Nutrition Programs

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Multiple Concentrations

#68 in Best Public Health Schools1

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Drive Real Impact With Graduate-Level Nutrition Training

George Mason University’s graduate programs in nutrition prepare students for careers in community nutrition, dietetics, nutrition research, and public health related to nutrition and food access. As the only program of its kind in Northern Virginia, we offer unique opportunities for hands-on learning, researching, and professional growth. Our graduate programs train students to become nutrition professionals engaged across a wide range of nutrition-related careers.

  • George Mason was ranked #25 in Most Innovative Schools in 20241  
  • The MS in Nutrition features a one-year accelerated track 
  • Mason’s Graduate Certificate in Nutrition and MS in Nutrition both feature career-focused concentrations 
  • Transfer credits accepted 

George Mason’s Graduate Programs in Nutrition 

Students interested in studying nutrition at the graduate level can pursue a graduate certificate or master’s degree at George Mason. Several areas of concentration are available through full- and part-time study.

  • Program Options: On Campus
  • Credit Hours: 39
  • Duration: 2 years

Learn to assess, evaluate, and intervene in the most current and relevant nutrition issues. No concentration option allows maximum flexibility to tailor your program to your specific needs. The thesis option allows you to have a mentored, research-intensive experience. 

  • Program Options: On Campus
  • Credit Hours: 39
  • Duration: 2 years

Prepares students to apply nutrition principles based in the latest scientific evidence to healthcare practice and research among different populations.

  • Program Options: On Campus
  • Credit Hours: 45
  • Duration: 2 years

Prepare for a career as a registered dietitian in this ACEND-accredited program. Learn to provide specialized care to patients with a variety of medical conditions. Program requires a full-time commitment.

  • Program Options: On Campus
  • Credit Hours: 39
  • Duration: 2 years

Develop the skill set to support nutrition and performance-related needs. This concentration provides a curriculum focused specifically on an interdisciplinary approach to physical activity and nutrition. Graduates are eligible to take the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) certification exam.

  • Program Options: On Campus
  • Credit Hours: 42
  • Duration: 2 years

Create population health approaches to implement food security and nutrition programs and policies at the local, regional, and global levels.

  • Program Options: On Campus
  • Credit Hours: 18
  • Duration: 12 months

Prepares students to apply nutrition principles based on the latest scientific evidence to healthcare practice and research among different populations.  

  • Program Options: On Campus
  • Credit Hours: 18
  • Duration: 12 months

Gain insight into the determinants of food security, the roots of vulnerabilities, and programs involved in food security research and interventions. 

Customized to Fit Your Goals

George Mason empowers you to pursue your professional goals by customizing your graduate studies with the nutrition program and concentration that best match your desired career path. Whether you pursue a Graduate Certificate in Nutrition or an MS in Nutrition, you’ll be engaged in a career-driven curriculum designed and delivered by expert faculty. 

Healthy Growth in Nutrition Careers

Dietitians and health education specialists are both projected to experience above-average job growth through 2033, with an expected increase of 7% in openings for these occupations.2,3  With a graduate credential from George Mason, you can benefit from this steady growth by launching or elevating your career in the expanding field of nutrition. 

Nutrition Career Paths and Salaries 

Dietitian $73,850 per year2

Director of Food and Nutrition $75,644 per year4

Health Education Specialist $63,000 per year3

Study at the First College of Public Health in Virginia

George Mason University’s College of Public Health is the first CEPH-accredited College of Public Health in Virginia. We are a national leader in inclusive, interprofessional research, education, and practice. The College’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors influencing health and well-being. Our graduates are uniquely prepared to lead in an increasingly diverse, multidisciplinary, and community-focused public health landscapes.

George Mason: Where Ambition Meets Opportunity

At George Mason University, you’ll join an innovative and inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. You’ll learn from distinguished faculty who are committed to high academic standards and find support every step of the way with robust student services including library resources, the writing center, career services, and more.

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Sources

  1. U.S. News & World Report. “George Mason University Rankings.” Retrieved July 29, 2025, from www.usnews.com/.  
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Dietitians and Nutritionists.” Retrieved July 28, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/. 
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.” Health Education Specialists.” Retrieved July 28, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/. 
  4. Payscale.” Average Director Food and Nutrition Services Salary.” Retrieved July 28, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.