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Nutrition MS - Clinical Nutrition Option

Master of Science in Nutrition - Clinical Nutrition Option

Are you passionate about food and nutrition? Do you want to help people make dietary choices that serve to manage and even prevent disease? Clinical nutrition plays a vital role in health care. Build on your education and training and enhance your abilities to make a difference in countless lives at the University of Central Missouri. UCM’s Master of Science in Nutrition, which includes a Clinical Nutrition option founded on the Future Education Model (FEM), helps you quickly meet the requirements to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Our FEM-based Clinical Nutrition program has candidacy accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). It was launched in 2021 to meet ACEND requirements for nutrition master’s programs. Our commitment to their standards ensures you can earn the verification statement required for the registration exam for dietitian nutritionists by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

You’ll get this enhanced, quality education at some of the nation’s most affordable tuition rates. On top of that, any student who enrolls in UCM’s Clinical Nutrition degree program automatically receives a $1,000 scholarship.

Complete your Clinical Nutrition degree fast at UCM

At UCM, we offer an 1.5 year path to achieve your Master of Science in Nutrition degree and start helping others as quickly as possible. With UCM’s online and hybrid master’s degrees in Nutrition, you’ll also have flexibility in completing your Clinical Nutrition degree while you manage other aspects of life.

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Instant scholarship for enrollment

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15 students per cohort

A certificate

Early adopter of the FEM

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Hands-on, real-world experience

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18-month master’s program

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Qualification for the RDN exam

What you will study

When you choose UCM’s FEM program in Clinical Nutrition, plan to spend your first two semesters training in nutrition coursework (didactic). You’ll combine your coursework with supervised experiential learning (SEL) performed in the Kansas City area during your last two semesters. 

Coursework for your Master of Science in Nutrition degree

Complete the didactic portion of the program from the comfort of your home or other location, since UCM offers online master’s degrees in Nutrition. You’ll engage in interesting nutrition courses such as:

  • Nutrition Across the Lifespan
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Nutrition Education and Counseling 
  • Practical Applications in Nutrition Research

The capstone course offers training in the research process. You’ll then work with a preceptor or a UCM faculty member who has expertise and diverse interests in clinical nutrition to identify and develop a project that you’ll complete by applying the research process. The goal is to help you become a lifelong learner and contribute to advancements in clinical nutrition.

 

Excellence in Clinical Nutrition

  • At the University of Central Missouri, we’re committed to helping you meet the requirement to complete a master’s degree in Nutrition. Not only were we one of the first adopters to receive a Clinical Nutrition master’s degree with ACEND accreditation, but we also offer you quality and accelerated education from one of the most affordable online master’s degrees in nutrition.  
  • Named:  “Best Public University” among the Best Nutrition Degree Programs (Intelligent, 2022) 
  • #35: Top 50 Master's in Nutrition Online Programs (College Values Online, 2022). UCM was the only Missouri public university on the list.

 

Unique learning opportunities in clinical nutrition

The SEL activities you’ll complete in the second half of UCM’s FEM program in Clinical Nutrition deliver the knowledge and skills you need to practice as an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist. Plan to fulfill hands-on work in the Kansas City metro area, focusing on three aspects of nutrition master’s programs:

  • Clinical: Administer medical nutrition therapies in hospitals, ICUs and clinics for clients who have chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.
  • Community: Assist community organizations to assess needs and develop nutrition programs.
  • Management: Work with school district food service directors to engage in outreach and education and learn to follow the USDA regulations as you prepare menus.

The evidence-based practice, nutrition research and communication technologies you’ll use in these SEL activities will ensure you’ll be prepared to promote public health and wellness no matter your career path.

Additional hands-on experience for your Clinical Nutrition degree

As you complete coursework in UCM’s Master of Science in Nutrition program, take advantage of these valuable resources:

  • Food Lab: Access modern equipment for your research, including 16 workstations, individual ovens and industrial equipment.
  • Kinesiology equipment: Enjoy a working relationship with UCM’s Kinesiology department and use their facilities, such as the Human Performance Lab, to conduct research.

 

What can you do with a master’s degree in Nutrition from UCM?

Successfully completing UCM’s FEM program earns you a Master of Science in Nutrition and the verification statement required to sit for CDR’s Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). On day one after you pass your exam, you’ll be qualified to practice as an entry-level RDN in a variety of settings that include:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Schools
  • Community health centers
  • Federal programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
  • Fitness centers 
  • Food industry
  • Universities 

Getting a job with a master’s degree in Nutrition

As a student and as alumni of the University of Central Missouri, you’ll have access to our Career Services Center to explore career opportunities. In the meantime, use the interactive tool below to explore your career possibilities.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Clinical Nutrition degree

As you research nutrition master’s programs or online and hybrid master’s degrees in nutrition, consider the UCM resources available to assist you. All students enrolled in UCM’s Clinical Nutrition degree program will automatically receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Regina Myers McClain Endowment. We also make available information on loans, grants and employment opportunities to help fund your education

These resources, in addition to our recognition by LendEDU as a top-ranked university for low student debt, demonstrate our commitment to helping you get a quality graduate education. Additionally, you can also learn about program-specific scholarships at the .

 

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Explore programs related to clinical nutrition.

 

If you have an interest in helping people improve their health, you may also consider one of these UCM master’s programs:

 

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