Graduate Student Resources
Graduate study is both exciting and challenging, and the Department of Nutritional Sciences is committed to helping every student thrive. This resource hub connects you to the offices, services, and tools that support your academic, professional, and personal success at UConn. Whether you’re seeking research guidance, funding information, or community connections, we’re here to ensure you have what you need to grow and succeed throughout your graduate journey.
Welcome to the department!
Graduate Program FAQs
What kind of graduate programs does the department offer?
The Department of Nutritional Sciences offers both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences, as well as a Master of Science in Personalized Nutrition. University of Connecticut undergraduates can also pursue a fast track pathway (4 + 1 program) that allows them to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences or a Master of Science in Personalized Nutrition degree in 5 years. Students in the MS and PhD in Nutritional Sciences elect to emphasize one of four areas in human nutrition: Molecular Nutrition, Metabolism, Community/Public Health Nutrition, and Food Science/Nanotechnology. Each emphasis area is interdisciplinary in approach and is supported by a broad range of local, national, and international collaborations. In addition to coursework and graduate exams, the MS in Nutritional Sciences program usually requires a thesis and the Ph.D. program requires a dissertation. The MS in Personalized Nutrition is fully online and does not require a thesis. This specialized MS in Personalized Nutrition uniquely combines courses in nutrigenomics, clinical nutrition, and nutritional biochemistry to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills for Personalized Nutrition professionals.
Do you offer an online graduate degree program?
Yes, we have a separate online graduate program – the MS in Personalized Nutrition (MSPN) program. Some courses are shared between our MS/PhD in NUSC and MSPN programs and may be offered in the online format. We also have online graduate certificate programs in Precision Nutrition and Plant-Based Nutrition.
What are the prerequisites for your graduate programs?
- MS/PhD in Nutritional Sciences
- Recommended Course Preparation: College-level nutrition, biochemistry, and human physiology. If a student is admitted without taking one of these recommended courses, they would take the course the first semester they are in our grad program before taking the more advanced graduate courses. Thus, it is recommended that you take these kinds of courses prior to applying for our graduate program to maximize the likelihood of acceptance.
- MS in Personalized Nutrition (Online)
- Requirement: College-level biochemistry or equivalent.
- Recommended Course Preparation: College-level physiology and nutrition
How long does it take to complete a graduate degree?
The time to degree will vary depending on the pace that coursework is completed, research focus, lab or faculty advisor, previous background of student, and progress of the student in the program. For MS in Nutritional Sciences track, the time to degree is usually 2 years, but can be between 1-3 years depending on prior coursework and research thesis progress. For PhD in Nutritional Sciences track, the time to degree is usually between 3-6 years, depending on prior graduate degrees/prior coursework and doctoral dissertation progress.
Does your program fulfill requirements for the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential?
Our graduate programs are not focused on fulfilling dietetics coursework requirements for the RDN credential. Our undergraduate DPD program meets these requirements. If you have questions about dietetics, contact our dietetic program coordinator, Rhonda Puglisi: rhonda.puglisi@uconn.edu.