The master's in food and nutrition program is a part of the Department of Public & Allied Health in the College of Health & Human Services

Three BGSU students in an on-campus food science lab examine a solution with a professor. Study Food and nutrition online, or on campus.

Masters Available
Offered Online

Masters Available
Offered Online

Master of Food and Nutrition

The study of our relationship with food has never been more relevant than it is today. BGSU’s Master of Food and Nutrition program is designed for those interested in the advanced study of food and nutrition who have a baccalaureate degree in food, nutrition or a related field.

Available on-campus or online, this degree can be tailored by selecting additional topics in nutrition. You may also choose other areas of study such as public health, psychology, exercise physiology and education. Our talented faculty members will use their professional expertise and scholarship to help you meet your professional goals.

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The advanced study of food, nutrition and health

You can adapt the BGSU master’s in food and nutrition degree to a wide variety of possible professional outcomes including becoming a food scientist, nutrition educator, clinical dietitian, clinical nutrition manager, sports dietitian or company dietitian/wellness manager.

BGSU also has a dietetics internships program with initial ACEND accreditation that offers a potential pathway to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Stand Out in courses

Community and Public Health Nutrition
Micronutrients Through the Life Span
Research Methods in Food and Nutrition
Macronutrients for Human Nutrition
Advanced Clinical Nutrition

Our customizable program may be tailored to your career goals and academic strengths and may be completed full-time or part-time, online or on-campus.

Your Degree, Your Way

The 100% online nature of the BGSU courses allows students to study at their pace and schedule. The significant benefits of greater scheduling freedom and savings on time and travel costs mean the course fits your current commitments. eCampus programs have access to the same world-class academics as our on-campus programs. BGSU has shown its commitment to quality online programs by being selected by the Ohio Board of Regents as a “Host Center of Excellence for E-learning.” With straightforward requirements for entry and graduation, achieving the MFN will demonstrate skill and expertise in human nutrition to employers and clients.

Curriculum

The BGSU Master’s in Food and Nutrition degree includes core coursework in macronutrients, micronutrients, research methods, community and public health nutrition, and clinical nutrition. You will also choose from a variety of electives to meet their personal and professional interests:

Public Health
Clinical Nutrition
Psychology
Exercise Physiology
Education
Scientific Writing
Weight Management
Phytochemicals
Lifecycle Nutrition
Sports Nutrition

You will be prepared to use evidence-based research and critically evaluate emerging food and nutrition resources.

To wrap up your degree, you will work with your graduate coordinator or major advisor to choose a culminating experience that meets your goals and interests. Students can choose from a thesis and non-thesis option.

Students in the Master’s of Food and Nutrition may wish to combine their graduate studies with a dietetic internship.

Unmatched Student Support

BGSU is the only university in Ohio and only one of ten in the nation to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate that recognizes our commitment to online student success. The eCampus team proudly offers a one-stop-shop experience for all of your questions. Our main goal is simple: your success from registration to graduation

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Career

Nutritionists and dietitians help people establish diet patterns that work for their health needs. Professionals with these skills have never been more in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment rates for dietitians and nutritionists are expected to increase by 11 percent during the decade spanning 2020 and 2030.

Developments in preventative health care could be driving this growth, along with the nation’s obesity epidemic, increases in avoidable diseases and conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes. In reaction to these issues, peoples’ interest in taking charge of their health has never been higher.

The BLS also finds that the 2020 median pay for Dietitians and Nutritionists is $63,090 per year, or $30.33 per hour.

Go Far in your career

Clinical Dietitian - Pediatrics
Clinical Nutrition Manager
Nutrition Educator
Sports Dietitian
Food Scientist
Company Dietitian/Wellness Manager

BGSU climbs in national rankings, remains the No. 1 university in the Midwest students would choose again

Become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist

If you have a food and nutrition bachelor’s degree, upon graduation with your master’s in food and nutrition, you could earn a verification statement towards qualification for a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) internship. You must also meet the didactic requirements based on the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Standards.

Program courses may also be used to meet some but not all of the RDN didactic requirements. If you do not have a food and nutrition or dietetic undergraduate degree, completing the master’s in food and nutrition degree alone will not provide you with a verification statement needed for a dietetic internship.

A verification statement is a final step before applying for and completing an accredited dietetics internship and passing the national and state registration examinations. You would then become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

If you wish to pursue becoming a Registered Dietitian but do not have an F&N/dietetic undergraduate degree, please contact the Undergraduate Dietetics Director. They will review your transcripts and help you plan your course of study to meet the didactic requirements based on the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Standards to earn a verification statement.

Coverdell Fellowship in the master's in food and nutrition degree program

The Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellows Program (USA) is a graduate fellowship program that offers financial assistance to returned volunteers who wish to earn, in this case, a degree in the master's in food and nutrition program. The master’s in food and nutrition program officially became a Peace Corps Fellows program in December 2012.

Aligning itself as a Peace Corps Fellows program illustrates the Peace Corps’ recognition of the food and nutrition master’s degree as one that academically builds upon returned volunteers’ practical international experience and provides the opportunity for returned volunteers to fulfill the Third Goal of the Peace Corps, which is to promote American understanding of the world and its people.

Steps to Apply

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You will be able asked for the following during the online application process:

Three letters of recommendation
Personal statement describing your background and professional goals

A current professional resume

Apply for the Master’s in Food and Nutrition - online program

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Submit Transcripts

Submission of scanned copies of official or unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended. Upon admission, final official transcripts from each degree granting institution must be submitted. (minimum 3.0 GPA)
BGSU is temporarily waiving GRE and GMAT requirements for all master's degree and graduate certificate programs through spring 2024.

Official transcripts and test scores are to be sent to:

Graduate College
200 University Hall
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403

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Application Deadlines and Internship Information

All application materials for distance students to the MFN degree program must be submitted by:

July 15th - Fall admission deadline
December 1st - Spring admission deadline
April 15th - Summer admission deadline

Master’s degree students may wish to combine their graduate studies with a dietetic internship. BGSU’s dietetic internship program is currently granted initial accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

In addition to completing the Master’s degree admission requirements, applicants must participate through the D&D dietetic internship-matching program.

If you wish to pursue becoming a Registered Dietitian but do not have a F&N/dietetic undergraduate degree, please contact the Undergraduate Dietetics Director. They will review your transcripts and help you plan your course of study to meet the didactic requirements based on the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Standards in order to earn a verification statement. This may require one or more years of undergraduate coursework.

If you do not have a F&N/dietetic undergraduate degree, completion of the MFN degree alone will not provide you with a verification statement toward a dietetic internship.

Students are selected based on academic performance, relevant work experience, letters of recommendation and civic and/or college activities.

You will be enrolled in and receive your graduate degree from the College of Health and Human Services

Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Eligible students may choose to complete the master's program in conjunction with a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship program. The dietetic internship program is granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

More information on accreditation

Professional Licensure

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The master's in food and nutrition program does not lead to professional licensure.

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The master’s in food and nutrition is a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

Updated: 10/11/2022 03:04PM