Human Nutrition

Coordinator: Rosa A. Mo, Lecturer, Ed.D., R.D.N., Columbia University

The purpose of the program leading to the master of science degree in human nutrition is to provide high-quality nutrition education at the graduate level for working adult students in the food, pharmaceutical, and allied health fields so that they can apply up-to-date and in-depth nutritional knowledge in their areas of specialization and gain a foundation for further study at the Ph.D. level. This biomedically oriented program has a solid scientific foundation with a strong focus on the role of nutrition in health and disease. Therefore, the curriculum is designed to give graduates a deep understanding of the close connections among nutrition, health, and disease as well as to provide them with the body of knowledge necessary to understand these connections and the evidence supporting them.

For the convenience of students whose work schedules and other obligations preclude attendance at evening classes, this program is offered on a weekend schedule. Classes meet monthly on the main campus, both Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The master of science in human nutrition program is affiliated with the Yale-New Haven Hospital Dietetic Internship.

Admission Policy

This program is most appropriate for registered dietitians and certain other licensed health professionals or for high school science teachers and/or others with undergraduate majors in chemistry or the biological sciences. Minimum admission requirements are a fouryear baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or equivalent, with an above-average undergraduate record including successfully completed course work in introductory biochemistry or organic chemistry plus human anatomy and physiology.

International students requiring full-time status need to register for the Nutritional Genomics concentration. The requirements for MS in Human Nutrition with a Nutritional Genomics concentration for international applicants are:

1. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
2. Minimum grade of "B" or better in Biochemistry with a minimum of 3 credits.
3. Minimum grade of "B" or better in Anatomy and Physiology with a minimum of 4 credits.
4. Minimum TOEFL of 80 or IELTS of 6.5. (No conditional admission and no ELS level 112 certificates are acceptable.)
5. Applicants who wish to become Registered Dietitians must submit an International Credential Evaluation along with their foreign transcripts. Please click on this link provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for more details.
6. International students are accepted only in the fall term with no spring or summer admissions.

International applicants who meet all the above requirements, with the exception of items 2 & 3, will remain "in process" until they submit proof of meeting that requirement.