Today's complex nutritional problems require professionals trained in an interdisciplinary approach that blends nutrition science with public health perspectives.
UMass Amherst's new fully online MPH in Nutrition-the only one of its kind in the nation-lets you earn your credentials at your own pace, from anywhere in the world, without interrupting your career. With no residency requirement, you can fit your studies around your job as you enjoy highly interactive online coursework, extensive Internet library resources, discussions with professional colleagues from around the world, and access to UMass Amherst's renowned faculty and academic advisers. Boost your scientific background and build skills in program planning, policymaking, needs assessment, and public health research as you solidify your future in this critical emergent field.
Curriculum/Credits:
The MPH in Nutrition trains health and nutrition professionals to solve complex health and nutrition issues and provide services for growing populations of older adults and other vulnerable groups. Working in interdisciplinary teams, students provide evidenced-based approaches in coursework and incorporate critical thinking and experiential learning to solve community-based health problems ranging from obesity and chronic disease to malnutrition, food insecurity, and nutritional deficiencies.
Degree candidates include working professionals with doctoral and MD degrees, registered dietitians, health educators, WIC nutrition educators, and others in related fields. Candidates studying part time can expect to complete all required coursework in three years.
The program consists of 44 credits, including:
- Core graduate-level public health courses (15 credits)
- Nutrition courses (17 credits)
- Elective Course (3 credits), Practicum (3 credits), and Project or Additional Courses (6 credits)
Program Highlights:
- Fully online, part-time learning format allows students to graduate within three years
- Interactive program lets you share ideas with colleagues from all over the world
- First - rate faculty
- Tradition of leadership in public health and nutrition science
Learn more about this program:
To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please complete the request form .
Click here for more information on the Online Master's Degree of Public Health in Nutrition.
Registration is administered through UMass Amherst University Without Walls. Please see Fee Schedule below.
| Type of Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fee per credit | $615 |
| Registration Fee per semester | $60 |
| Application Fee | $80 |
| Returned Check Fee per semester** | $30 |
Click here to browse our course listings.
*applicable when you register after deadline; non-refundable unless course has been cancelled.
** applicable when checks returned unpaid
*** Courses can vary from one to six credits; this total represents a standard 3 credit course
There is also a one-time $507 Graduate Registrar's Service Fee, which is a one-time fee paid by all entering matriculated graduate students.
The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
The Master's of Public Health in Nutrition is fully accredited but The Council on Education for Public Health.
The online Master's Degree of Public Health in Nutrition is designed for full-time, working health and nutrition professionals including those with doctoral and MD degrees, Registered Dietitians, health educators, WIC nutrition educators, and other related fields. Health care professionals who are not planning academic careers, but who plan to continue working in the health care field are encouraged to apply.
Admission requirements
In addition to the Graduate School's general admission requirements, applicants must have:
- An advanced degree in a health-related area or status as a Registered Dietitian
OR
- A Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Background in health and/or biological sciences preferred.
- The Bachelor’s degree must be from an American college or university, or an international equivalent degree.
- At least two years of relevant public health-related work experience.
- At least two undergraduate level courses in Nutrition
- At least one undergraduate level course in Human Physiology.
Application deadline
March 1 (for fall semester); October 1 (for spring semester)
Admission is competitive - Apply early! Here's how…
2. To submit a secure online application go to SPIRE and in the right column under Apply/References click “Apply for Graduate Study.".
3. A personal statement plus 2-3 letters of recommendation are required from individuals best suited to assess the applicant's abilities. Please ask current employers, former supervisors, and colleagues.
4. Request original official transcripts in duplicate from each college or university you have attended.
5. Current Resume/CV
Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with your program manager or advisor to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid. Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.
- Fill out the FAFSA form at studentaid.gov.
- It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Amherst school code number 002221.
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"I have been busy since graduating from the online MPH in Nutrition Program at UMass Amherst and UMassOnline. I finally opened the Mothers Milk Center at work! This centralizes how we handle mothers milk and changes all steps related to human milk from storage to fortification and discharge. This has been a huge project. Your graduate program and projects associated with the classes really helped me tackle this overwhelming task from researching best practice, designing the room, writing policies and forms to use in the center as well as developing hospital-wide education. I also got a raise and promotion — I am now the Clinical Nutrition Manager of Lactation!"
- Ellen Lechtenberg, MPH, RD, IBCLC
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"The MPH-nutrition program at University of Massachusetts Amherst is awesome! I am a busy clinician, and the convenience of an on-line MPH was appealing. However, the individualized approach, the outstanding faculty, and the high caliber of peers combined into an interactive teaching environment has totally surpassed my expectations. I have absolutely enjoyed every aspect of this superb program, and I highly recommend it."
- Joan Temmerman, MD
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"Getting my masters of public health in nutrition from UMASS Online was an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to learn from other healthcare professionals in a dynamic, flexible learning environment. As an adult learner, I appreciated the applicably of the knowledge that I gained from my instructors and fellow classmates. I also gain clinical research experience and have published two articles on the projects that I did during my times as a student at UMASS, I highly recommend this program!"
- Elizabeth Pogge, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, FASCP
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"Even with a full-time job and being a busy mom, I never felt overwhelmed by the coursework. The classes were stimulating and I was able to use the knowledge obtained in real time in my practice as a community dietitian. Best of all, I had the unique opportunity of interacting with fellow classmates, benefiting from a wealth of expertise shared in their respective fields. I am constantly recommending the program to others in my field since it's easy to fit it around busy schedules"
- Laura Sprauer, MPH, RD
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"The MPH-Nutrition program at UMass Amherst was excellent, and a perfect fit for me. The teachers and students alike were brilliant. The classroom discussion boards gave me the opportunity to interact with professionals all over the world. Today, I use the knowledge gained from the MPHN program to design and implement nutrition programs at worksites in my community and across the globe."
- Nicole Geurin, MPH, RD
Nutrition Consultant, Corporate Wellness Dietitian
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"I had an incredibly rewarding experience in the UMass Amherst MPH in Nutrition program. The faculty were personable, had well-organized courses, consistently showed interest in helping students maximize their potential and understanding of the material presented. On a daily basis, I found myself actively utilizing the information from classes to improve community programs in my job. My peer cohort came from a variety of backgrounds, and their experiences and knowledge broadened my perspectives on many public health and nutrition topics. As a visual learner, I found that I learned and absorbed more information in a shorter period of time than I would have in a standard classroom. I highly recommend this program!"
- Amanda Sylvie, MPH, RD, LD
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"The UMass MPH in Nutrition program perfectly suited my needs for a part-time, highly flexible program just as I was trying to find my way in the local food and nutrition community. Not only did I get the education I was after, but many of the requirements gave me exposure and experience throughout Pasadena and Los Angeles. I am able to spend about half my time as a consultant involved in community initiatives, program design, and evaluation projects. However, the most exciting result of this degree was completely unexpected: I now teach about the impact of food and water choices on our environment at Pasadena City College. Although not strictly public health employment, I never would have had this opportunity without the MPH in Nutrition degree. My fond memories of the online program have led me to develop some online courses to roll out in the next year or so."
- Kristen Farley, PhD, MPH
