University of Alabama Nutrition Degree Programs

Tuscaloosa, AL | Department of Human Nutrition, Hospitality and Sport Management

The University of Alabama offers 2 Nutrition degree tracks:

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Food and Nutrition
  • Master of Science (MS) in Human Nutrition

Both programs are available 100% online, making UA one of only 11 distance learning programs in the United States accredited by ACEND for dietetics education.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. Duration
BS in Food and Nutrition$47,8804 years (full time)
MS in Human Nutrition$14,4001 year (full time) or 2 years (part time)

The programs feature flexible online delivery perfect for working adults, multiple specialization tracks at the graduate level (Generalist, Clinical, Community), and an Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) for qualified undergraduates, plus a Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) combining didactic and supervised practice for direct RDN eligibility upon master’s completion.

Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition

The estimated cost for the BS Food and Nutrition program is approximately $47,880 and would take 4 years to complete on a full-time basis (120 credits at $399 per credit hour).

BS Curriculum

The 120-credit BS Food and Nutrition includes the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), requiring 59 hours of major courses, 20 hours of science courses, and 44 hours of general education courses, preparing graduates for dietetic internship applications and careers in healthcare, community nutrition, food service management, and business environments.

Core Nutrition & Professional Courses (NHM)

NHM 101: Intro to Human Nutrition Introduction to the principles of nutrition, including the nutritive value of foods and the body’s need for nutrients.

NHM 195: Intro to Dietetics & Nutrition An introduction to the profession of dietetics and the various career paths in nutrition.

NHM 201: Nutrition in the Life Cycle
Study of the nutritional needs of individuals at different stages of life, from infancy through old age.

NHM 253: Food Science
Introduction to the functionality of food ingredients and how food chemistry dictates preservation and preparation methods.

NHM 295: Intro to Research in Food & Nutrition
Introduction to basic research designs and their applications in dietetics. Includes the use of the Evidence Based Library of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

NHM 340: Community Nutrition
Nutrition assessment of individuals and groups; provision of nutrition services in the community. (Writing proficiency required).

NHM 345: Nutrition Counseling
Focuses on developing foundational skills in nutrition counseling and incorporating the nutrition care process.

NHM 346: Nutrition Ed Theories & Practice
Focuses on learning-system design, theory-based education models, and teaching nutrition in a variety of settings.

NHM 361: Nutritional Biochemistry
Intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins with an emphasis on homeostatic regulation in health and disease.

NHM 362: Nutrition at the Cell Level
Explores the physiological and chemical basis of nutrient needs at the cellular level.

NHM 363: Applied Nutrition
Principles of nutrition assessment, including interviewing and nutrition care plans, with application to selected stages of the life cycle.

NHM 365: Medical Nutrition Therapy I
Study of pathophysiology and medical nutrition therapy for specific disease conditions.

NHM 372: Intro to Food Service Management
Includes theories, functions, and principles of management and tools for decision-making.

NHM 373: Purchasing, Design, and Risk Management in Food Service
Principles of purchasing food and equipment, layout and design analysis, and techniques for managing sanitation, safety, and security.

NHM 374: Quantity Food Production & Service
Theory and techniques of quantity food production and service through hands-on experience.

NHM 454: Experimental & Functional Food
Chemical and physical properties affecting food product development and an introduction to functional foods. (Writing proficiency required).

NHM 465: Medical Nutrition Therapy II
Advanced study of pathophysiology and medical nutrition therapy for complex disease states.

NHM 475: Management of Food Service Systems
Integration of food service management principles in a systems approach to operation.

NHM 491: Directed Professional Study
Individual professional study (160 clock hours) in management, clinical, or community dietetics.

General Science & Math Requirements

BSC 215/216: Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II
A two-semester sequence covering the structure and function of the human body.

CH 104/105: Introductory Chemistry / Introductory Organic Chemistry
A sequence covering general chemical principles and an introduction to organic chemistry as it relates to biological systems.

BER 345: Educational Statistics
Statistical methods and their application to educational and social science research.

PY 101: Intro to Psychology
Basic principles of psychology, including learning, motivation, and social behavior.

More curriculum details are available here.

BS Clinical/Practical Requirements

The program includes NHM 491: Directed Professional Independent Study (3 credits) as supervised professional experience. Upon DPD completion with Verification Statement, graduates must apply to ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs (dietetic internship, coordinated program, or individualized supervised pathway) before RDN exam eligibility, with master’s degree now required for RDN credentialing effective January 1, 2024.

  • NHM 491: Directed Professional Independent Study (3 credits)
  • Post-graduation: ACEND-accredited supervised practice program required (540+ hours)
  • Master’s degree required for RDN credentialing (effective 2024)
  • Supervised practice options: dietetic internship (DI), coordinated program (CP), or individualized supervised pathway (ISPP)

BS Admissions Requirements

General Admission to UA:

  • Transfer students (24+ college credits): Minimum 2.0 overall college GPA
  • Students with <24 college credits: 2.0 college GPA + meet Freshman Admission Requirements (ACT/SAT waived if high school graduation >4 years ago)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • High school transcript if <24 semester hours college coursework
  • Applications accepted year-round

DPD Admission Requirements (after 60 semester hours):

  • Complete minimum 60 semester hours including: NHM 101, NHM 195, NHM 201, NHM 253, CH 104, CH 105, BSC 215, BSC 216 (26 credits total)
  • Minimum C- in science courses: BSC 215, BSC 216, BSC 242, CH 104, CH 105, PY 101
  • Minimum B- in all NHM designated courses including BER 345
  • Overall GPA 3.0 or higher
  • Submit official transcripts from all institutions to DPD Director
  • Submit completed DPD Admission Petition Form

DPD Completion Requirements for Verification Statement:

  • Maintain Food and Nutrition GPA 3.0 or higher
  • Minimum C- in DPD science courses
  • Minimum B- in all DPD professional courses (NHM designated and BER 345)
  • Complete all DPD required courses and bachelor’s degree
  • Complete 24 credit hours of DPD courses including Capstone courses (NHM 340, NHM 465, NHM 475) from University of Alabama

Master of Science in Human Nutrition

The estimated cost for the MS Human Nutrition program is approximately $14,400 and would take 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time to complete (30 credits at $480 per credit hour).

MS Curriculum

The 30-credit MS Human Nutrition program offers three tracks—Generalist, Clinical Nutrition Concentration, and Community Nutrition Concentration—with flexible online delivery designed for registered dietitians, dietetic interns, or students with bachelor’s in nutrition or related disciplines who meet prerequisites.

Generalist Track (30 credits):

Research Core (6 credits):

  • NHM 509: Research Methods in Nutrition (3cr)
  • POPH 522: Biostatistics (3cr)

Nutrition Core (6 credits):

  • NHM 572: Metabolism of Energy Nutrients (3cr)
  • NHM 573: Advanced Vitamins and Minerals (3cr)

Choose one (3 credits):

  • NHM 555: Maternal and Infant Nutrition OR
  • NHM 567: Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill OR
  • NHM 530: Advanced Nutrition Counseling

NHM Electives: 3 credits from NHM 500-625

General Electives: 9 credits (options include CSM, HHE, NUR, POPH courses)

Capstone Experience – Choose one (3 credits):

  • NHM 597: MS Capstone Course OR
  • NHM 598: Non-Thesis Research OR
  • NHM 599: Thesis Research (minimum 6 hours required if selected)

Clinical Nutrition Concentration (30 credits):

Research Core (6 credits):

  • NHM 509: Research Methods in Nutrition (3cr)
  • POPH 522: Biostatistics (3cr)

Clinical Nutrition Core (18 credits):

  • NHM 567: Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill (3cr)
  • NHM 568: Nutrition for the Older Adult (3cr)
  • NHM 572: Metabolism of Energy Nutrients (3cr)
  • NHM 573: Advanced Vitamins and Minerals (3cr)
  • NHM 558: Nutrition in Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease OR NHM 585: Clinical Nutrition Management (3cr)

Electives: 6 credits

Capstone Experience: 3 credits (same options as Generalist)

Community Nutrition Concentration (30 credits):

Research Core (9 credits):

  • NHM 509: Research Methods in Nutrition (3cr)
  • NHM 625: Nutritional Epidemiology OR POPH 523: Basic Epidemiology (3cr)
  • POPH 522: Biostatistics (3cr)

Community Nutrition Core (15 credits):

  • NHM 550: Advanced Community Nutrition I (3cr)
  • NHM 551: Advanced Community Nutrition II (3cr)
  • NHM 555: Maternal and Infant Nutrition (3cr)
  • NHM 556: Child and Adolescent Nutrition (3cr)
  • NHM 557: Childhood Obesity OR NHM 558: Nutrition in Prevention/Treatment of Chronic Disease (3cr)

Elective: 3 credits

Capstone Experience: 3 credits (same options as Generalist)

More curriculum details are available here.

MS Clinical/Research Requirements

All students complete a Capstone Experience through thesis research (minimum 6 hours NHM 599), non-thesis research project (NHM 598), or MS Capstone Course (NHM 597). Thesis projects typically take 2-3 semesters with committee formation, IRB approval, data collection/analysis, and formal defense. Non-thesis research requires proposal, IRB approval, data collection/analysis, and manuscript-style writeup in 2 semesters.

Capstone Options:

Plan I – Research:

  • Thesis (NHM 599, 6 credits minimum): Faculty mentor as chair, 3-member committee, extensive literature review, IRB approval, data collection/analysis, formal defense, electronic publication
  • Non-Thesis Research (NHM 598, 3 credits): Designated faculty mentor, proposal with IRB approval, data collection/analysis, brief manuscript style

Plan II – Capstone Course:

  • NHM 597 (3 credits): Professional development, integration of nutrition knowledge/skills, community engaged learning

Plan III – CPD Students Only:

  • Complete 3 Capstone Supervised Practice Rotations: NHM 578 (Food Service Management), NHM 579 (Community Health & Wellness), NHM 580 (Medical Nutrition Therapy)

Students must earn B or better in Capstone Experience; only one retake allowed; failure results in dismissal from program.

MS Admissions Requirements

Academic Requirements:

  • Overall undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher, OR 3.0 in last 60 undergraduate hours
  • Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages, single-spaced, addressing experience, goals, preparedness, unique characteristics)
  • Three letters of recommendation (at least two from academic references preferred)
  • Transcripts from institutions attended for 15+ hours

Prerequisite Courses (or ACEND-accredited dietetic program completion):

  • CH 104: Introductory Chemistry (4cr)
  • CH 105: Introductory Organic Chemistry (4cr)
  • BSC 215: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4cr)
  • BSC 216: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4cr)
  • NHM 101: Intro Human Nutrition (3cr)
  • NHM 201: Nutrition in Life Cycle (3cr)
  • NHM 295: Intro Research in Food and Nutrition (1cr)
  • NHM 340: Community Nutrition (3cr)
  • NHM 361: Nutritional Biochemistry (3cr)
  • NHM 363: Applied Nutrition (3cr)
  • NHM 365: Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3cr)

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall Term: July 1
  • Spring Term: December 1
  • Summer Term: April 15

Academic Performance Requirements:

  • Earn B or better in all required core courses
  • Earn B or better in minimum 18 credit hours of NHM designated courses
  • Maintain 3.0 overall graduate GPA
  • 75% of hours must be completed with A or B grades

Permission to Continue Admission: Students not meeting standard requirements but excelling in other areas may receive conditional admission with specified conditions to meet within first 12 graduate hours.

Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD)

The estimated cost for the MS Human Nutrition with CPD is approximately $27,360 (57 credits: 36 didactic + 21 supervised practice at $480 per credit hour) and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.

CPD Program Structure

The Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics combines master’s degree with supervised practice experiences, providing both required knowledge and 1,200+ supervised practice hours for direct RDN exam eligibility upon program completion without separate dietetic internship.

CPD Curriculum (57 total credits):

Didactic Courses (36 credits):

  • NHM 509: Research Methods
  • NHM 530: Advanced Nutrition Counseling
  • NHM 558: Nutrition in Prevention/Treatment of Chronic Disease
  • NHM 566: Advanced Clinical Nutrition
  • NHM 587: Integrated Food Systems Management
  • POPH 522: Biostatistics
  • NHM 572: Metabolism of Energy Nutrients
  • NHM 567: Nutrition Support of the Critically Ill
  • NHM 588: Advanced Food Service Systems Management
  • NHM 573: Advanced Vitamin & Mineral Metabolism
  • NHM 550: Advanced Community Nutrition I
  • NHM 585: Clinical Nutrition Management OR NHM 515: Research & Practice in Sport Nutrition

Supervised Practice Courses (21 credits):

  • NHM 574: Supervised Practice in Community Health & Wellness
  • NHM 575: Supervised Practice in Long-Term Care
  • NHM 576: Supervised Practice in Food Service Management
  • NHM 577: Supervised Practice in Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • NHM 578: Capstone Supervised Practice in Food Service Management
  • NHM 579: Capstone Supervised Practice in Community Health & Wellness
  • NHM 580: Capstone Supervised Practice in Medical Nutrition Therapy

Students must earn B or better in all required core and supervised practice courses; only one repeat allowed for Capstone rotations.

CPD Admissions Requirements

Prerequisites:

  • Concurrent admission to MS in Human Nutrition program at University of Alabama required
  • Introductory Chemistry + lab (4cr)
  • Introductory Organic Chemistry + lab (4cr)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I + lab (4cr)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology II + lab (4cr)
  • Biochemistry or Nutritional Biochemistry (3cr)
  • Introduction to Nutrition (3cr)
  • Nutrition through the Lifecycle (3cr)
  • Community Nutrition (3cr)
  • Applied Nutrition (3cr)
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3cr) – may be enrolled concurrently when applying

Application Materials:

  • Application form
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Contact CPD Director: Lori Greene at lgreene@ches.ua.edu or 205-348-4710

Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP)

The Accelerated Master’s Program allows qualified UA Food and Nutrition undergraduates to begin graduate coursework during senior year, with up to 12 graduate credits counting toward both undergraduate and master’s degrees.

AMP Eligibility and Requirements

  • Completed 90 undergraduate hours
  • 3.7 institutional GPA overall
  • Current Food and Nutrition undergraduate student at UA
  • If accepted: up to 12 graduate credit hours taken as cross-listed courses or substituting for required undergraduate coursework
  • Credits apply toward both degrees simultaneously

Tuition

Undergraduate Program:

  • $399 per credit hour
  • Total BS program: approximately $47,880 (120 credits)
  • Additional college/course fees may apply

Graduate Program:

  • $480 per credit hour
  • Total MS program: approximately $14,400 (30 credits)
  • CPD program: approximately $27,360 (57 credits)
  • Additional college/course fees may apply

All rates subject to change without notice. Financial aid available; all online degree-seeking students eligible to complete FAFSA.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

The University of Alabama’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) are both accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The BS in Food and Nutrition online program is one of only 11 distance learning programs in the United States with ACEND accreditation.

The program is ranked #2 among best bachelor’s in Nutritional Sciences degree programs by TheBestSchools.org (2019), and the MS program is ranked in the top 15 “Best Online Nutrition Programs With Master’s Degrees” by Best Health Degrees and among the “Top 50 Master’s in Nutrition Online Programs 2023” by College Values Online. Effective January 1, 2024, CDR requires minimum master’s degree for RDN credentialing exam eligibility, with coursework and supervised practice completed in ACEND-accredited programs.

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