Master of Science in Nutrition

The purpose of the Master of Science in Nutrition is to provide students with a solid overview of nutritional science, theory and research in preparation for future doctoral study or for employment in research and development, public policy, or the prevention and wellness field. Graduates with this degree are eligible in some states for certification as nutritionists with a limited scope of practice. Training in critically evaluating and conducting nutrition-related research is emphasized.  

Expected Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• critically evaluate and apply scientific evidence pertaining to issues in human nutrition in states of health and of disease.
• demonstrate competence in executing the components of the scientific method and in independent scholarship in human nutrition.
• communicate the influences of culture, environment and policy on food choice, human nutrition, and metabolism.

Admissions

For general information on the admissions process, refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. Information below refers only to the graduate nutrition program.  

Prerequisites

Entering students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university and a minimum GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 in the last 45 credits in their undergraduate degree, or a B or better in Human Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, and a C or better in all other prerequisite courses. Exceptional candidates who do not meet these standards will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

^*Must be science major level and not survey-level with at least one lab in any science class.

Note: Biochemistry course must have been taken within seven years of program start.   

Graduation Requirements

MSN students must complete a minimum of 78 credits. All MSN students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA with a minimum of 52 credits in residence. MSN students must complete their degree within five years following matriculation into the program. A research thesis is required for graduation, which will be electronically deposited in a publicly available (open access) repository. (See Policy/Procedure #11-C55.)  

Thesis Credit and Continuation Policy

Students must be registered for at least one credit each quarter (except summer quarter) in order to continue in the program. If a student completes the credit requirements for the degree but requires more time to complete the thesis, that student will have two options.

Option 1 – The student can register for Thesis Continuation. Thesis Continuation is a 0 credit “course” that maintains the student’s enrollment at Bastyr University. The fee for Thesis Continuation is equivalent to the tuition for one credit. The registration and payment deadlines for Thesis Continuation are the same as those published for regular registration activities. Students who do not register for Thesis Continuation or fail to pay the fee are not permitted to utilize faculty time or other University resources.

Option 2 – The student can apply for a leave of absence from the University until ready to complete and present the thesis. Students may consult with the Office of the Registrar or see Student Policies and Procedures for details about applying for a leave of absence. Students on a leave of absence are not permitted to utilize faculty time or other University resources. When the student is ready to complete and present the thesis, they will need to register for Thesis Continuation.