COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Nutrition Science at CSUSB is a 32-unit graduate program designed to develop students’ expertise in nutrition science, applied research, and public health. Core courses provide a strong foundation in both macronutrient and micronutrient biochemistry, research methods, and nutrition assessment, while students gain practical experience through either a graduate thesis or a project in nutrition science. The program also includes the Nutrition Graduate Seminar, which students take twice to enhance their professional development, critical thinking, and engagement with current research in the field.Students personalize their studies by selecting 12 units of electives in areas of interest, allowing them to tailor the program to their career goals. Elective options include advanced topics such as nutrition across the lifespan, sports performance, medical nutrition therapy, complementary and alternative therapies, global nutrition, and public health nutrition. Other electives focus on management and leadership skills in nutrition and dietetic services, advanced epidemiology, health promotion, public health policy, grant writing, program planning, data science, and qualitative and survey research methods in public health.This combination of rigorous core courses, electives, and a culminating research or project experience equips graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct applied research, assess nutritional needs, and implement evidence-based interventions in diverse settings. Graduates are prepared for careers in nutrition practice, clinical research, public health, or specialized supervised-practice pathways and are able to analyze, design, and evaluate nutrition programs while addressing health challenges at both local and global levels. The program balances scientific and applied learning with professional development, producing graduates capable of advancing the field of nutrition through research, practice, and leadership in both clinical and community-based environments.