Applied Nutrition: Focus your studies

The Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program at UNE Online is a 36 credit-hour program that can be completed in as little as two years. It is 100% online, with no campus visits required, and no GRE is required for admission. Our program offers four optional focus areas in various aspects of nutrition.

What you’ll get with your Master of Science in Applied Nutrition

The mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition is to prepare individuals for leadership roles in the field of nutrition, to advance knowledge and expand skills that promote excellence and innovation in all areas of nutrition practice, and to emphasize evidence-based best practices to support the well-being and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through education, research, and service.

Why we developed our nutrition focus areas

In order to meet the academic and career goals of our students, the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition at UNE Online has been designed so you can specialize in a particular subject area. The way the program is structured, you have the option to select a focus area for your degree.

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Course overview*

In total, students enrolled in the master’s program complete 12 courses for a total of 36 credit hours.

• Six required core courses
• One Capstone course
• Five electives
  • Your Student Support Specialist will work with you to design a plan of study that best fits your needs.

Focus areas in nutrition

The Master of Science in Applied Nutrition is customizable with several optional focus areas:

• Obesity and Health Promotion
• Nutrition and Disease Prevention
• Sustainable Nutrition
• Custom Focus Area

Focus area: Obesity and Health Promotion

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of the cultural, environmental, psychosocial, physical, and economic factors associated with obesity. Students will also graduate from the program with the skills and knowledge to work toward lessening the impact of obesity on communities and individuals.

This area of study develops your skills around the multifaceted issue of obesity. You will be able to:

• Define overweight and obesity in children and adults, and demonstrate an understanding of obesity-related topics.
• Describe the prevalence and trends in child/adult obesity in the U.S. and around the globe.
• Identify the medical, psychosocial, and economic costs associated with obesity in children and adults.
• Compare and evaluate the effectiveness of obesity prevention and treatment approaches at the individual and community levels.
• Assess existing policy and regulatory approaches to obesity management and propose new approaches to increase positive outcomes.

Course plan*

• Six required core courses
• Four electives
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition, and Wellness
  • Nutrition and Nutrition Information in the Media
  • Overweight and Obesity
• Capstone and co-requisite:
  • Clinical Management of Overweight and Obesity
  • Applied Nutrition

Students interested in the Obesity and Health Promotion focus area often have experience in health-related professions, dietetics, nutrition, wellness, health promotion, psychology, or exercise science.

Students choosing to focus on this degree path are often interested in a career in school nutrition, wellness coaching, weight management services, research, or community programs related to obesity.

Focus area: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of nutrition-related disease with a focus on disease prevention through evidence-based practice.

This area of study develops well-rounded nutrition professionals focused on disease prevention. As a graduate, you will be able to:

• Critically analyze nutrition research literature and apply it to relevant and current nutrition situations.
• Understand, at a deep level, the most recent developments in the field of nutrition.
• Translate theories of health behaviors into applicable practice models.
• Communicate nutrition messages effectively to a wide variety of audiences.
• Design and conduct research to include identifying research hypotheses, developing survey instruments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports.

Course plan*

• Six required core courses
• Four electives
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • Micronutrients: Nutrition and Functional Applications
  • Nutrition Therapy for Clinical Practice
  • Nutrition Counseling and Communication
• Capstone and co-requisite:
  • Advanced Nutrition Research
  • Applied Nutrition

Students interested in the Nutrition and Disease Prevention focus area may have experience in health-related professions, dietetics, nutrition, wellness, health promotion, business, psychology, or exercise science.

Students choosing to focus on this area of applied nutrition are often interested in a career in nutrition leadership, workplace wellness management, health coaching, community program development or research.

Focus area: Sustainable Nutrition

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of global food systems and sustainable approaches to agricultural, production and consumer networks, as well as the interrelationship of socio-economic, environmental and political influences on various aspects of nutrition.

Individuals selecting this focus area might have prior knowledge or experience in nutrition, agriculture, advocacy, health-related professions, dietetics, wellness, or health promotion, and be interested in a career in nutrition advocacy, policy, sustainable food systems and local and global approaches to solving issues in the field of nutrition.

Course plan*

• Six required core courses
• Five electives:
  • Nutrition, Wellness, and Multimedia Communications
  • Dietary Practices and the Environment
  • Global Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Policy
  • Food Justice and Advocacy
  • Advanced Nutrition Research
• Capstone

Custom Focus Area

The custom focus area is a fourth focus area that allows the student to choose from the courses across the optional focus areas. This option is offered for the cases in which the student feels that their personal or professional goals are not satisfied by our other three predetermined focus areas. Our goal is to develop well-rounded nutrition professionals skilled in multiple competency areas of nutrition study and practice.

Students choosing a custom path for their educational journey are encouraged to work with their Student Support Specialist to determine a customized Program of Study. You choose your own path that both meets program competencies and satisfies your educational and professional goals.

Course plan*

• Six required core courses
• Four electives
• One Capstone and co-requisite course

This option allows you to take the required first-year classes, and then choose your electives to diversify your educational plan of study in order to best meet your personal and professional needs.

Who to turn to for guidance

One of the great services that we offer at UNE Online is a strong support model for each of our students. From the time you are accepted until the time you graduate, you will regularly touch base with your Student Support Specialist. They’ll check in to make sure you’re on track, and if you were to want to change your initial academic plan, they will work with you to design a new plan.

Our goal is to help you reach your goals.

*Course plans are subject to change year after year. Check with your Student Support Specialist and the Academic Calendar for the most up to date course offerings and requirements.

Interested in getting your M.S. in Applied Nutrition in one of these focus areas?  Let’s chat! Give us a call at 1(855) 751-4447 or reach out via email at nutrition@une.edu.

Ready to apply? fill out an online application today at online.une.edu/gateway-portal-page – we look forward to hearing from you!