There are dozens of online Masters in Nutrition degree programs that do not require a GRE for admission into their program. Some programs also have a GRE waiver if you qualify (typical GRE waiver requirements can include: having a Bachelor's in Nutrition degree or similar undergraduate degree; extensive work experience in a nutrition field; excellent GPA for undergraduate degree).
As with any nutrition degree you are considering, be sure to speak with the admissions representatives to see if you meet all entry requirements for admission to their nutrition program.
Consider a sponsored online Nutrition program currently accepting applicants.
School | Program | Admissions |
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | MPH/Registered Dietitian (MPH/RD)
Three CEPH-accredited concentrations: MPH Leadership, MPH Nutrition, MPH Registered Dietitian (MPH/RD). |
University of New Haven | Online Master of Public Health
Focus areas in Global health, Health education and promotion, health informatics. Complete in 2 years or less. |
Why consider a Masters degree in Nutrition?
A Master's degree in Nutrition allows students to take their career and knowledge base to the next level. Note that as of this year - 2024 - the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics requires a master's degree to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
However, even those not pursuing the RDN credential can benefit from obtaining a Master's degree in Nutrition. Whether you plan to pursue and practice dietetics or not, there is valuable knowledge and skills that professionals across various industries can gain.
Nutrition Master's programs provide extensive training in nutrition science as well as clinical research, community outreach, counseling and more. Graduate-level nutrition programs prepare students to work in a variety of settings including research, government agencies, hospitals, universities, sports teams and private practices.
In depth review of Online Masters in Nutrition with No GRE Required for entry
University of North Carolina - Online MPH/Registered Dietitian (MPH/RD)
The MPH Registered Dietitian (MPH/RD) program prepares students to meet the course and field requirements necessary to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam. In addition to completing our rigorous curriculum — which integrates the study of nutrition, dietetics and public health — students will work with our placement services team to accrue 1,000 field experience hours in a variety of health settings. Three CEPH-accredited concentrations: MPH Leadership, MPH Nutrition, MPH Registered Dietitian (MPH/RD).
Arizona State University
Arizona State University has an online Master of Science with a concentration in dietetics degree. The dietetics degree features courses in Chronic Inflammation and Metabolic Syndrome, Geriatric Nutrition and Ethics and Policy of American Diets. There are 10 total classes and 30 total credit hours. This program is specifically designed for Registered Dietitians or those who have completed an accredited DPD program. Despite the program being online, students have the opportunity to interact with faculty members beyond classwork.
In order to apply students must submit official transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation and pay a fee. Current registered dietitian credentials or a DPD verification statement are also required for admission. No GRE needed.
The University of North Dakota online Masters in Nutrition - No GRE
The University of North Dakota offers an online master's degree in Nutrition. The program takes 2 years to complete and includes 30 credit hours. The Nutrition degree has two specialized tracks students can pick from: Nutrition Science and Nutrition Education and Counseling. The Nutrition Science track focuses on nutrigenomics and clinical nutrition. This track aligns with the requirements to become a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS).
The other track is Nutrition Education and Counseling, which focuses on nutrition coaching and education. While this program is offered online, students who pursue the Nutrition Education and Counseling track are required to visit campus for one week to fulfill a required practicum experience. Courses offered include Nutrition and Health Coaching, Nutrition in Disease Prevention and Clinical Nutrition Care.
This program is designed for those with a bachelor's degree in Nutrition seeking to expand their knowledge. Applicants can apply for fall, spring or summer admissions. The GRE is not required to apply.
The University of Georgia Online Master of Science in Nutrition no GRE
The University of Georgia offers an online Master of Science in Nutrition with a focus in Community Nutrition. This track prepares graduates to be industry experts in the food industry and community settings. The degree takes less than one calendar year to complete, but students are given six years for completion. There are 30 total credits and courses are offered year round. Nutrition Intervention, Nutrition and Obesity and Community Nutrition are a few of the required core 18 credits. There are also 3 credits of Research Methods and 9 Elective credits. Due to the community focus, many of the elective courses focus on organization and development.
To be admitted, students must have an undergraduate degree and have completed at least one semester of basic biology or chemistry. Three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose are also needed. No GRE required. There is fall, spring and summer admission dates into the program.
Northeastern University Master of Science in Applied Nutrition No GRE
Northeastern University has a Master of Science in Applied Nutrition. The program is 45 credits and can be completed in 1.5 to 2 years as a part time student. Students can concentrate in one of five specialty areas: Obesity and Nutritional Health, Integrative Health and Wellness, Nutrition and Fitness, Business and Entrepreneurship in Nutrition and Nutrition Education. Example courses include Healthy Aging, Eating Disorders in Children and Adults and Wellness in Practice. The program is unique as classes are taught by real-world practitioners including dietitians and clinical psychologists.
To be eligible for admission, applicants must have completed the following courses: Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and General Nutrition. An online application that includes a statement of purpose, undergraduate transcripts and two letters of recommendation are also needed. No GRE required.
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas offers an online master's degree in Nutrition. The program is tailored to students who have the RD credential or have completed an accredited dietetic internship. There are 36 total credit hours comprised of three components. There are 15 hours of core courses, 3 credits of research courses and 18 elective credits. Electives classes offered include Healthcare Administration, Public Health Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition.
In order to apply, students must submit official undergraduate transcripts, a personal statement, resume and proof of their RD credential. No GRE required.
Penn State University online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Nutritional Sciences No GRE Required
Penn State University has an online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Nutritional Sciences. There are 30-39 total credits with a focus on leadership in various nutrition settings such as community, food service management and clinical. The MPS degree also offers an experiential track which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This track does require students to live within distance of the Penn State campus.
Students can apply to the MPS in Nutritional Sciences in the fall spring and summer. GRE scores are not required. Official transcripts and three letters of references are needed.
University of Massachusetts Amherst Online MPH in Public Health Nutrition
The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers an online public health nutrition master's program. The MPH in nutrition is a 47 credit program that combines courses in public health, nutrition, leadership and practicum. A final capstone project is also needed to graduate. The program is 100% online and students can take as few as one course per term. Example courses include Health Equity, Nutritional Epidemiology and Public Health Leadership.
Minimum application requirements include a completed undergraduate degree, transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a personal statement. No GRE needed.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Online Masters in Nutrition
The University of Wisconsin has a 100% online nutrition masters program. Students can enroll full time or part-time and start in the fall, spring or summer. The program focuses on clinical nutrition and is ideal for students who already have a strong background in dietetics. There are 30 total graduate credits and no in person campus vists are required.
Required courses include Critical Care and Nutrition Support, Management in Dietetics and Human Energy Metabolism. The program features elective courses offered from the school of Public Health such as Introduction to Global Health and Infectious Diseases. Students must submit three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts and a brief statement of professional goals to apply. No GRE needed.
University of Houston Online MS in Nutrition
In Texas, The University of Houston offers a 30 credit online non-thesis MS in Nutrition Degree. The program is designed for credentialed Registered Dietitians and students already accepted or enrolled into a dietetic internship desiring a graduate degree. Courses include Research Methods, Advanced Nutrition Counseling and Clinical Aspects of Nutrition Support. To graduate, a final capstone project is required. The project can be completed in the form of a grant proposal, research project or literature review.
There are spring, summer and fall admission dates. A portfolio, personal statement, resume and completed bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics are part of the application process. The GRE is not required as long as applicants have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher.
Texas Woman's University online MS in Nutrition - no GRE
Texas Woman's University has an online MS in Nutrition. The program can be completed in as little as 1 year and is 36 total credit hours. Students can watch lectures and complete assignments at their own pace and have up to 6 years to finish the coursework. The Nutrition degree features unique electives such as Functional Foods, Advanced Preventative Nutrition and Nutrition and Gerontology. Students at TWU also have the opportunity to come to campus and participate in research with faculty members. Research possibilities include diabetes control and protein sources and exercise recovery. There is also a final Capstone Lecture required to graduate.
In order to apply, undergraduate prerequisites in Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology and Introduction to Nutrition are needed. Other application requirements include a minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA, three letters of recommendation and application fee. TWU offers admission in summer, fall and spring semesters. No GRE needed.
What is the GRE and why do colleges require it for Nutrition programs?
The Graduate Record Examination or GRE is a multiple-choice standardized exam often required for admission to graduate programs. The GRE exam has three sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Various topics are covered within these three sections including algebra, geometry, data analysis and college level vocabulary. The Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE get scored from 130 to 170 and the mean score is 152. The Analytical Writing section is scored from 0-6 in half-point increments, and the mean score is 4.0
The GRE exam lasts for one hour and 58 minutes with no breaks. The computer delivered GRE is offered year round at testing centers. Since it is computer based, there is an adaptive structure throughout the test. Thus, the difficulty of questions towards the end of the test can vary based on performance early on. It costs $220 to sit for the exam and the score is valid for five years.
The test is designed to determined the likelihood of a graduate school applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate education. The test serves a similar function to the SAT and ACT, which have been used as the standardized exam to enter college.
The rise of No GRE programs for online nutrition degree programs
For decades, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) was required for admission to a U.S. graduate program. In recent years, graduate programs have been placing more emphasis on work experiences, letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts and personal statements over standardized test scores. Schools without GRE requirements are on the rise due to limited data on its relation to student success in a program. Since the test evaluates verbal and mathematic skills, it is not always indicative of the skills students need in certain programs, such as Nutrition. Many schools have now removed the GRE requirement entirely for admission.
By removing the GRE as a measure to evaluate students, admission committees can assess students more holistically. For many graduate school applicants, the obstacle of acquiring a master’s degree is studying for and passing the GRE. Thus, there has been an increase in applicants to graduate schools.
For those interested in obtaining a Masters in Nutrition, there are various programs to choose from. Students should reflect on their specific goals, interests of study and other program features when making a decision. By enrolling in an online degree there are endless options to pursue.
Typical courses for online Nutrition Masters degrees with no GRE for admission
The core curriculum for Nutrition Master’s programs includes Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrition Counseling and Advanced Nutrition: Protein, Fats and Carbohydrates. Depending on the program, students can select specific concentrations such as sports nutrition or clinical nutrition to specialize in. Certain programs may require a final capstone project or thesis to illustrate the expertise students have gained. Both established and aspiring nutrition professionals can pursue a Master’s degree in Nutrition. The job outlook for nutrition professionals is projected to grow by 7% through 2031, making this a favorable career path to enter.
Many schools across the country now offer online degrees. Going to school online allows more students to have access to and enroll in leading programs. In addition to being offered online, many programs have eliminated the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as an application requirement, further reducing the barrier to entry. Most of these programs can be completed in less than two years and are offered full and part time.
When choosing a masters program, students should note that not all programs lead to a certification, which is required for Dietitian roles.