Select one of the options below:
Discover how to design and lead effective food and nutrition programs that integrate principles from biomedical sciences, human behavior, and management with CSU's unique dietitian degree. Online coursework will develop your research skills, stimulate independent thought, and provide up-to-date knowledge in foods, nutrition, and food service and business management.
This program is designed to meet the specific needs of those who are already Registered Dietitians or those with verification from a didactic program in dietetics (DPD). Promote health and disease management through food and nutrition programs and make a difference in the lives of others by advancing your current level of practice.
Working in the dietetics and nutrition field involves communicating with a wide range of people, from students or clients, to supervisors and team members. This program provides you with the knowledge, flexibility, and creativity you need to offer individualized answers that fit each situation and client. If you enjoy working with people, using deductive reasoning, and consider yourself sensitive to others' needs, this online master's in dietetics could be the program for you.
Extend your educational background beyond an undergraduate degree to take advantage of better job prospects and the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree upon completion. Designed to meet the specific needs of those who are already Registered Dietitians working in the field, completion of this online master's degree can help you:
As a student in CSU's online dietitian degree program, you earn a master's degree from a regionally accredited, renowned research institution, while taking online courses at times and locations that fit your busy life.
In addition, this master's in dietetics is offered through a partnership of 20 public universities known as the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA). Benefit from the collaboration of eight of those universities by having access to expert faculty and curriculum from each institution while earning your degree from CSU.
Find out how CSU’s research is making an impact by tuning into the CHHS Health and Human Science Matters Podcast, a collection of lively, engaging conversations with members of the college community.
The master's degree in dietetics requires completion of 37 semester credits; six credits will be thesis or non-thesis research.
This course should be taken the first fall semester after acceptance into the CSU program. It is designed to help the CSU Home student through the CSU processes, understand the GP IDEA process, and have a greater understanding of Evidence Analysis research.
Basic components of the research process and the application of various research methods in dietetics, including the use of various research designs for answering research questions, methods for conducting research, evaluation of research articles, development of research proposals, communication of research findings, and demonstration of understanding of ethical issues in research.
ORStatistical methods applied to experimental and survey data from social or natural sciences; test of hypotheses concerning treatment means; linear regression; product-moment, rank, and biserial correlations; contingency tables and chi-square tests.
Review of current issues in the economic, social, ethical, political, legal, technological, and ecological environments in which foodservice, hospitality, and healthcare organizations operate. Learn about the impact of these changes on dietetics practice.
Interrelationships of micronutrients in terms of biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and nutrition. Emphasis will be placed on developing an understanding of how the coordination of structure and function is related to the metabolic needs of the cell and its response to the environment. This integrated approach will form the basis for evaluating the micronutrient needs of humans in both normal and altered metabolic states.
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to explore and integrate topics and ideas that are at the forefront of the field of nutritional science. The course will require students to examine topics that are new and/or controversial and have implications that range from the cellular/molecular /biochemical level up to clinical/educational level. The primary goal of this course will be to emphasize the integrative and complex nature of human nutrition research from basic science to clinical studies to population studies and dietary recommendations.
Students will work with their advisor and committee to complete their research and present the findings.
Select 15 credits from the following:
This course is designed to develop an understanding of nutrition, based upon knowledge of the biochemical and physiological process and functions of specific nutrients in meeting nutritional requirements. Emphasis will be placed upon the relationship of optimal nutrition and physical efficiency and performance.
Principles and practices of teaching individuals and groups to translate nutrition knowledge into action. Emphasis on research in and evaluation of nutrition education.
Advanced study of the magnitude, causes, and nature of hunger and undernourished in low income countries; emphasis on programs, policies and planning directed toward alleviating hunger.
This course examines the physiological, biochemical and nutritional aspects of disease processes relevant to infants and children up to 18 years of age. Medical nutrition therapy for a variety of medical conditions found in this population will be discussed including inborn errors of metabolism, food hypersensitivity, obesity, and diseases of the major organ systems.
This course identifies the basic physiological changes during aging and their impacts in health and disease. The focus will be on successful aging with special emphasis on physical activity and nutrition. Practical application to community settings is addressed.
Students will gain understanding of basic cancer biology and methodology used to study nutrition and cancer relationships. Using current research as a basis, the role of nutrition in specific cancers will be explored. Students will learn about sources of information for cancer prevention programs, and how to apply this information to clinical patient management.
The course will discuss the role of diet in disease including diet as a factor related to prevention of disease or illness, diet as an etiologic agent in illness and diet as a treatment for disease. Medical nutrition therapy is the use of specific nutrition services to treat an illness, injury or condition and involves two phases: 1) assessment and 2) treatment, which includes diet therapy, counseling and/or the use of specialized nutrition supplements.
This course is a critical examination of behavioral, physiological, and public health issues impacting dietary and nutritional factors that support normal growth and development. The course content focuses on the early stages of the life cycle: gestation, lactation, infancy, preschool, school age and adolescence. Topics include the fetal programming hypothesis, growth and nutritional requirements, breast and formula feeding of infants, infant weaning, and eating behaviors that lead to normal growth, growth faltering, and pediatric obesity.
The course is an overview on phytochemicals (non-nutritive biologically active compounds) from fruits, vegetables, cereals and oilseeds. It will cover recent findings on chemistry, physiological functions, potential health implications of phytochemicals and integrate and evaluate the regulatory principles, food science, nutrient science and nutritional metabolism for the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements for chronic disease prevention.
Grant writing, identifying external funding, managing grants, preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, and preparing papers and poster for presentation at professional meetings.
The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) is a partnership of 20 public university members providing access to the best educational opportunities by collaboratively developing and delivering high-quality, online academic programs. The dietetics program is a collaboration of eight of the member universities. The Great Plains IDEA is an academic alliance that offers fully-online graduate and undergraduate coursework and program options in high- demand, professional fields.
Each university has a campus coordinator who works with students through the various processes of the Great Plains IDEA. Campus coordinators work with home institution students to answer general questions about admission, programs, enrollment, scheduling, and graduation. They can also refer students to additional resources. Students work with the teaching institution campus coordinators to gain access to courses for which they are enrolled.
All courses are delivered online. Students will utilize learning management systems (LMSes) at each partner institution. Each campus coordinator will facilitate access to the LMS at the teaching institution prior to the first day of class. The courses are a semester long with courses offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
The delivery of course content may vary from online lectures to supplemental readings and assignments, to group projects, and all of the above. Each instructor designs his/her courses to meet the learning objectives.
While this degree allows students the convenience of accessing course material when and where it is most convenient, it definitely requires a commitment of time and attention. Students should plan to spend nine to twelve hours per week on a three-credit course. Time required will vary depending on students' learning style and previous coursework.
Registered dietitians with master's degrees work in a variety of settings as clinical nutrition managers including hospitals, sports programs, food and nutrition industries and businesses, private practice, and research. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, and dietitians will play an increasingly important role in preventing obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease. An aging baby boomer population will also result in an increased demand for dietitians in nursing homes and home healthcare settings.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
As a student in CSU’s online dietetics master’s program, you receive a degree from a regionally accredited, renowned research institution while taking courses at times and locations that fit your busy life. Additionally, you can expect:
Learn more about CSU's rankings and accolades.
Fall semester | January 15 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowThe Master of Science (M.S.) in Food Science and Nutrition requires applicants to have the following:
Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement. Before your application for graduate study is considered, all application materials must be received by the department.
Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.
Complete the online graduate application form and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.
Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.
Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.
Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.
Mail (if necessary) Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.