Master of Science in Community Nutrition (M.S.)

 

Impact Overall Health for Entire Populations with a Master of Science in Community Nutrition

The Master of Science in Community Nutrition (MSCN) program at West Chester University promotes nutritional health and disease prevention in communities, emphasizing vulnerable populations.

Our MSCN is an evidence-focused, 33-credit, online program for students seeking an advanced nutrition degree. The Master of Science in Community Nutrition is designed for registered dietitian nutritionists, graduates of dietetics programs, and other health professionals, such as physicians and registered nurses with a BSN degree. The MSCN program includes courses that promote evidence-based nutrition, health promotion, and disease prevention in the community.

AT WCU, our Master of Science in Community Nutrition can be taken as a standalone program or be combined with a dietetic internship. WCU also offers a post-master’s dietetic internship certificate option. Only students who have completed a dietetic internship, at WCU or elsewhere, are eligible for the Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN) credential.

If you want to make an impact on the health of generations to come, learn more about our Master of Science in Community Nutrition.

 

Tracks in Our Master's Community Nutrition Program

Master of Science in Community Nutrition with Dietetic Internship

The Dietetic Internship curriculum follows the traditional MSCN with additional supervised practice.  The Dietetic Internship has three components: one summers course prior to supervised practice, followed by weekly online courses and supervised practice hours through the Clinical I (inpatient) and Clinical II (outpatient), Community, and Food Service Management rotations. The program requires at least 1,000 practice hours (divided among the supervised practice rotations) for successful completion of the internship. The MSCN combined with the Dietetic Internship is 42-credits in all.

Post-Master’s Dietetic Internship Certificate

The Post-Masters Dietetic Internship Certificate is a 15-credit program that includes both online courses and supervised practice.  The supervised practice portion includes all supervised practice hours in each the Clinical I (inpatient) and Clinical II (outpatient), Community, and Food Service Management rotations. The program requires at least 1,000 practice hours (divided among the supervised practice rotations) for successful completion of the certificate.

 

Benefits of Earning Your Graduate Degree at West Chester University

Accreditation & Job Growth

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the MSCN program prepares graduates for a job market projected to grow by 6% through 2034. Registered Dieticians work in a variety of settings including hospitals, in-and outpatient facilities, school districts, gyms, and in sports at every level of competition.

Accomplished Faculty

At WCU you’ll be taught by outstanding faculty who are experts in the field of nutrition. Courses are taught by faculty with doctoral degrees and expertise in areas such as public health, public policy, sports nutrition, diabetes, and statistics. Our faculty conduct research, author papers and chapters, present locally and abroad, and are in the classroom each day.

Internship Placement

If you choose to pursue the Dietetic Internship option, you will receive a well-rounded experience through a variety of placements. Your experiences will be throughout inpatient, outpatient, community, and food service management rotations, giving you the skills to seek employment or advancement in any of those areas.

Affordable Tuition

Affordability is part of WCU’s mission, and our tuition is among the most affordable in the region. To help put your graduate studies within reach, WCU also offers employee reimbursement options, payment plans, and graduate assistantships.

Flexible Courses & Small Classes

WCU’s Master of Science in Community Nutrition is available 100% online. Courses may be completed on a full- or part-time basis to meet the demands of your schedule. Even better, with small classes, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with faculty and classmates to create lasting relationships in the field.

 

What Can You Do with a Master of Science in Community Nutrition?

Our graduates go on to work as community health educators, directors of nutrition and wellness, entrepreneurs and consultants in the health and wellness space, nutrition labeling analysts, nutrition services managers, researchers, and nutrition communication analysts.

Dietician positions are expected to grow by at least 6% through 2034. With a new food pyramid and health and wellness growing evermore inequitable, you can make a difference today!

Where are our graduates?

 

What Will You Study as a Student in the Master of Science in Community Nutrition Program?

Whether you choose the traditional MSCN program or the MSCN with Dietetic Internship program, you will take a mix of nutrition science and applied nutrition courses, and will complete a culminating capstone paper.