Master of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition (MPH)

In partnership with the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences in the Rutgers School of Health Professionals, this program provides students with the in-depth training required to assess dietary needs and develop nutrition interventions. Graduates will be prepared to uniquely serve the needs of various communities including analyzing local and global food systems, identifying the nutritional status of populations, and the relationships between diet, nutrition, and health outcomes.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam.

Request Info

The Master of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.

If completing the program as a full-time student (nine or more credits per semester), the degree requirements may be completed in as little as two years (four to five semesters). Part-time students taking at least six credits per semester may expect to finish within four years. Taking courses in the summer may help expedite part-time students’ timing.

Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.

Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.

MPH/MS in Clinical Nutrition: The Rutgers School of Public Health and the Rutgers School of Health Professions offers students the opportunity to earn a MPH in Public Health Nutrition and a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (MS) dual-degree. Students who complete the dual- degree program are eligible to sit for the Registered Dietitian certification/exam.

MPH/Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate: The Rutgers School of Public Health and the Rutgers School of Health Professions also offer an MPH in Public Health Nutrition degree and DI graduate certificate, preparing students to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) providing population, community, and client- centered care through interprofessional work and evidence-based nutrition care. This dual program allows students to take the RDN credentialing exam after completing or receiving the MPH in Public Health Nutrition degree and DI graduate certificate. This is New Jersey’s first and only MPH/DI dual program. Additional information on the program can be found on the Rutgers School of Public Health's website here and on the Rutgers School of Health Profession's website here. 

Dual-degree options are also available in partnership with other Rutgers University schools.

Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Public Health Nutrition will be able to:

• Analyze local and global food systems;
• Assess the nutritional status of communities;
• Demonstrate the use of evidence-based research in practice to study the relationships between diet, nutrition and health outcomes across the life span;
• Design an evaluation framework for a population-based nutrition intervention or program;
• Utilize culturally appropriate assessment methodologies to identify and prioritize diet and nutritional problems for members of diverse populations; and
• Apply research methodology, interpretation of research literature, and integration of research principles into evidence-based public health nutrition practice or policy.

Fall Semester Start Date
January 15 (priority)
May 1 (regular)

Spring Semester Start Date
October 15 (priority)
December 1 (regular)

A complete application includes:

• Completion of the online application
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
  • Interest in the program
  • Preparedness for the program
  • Goals and aspirations
• Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years.
• Resume or CV
• GRE General Exam (optional)
• TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country

Applications are accepted on a rolling, space-available basis following the regular deadline.