MS Nutritional Sciences at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Programme overview

The MS in Nutritional Sciences prepares students to understand the scientific basis of nutrition, its application to health and fitness, and the skills needed to conduct basic and applied nutrition research. The programme does not include an RD internship, though a Registered Dietitian (RDN) concentration is available, including as distance education.

Faculty: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience | Department: Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences | Duration: 30 credit hours (Plan A thesis or Plan B non-thesis) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Honolulu, HI, United States

What you will study

Both plans require a minimum of 30 credit hours: Plan A has 18 credits of graduate coursework, FSHN 699 (2 credits) and FSHN 700 Thesis Research (10 credits); Plan B has at least 18 credits at the 600 level or above and 6-9 credits of FSHN 699. Core courses include FSHN 601, FSHN 681 (Seminar, taken at least four times), FSHN 685 or 784, FSHN 689 or PH 748 or PH 663, and a graduate statistics course. Students pass an oral exam of basic nutrition knowledge and a final defense, and serve as a teaching assistant for at least one semester.

Career pathways

Graduates work as college instructors, nutrition educators or consultants, nutritionists in the food industry, fitness facilities and government health agencies, and research scientists in health care, industry, government and academia. Many go on to PhD or other professional degrees.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree in nutrition or a closely related field; minimum GPA 3.0; undergraduate coursework in nutrition, physiology, biochemistry and statistics (applicants lacking these must make up deficiencies if admitted). GRE General Test scores required (no minimum score); two confidential recommendations on the programme forms; personal resume; Graduate Admissions Application with statement of objectives. International applicants: TOEFL iBT minimum 100 (600 paper, 250 computer) or IELTS 7.0. Phone or in-person interview may be requested. Deadlines: February 1 (fall), September 1 (spring).

Domestic applicants: USD 10,400 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Hawaii resident rate. Source

International applicants: USD 22,432 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Non-resident rate. Source

Graduate applications are accepted for Summer, Fall and Spring terms; Graduate Division begins processing applications from August 1 for the following Fall and Summer semester and from April 1 for the following Spring semester.

All graduate application deadlines are set by the graduate programmes and vary by programme; some programmes set priority deadlines. Most Fall applicants hear a decision by late March/early April and Spring applicants by November/December. Application fees are non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/

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