Our curriculum focuses on preparing students for careers in nutrition, exercise, health and healthcare, hospitality, and research.
Research, academia, governmental agencies, healthcare, and professional businesses are just a few of the career areas our graduates pursue.
We are proud to offer the following degrees:
- Master of Science (M.S., thesis and non-thesis, 6 Specializations)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D., research intensive, 2 Specializations)
Important information for consideration:
- Completion of an M.S. program takes approximately 2 years and a Ph.D. program, a minimum of 4 years.
- Applicants interested in research training and research careers should apply for M.S. Option A (research thesis) or Ph.D. (90 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, including master's degree coursework).
- Applicants interested in healthcare, dietetics, community nutrition, or hospitality careers should apply for the non-thesis master's.
- Students are recommended for admission by departmental graduate faculty.
- Research training programs, M.S. or Ph.D. with Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition Specialization, and Ph.D. in Human Sciences, require at least one faculty member who agrees to serve as the student's research advisor.
- Applicants focused on research must communicate with individual graduate faculty by providing compelling reasons why their application should be considered in addition to serving as their graduate research advisor. Detailing volunteer, professional, and research experience as well as demonstrating passion and interest in their areas of research are key components.
- To learn more about each graduate faculty members' areas of research, teaching, and other interests, review their bio pages online in the NHS faculty directory, online at: cehs.unl.edu/nhs/nhs-faculty-and-staff and/or complete a search for them online via PubMed pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov or Google Scholar scholar.google.com.
- Graduate assistantships for research and teaching are available for the upcoming fall semester on a competitive basis. Preference for admission, assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships is given to applicants who apply by February 15 for the fall semester. For more information, visit: go.unl.edu/2i7k. Please note: The application form is only for students who have already been admitted to our program. If you have not been admitted, please do not fill out this assistantship application.
Our graduate programs include:
MS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING
Athletic Training, 43 credits
Consists of didactic and supervised experiential learning over a 19-month period that prepares graduates for entry-level athletic training positions in various health care settings, working with a physically active population.
Program contact:
MS IN NUTRITION AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition Specialization, 30 credits
With a focus on Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition research, this specialization is designed for students seeking careers in academia and industry as nutritional specialists.
Program contact:
Community Nutrition and Health Promotion Specialization, 30 credits
Prepares students for careers in Extension and community health as well as those that provide community food and nutrition services for children, families, and older adults.
Program contact:
DIETETICS
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Professional Studies in Dietetics Specialization, 45 credits
Provides didactic and supervised experiential learning during a 16-month period while preparing graduates for entry-level positions in the dietetic profession. This specialization culminates in a graduate degree and verification statement leading to the ability to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
Program contact:
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Dietetics-Distance Program Online Specialization, 36 credits (decreasing to 32 credits beginning fall 2024)
For individuals who are already Registered Dietitians. This specialization teaches students to think independently and critically to evaluate and apply new research concepts and theories for career advancement.
Program contact:
Hospitality Management Specialization, 30 credits
Provides a combination of coursework and experiential learning to prepare students to become administrators and entrepreneurs within the hospitality industry.
Program contact:
Nutrition and Exercise Specialization, 30 credits
Students will acquire core competencies in nutrition, exercise, research design, and statistics.
Program contact:
Shinya Takahashi Associate Professor of Practice, Associate Department Chair, CEHS Academic Program Lead
Nutrition and Health Sciences, 30 credits
Students can tailor this program to their interests. Click here to view a listing of sample courses: catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/nutr/.
Program contact:
PHD IN NUTRITION, 90 credit hours with dissertation
(As there are no specializations for PhDs in Nutrition, these areas of focus will not appear on transcripts.)For students who hold a strong interest in nutrition research with a STEM focus, which is needed for many areas of optional practical training. Our nutrition research faculty focus in these areas:
Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition
Students will develop the skills needed to prepare them as principal investigators and leaders (e.g., grant writing, personnel management, media interactions, etc.) while acquiring necessary core competencies.
Program contact:
Nutrition and Health Sciences
Students can tailor this program to their specific interests. Click here to view a listing of sample courses: catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/nutr/.
Program contact:
Community Nutrition and Health Promotion
Prepares students for teaching, outreach, and research careers in Extension, community health, and related areas to lead community-based food, nutrition, and health programs for diverse groups of children, families, and older adults.
Program contact:
PHD IN HUMAN SCIENCES, 90 credit hours with dissertation
Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition Specialization
Designed to meet the needs of nutritional specialists with biochemical and molecular knowledge in academia, industry, government, and non-government organizations. Students will acquire necessary competencies through a combination of class work and cutting-edge laboratory research.
Program contact:
Nutrition and Health Sciences Specialization
Students can tailor this program to their specific interests. Click here to view a listing of sample courses: catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/nutr/.
Program contact:
Community Nutrition and Health Promotion
Prepares students for teaching, outreach, and research careers in Extension, community health, and related areas to lead community-based food, nutrition, and health programs for diverse groups of children, families, and older adults.
Program contact:
Exercise Physiology
Students will acquire advanced competencies in nutrition, exercise, research design, and statistics.
Program contact:
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN NUTRITION
Nutrition, Non-Coding RNAs and Extracellular Vesicles, 18 credits
- Pursued in conjunction with a MS or PhD degree in selected departments.
- For application information, visit Graduate Studies online at: graduate.unl.edu/academics/programs/NNEV-GCER.
Program contact:
Janos Zempleni Willa Cather Professor of Molecular Nutrition and Director of the Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases
Prerequisites for Admission
For nutrition, dietetics, and exercise, preference for admission includes completion of undergraduate courses documented on transcripts in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, human physiology, human anatomy, and advanced nutrition (for dietetics). Any potential course deficiencies should be discussed with your program contact or faculty advisor prior to admission. Admission prerequisites and requirements include:
- A bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, dietetics, exercise science, food science, health education, health sciences, hospitality/restaurant management, nutrition science, or other major related to their desired area of study. Applicants not having a relevant bachelor's degree are welcome to apply but should take prerequisite courses related to their desired area of study before applying.
- A confirmed advisor before applying. Applicants must communicate with individual graduate faculty by providing compelling reasons why their application should be considered in addition to serving as their graduate research advisor. Detailing volunteer, professional, and research experience as well as demonstrating passion and interest in their areas of research are key components. At least one faculty must agree to serve as the applicant's advisor before an applicant can submit their application. Applicants who apply without a confirmed advisor will be denied.
- Grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- If taking the GRE, preferred minimum GRE scores of 145 Verbal; 150 Quantitative; 3.0 Analytical (writing).
- Required minimum TOEFL score (International students only): 550 paper; 79 internet; or 6.5 IELTS.
- Three letters of recommendation to be considered for admission.
Application for Admission and Deadlines
Application information for the M.S. in Nutrition and Health Sciences (choose one of 6 Specializations) or the Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a specialization in Biomedical and Molecular Nutrition or Nutrition and Health Sciences can be found online at unl.edu/gradstudies/academics/programs/NUHS-MS and unl.edu/gradstudies/academics/programs/NTRN-PHD.
Preference for admission, assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships is given to applicants who apply by February 15 for the fall semester.
Applications submitted less than 4 months before the start of each semester may experience delays in processing (after April 15 for fall, after September 1 for spring, and after February 15 for summer). If you plan to submit a late application, notify the department of your intention to apply.
Application for Assistantships and Fellowships
Graduate assistantships for research and teaching, as well as fellowships and scholarships, are available for the upcoming fall semester on a competitive basis. A separate application is required. Additional information can be found online at cehs.unl.edu/nhs/assistantships-hourlypositions-fellowships.
