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About This Certificate
Few things are more elemental to health promotion and disease prevention than nutrition. This convenient hybrid program provides up-to-date information relevant to your professional career or personal life.
At MSU Denver, quality education is the focus. Our advanced curriculum provides a solid foundation of knowledge in nutrition.
- Convenient hybrid classes, allowing you to balance your certificate coursework with your life demands.
- 8-week course blocks, providing timely course progression and completion of the certificate.
- 12 credit hours of coursework, focused on building your expertise in advanced nutrition topics.
- Continuing education, meeting continuing education requirements for many healthcare professions.
- Culturally responsive curriculum, leading to more well-rounded knowledge of health and disease.
- Small class sizes, providing more interaction and connection with peers and faculty.
- A diverse faculty and student population, encouraging depth of thought in and out of the classroom.
Time to Completion
Coursework for the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science can be completed in as little as 8 months.
All coursework must be completed within a 5 year timeframe.
Application Deadlines
Students can be accepted into the Graduate Certificate for either a Fall or Spring start term.
The Application for the Fall 2024 Start is now open!
For Fall, the priority deadline is April 1st. Acceptance after the priority deadline is only granted if space in the program is available. The final application deadline for Fall is May 1st.
For Spring 2025, the priority deadline is September 15th. Acceptance after the priority deadline is only granted if space in the program is available. The final application deadline for Spring is November 1st.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
The proposed tuition for the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science is $550/credit hour for residents and $650/credit hour for non-residents. Please note, there will be an increase in tuition for academic year 24-25. Mandatory fee are outlined below.
| Credit Hour | Auraria Bond | Intercollegiate Athletics | Campus Recreation | Tivoli Park Facility | Clean Energy | Student Affairs | Student Technology | Phoenix Center | Metro Bond | Health & Wellness | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $50.80 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $56.90 | $8.70 | $3.50 | $27.80 | $107.50 | $358.20 |
| 2 | $50.80 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $56.90 | $17.40 | $3.50 | $55.60 | $107.50 | $394.70 |
| 3 | $50.80 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $56.90 | $26.10 | $3.50 | $83.40 | $107.50 | $431.20 |
| 4 | $63.30 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $56.90 | $34.80 | $3.50 | $111.20 | $107.50 | $480.20 |
| 5 | $63.30 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $56.90 | $43.50 | $3.50 | $139.00 | $107.50 | $516.70 |
| 6 | $63.30 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $52.20 | $3.50 | $166.80 | $107.50 | $588.20 |
| 7 | $78.70 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $60.90 | $3.50 | $194.60 | $107.50 | $640.10 |
| 8 | $78.70 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $69.60 | $3.50 | $222.40 | $107.50 | $676.60 |
| 9 | $78.70 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $78.30 | $3.50 | $250.20 | $107.50 | $713.10 |
| 10 | $78.70 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $87.00 | $3.50 | $278.00 | $107.50 | $749.60 |
| 11 | $78.70 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $95.70 | $3.50 | $305.80 | $107.50 | $786.10 |
| 12 | $102.60 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $104.40 | $3.50 | $333.60 | $107.50 | $846.50 |
| 13 | $102.60 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $113.10 | $3.50 | $361.40 | $107.50 | $883.00 |
| 14 | $102.60 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $121.80 | $3.50 | $389.20 | $107.50 | $919.50 |
| 15 | $102.60 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $130.50 | $3.50 | $417.00 | $107.50 | $956.00 |
| 16 | $102.60 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $139.20 | $3.50 | $444.80 | $107.50 | $992.50 |
| 17 | $102.60 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $147.90 | $3.50 | $472.60 | $107.50 | $1,029.00 |
| 18 | $102.60 | $47.80 | $38.60 | $6.60 | $10.00 | $91.90 | $156.60 | $3.50 | $500.40 | $107.50 | $1,065.50 |
Click or tap table to scroll for entire table >
Financial aid is not available for Graduate Certificate students due to their non-degree seeking status.
Curriculum and Advising Snapshot
Curriculum in the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science focuses on providing advanced nutrition education tailored to current RDN’s, healthcare professionals, and individuals looking to grow personally or professionally through graduate level study.
Courses are offered in 8-week blocks and delivered in hybrid format. Hybrid format partners the best of online education and face-to-face learning. Engaging in the classroom with peers and faculty members will deepen your learning experience, broaden your perspective, and strengthen your professional network. Completing components of each course online will provide flexibility and allow us to meet your needs as a busy individual.
Graduate Certificate Coursework
The Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science can be obtained through completing 12 credit hours of graduate level nutrition coursework at MSU Denver.
Admission and Application Requirements
Full program acceptance requires prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or higher in:
- Intro chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Biological chemistry
- Anatomy and physiology (the equivalent of 6 credit hours)
- Upper division human nutrition course with macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism as the focus of the course (minimum of 3 credit hours)
- Medical nutrition therapy (minimum of 3 credits of a combined medical nutrition therapy I and II or equivalent)
Students must have all science prerequisites (chemistry, organic and biological chemistry, anatomy and physiology) completed prior to their entry term in the Grad Certificate program. The upper division human nutrition course and medical nutrition therapy course are the only two prerequisites that can be completed after starting the Grad Certificate program. The upper division human nutrition course and medical nutrition therapy course prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C- or higher within the first year of the term of acceptance into the program.
Recency requirements for prerequisites: The upper division human nutrition metabolism and medical nutrition therapy courses must have been completed within the last 5 years. The medical nutrition therapy recency requirement may be waived if the applicant has recent clinical work experience.
If you have multiple prerequisites to complete, please contact the Nutrition Department to speak with an advisor about the timeline for completing the necessary prerequisites and the best admission semester based on your specific course needs. You can contact the Department of Nutrition at 303-615-0990.
If you are interested in completing your prerequisites at MSU Denver, the Prerequisites for a Nutrition Graduate Program (PNUT) is an undergraduate program that allows you to complete prerequisites for the Master of Science in Nutrition or the this Graduate Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics.
The Graduate Certificate program accepts applicants with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university* in any discipline with a minimum 3.0 GPA**.
Application fees for prospective, domestic students to apply to Master’s Programs and Graduate Certificates at MSU Denver will be waived starting 10/1/2023 through 10/1/2024.
Here are the steps to complete an application:
- Complete the online Graduate Admission Application
- Submit Official Transcripts directly from all colleges and universities attended to Graduate Admissions at [email protected] *MSU Denver official transcripts do not need to be requested
*Applicants may be completing their bachelor’s degree when they apply: their degree must be conferred prior to their MSND program start term.
**Applicants can be accepted into the MSND program with a GPA under 3.0. However, they will be accepted with requirements including maintaining a 3.0 during their first semester in the program.
Acceptance into the program may be granted if a student is lacking up to six (6) credits of prerequisite coursework. Students lacking prerequisite coursework must successfully complete the required course(s) with a grade of C- or higher within one year o acceptance to the program.
Students with a GPA lower than a 3.0 can be accepted into the program. Students accepted into the program with a GPA lower than a 3.0 must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA during the first semester of the program.
For the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science, students may transfer in up to three (3) credits of graduate level coursework from a regionally accredited university. Each transfer course must have a minimum grade of “C” and have been completed within 5 years of admission to the program.
Students admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science are non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students do not qualify for financial aid and must re-apply and pay a new application fee in order to become degree seeking.
Completing coursework as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission into a degree program. Students accepted into the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science may take up to 12 credits of graduate level coursework in the program. These credits may also be applied to the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree.
In general, no credit is given for prior learning experience derived from employment or other life experience.
Graduate Certificate FAQs
No, we do not require the GRE for the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science.
Students admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science are non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students do not qualify for financial aid.
The number of continuing education credits varies based upon your profession and the credentials you hold. For example, according to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, Registered Dietitians can earn 15 CPEU’s for each 1 semester of academic credit taken.
There is not an “all online” option. The Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science is offered as a hybrid program which includes both online content and face-to-face meeting sessions for each course.
The face-to-face portion of courses in the Graduate Certificate program are typically offered in evenings on weekdays.
If you don’t have a 3.0 GPA from your undergraduate degree, you can still apply to our program. You may be able to be “admitted with requirements.” Requirements to stay in the program include maintaining a 3.0 GPA your first semester of courses.
Yes, you can!
Students accepted into the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science take 12 credits of graduate level coursework in the program. All 12 of these credits may also be applied to the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree.
However, to transfer from the Grad Certificate program to the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics, students must re-apply and pay a new application fee in order to become degree seeking. Completing coursework as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission into a degree program.
Connect with Us
Want more information?
For more information on the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science, please contact the Department of Nutrition. Click below to send us an email.
Email UsDepartment of Nutrition
Phone:
303-615-0990
Office Location:
Modular 1
Office Hours:
8:00am – 5:00pm
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Nutrition
Campus Box 33N
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362