |
CHEM 353 |
Nutritional Aspects of Biochemistry (5) |
MICR 151 |
Introductory Microbiology (4) |
NTRS 210 |
Foundations of Food (4) |
NTRS 317 |
Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (4) |
The secondary application should be sent to:
Cal State L.A.
School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science – PE 206
5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032
NOTE: This application may also be submitted in person during the quarter you are completing your last prerequisite courses.
Students completing the MS degree in Nutritional Science may concurrently complete either the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or the Coordinated Dietetics Program (CDP)
International Students:
Your transcripts must be evaluated before we can give you credit for coursework taken. You will need to visit the webpage at http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/CADE_398_ENU_HTML.htm to find an agency that is approved by the American Dietetic Association to evaluate your transcripts. Once your transcripts have been evaluated, they should be sent or brought directly to the School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science.