Accelerated Master of Science Degree in Nutritional Sciences


Students in lab

The Nutritional Sciences Accelerated Master’s Degree (AMD) program at Michigan Public Health is a Master of Science (MS) program for students currently enrolled in a BS or BA undergraduate public health degree program who are interested in nutrition research. Graduates are qualified for positions such as project or lab managers, research analysts, nutrition QA managers, consumer safety officers, or continue on to pursue a PhD.

Research areas of interest include nutritional epidemiology, nutritional biochemistry, epigenomics, and social epidemiology. 

Prerequisites

  • Calculus* or Statistics* (1 semester)
  • Inorganic/general chemistry* (1 semester, lab not required)
  • Organic chemistry (1 semester, lab not required)
  • Biochemistry (1 semester)
  • Human Physiology (1 semester that includes digestion and endocrine) or Human Anatomy and Physiology (1 semester of each and must include digestion and endocrine, lab not required)
  • PUBHLTH 200

*AP high school courses are accepted based on AP final exam score

How It Works

This graphical representation of the AMD path is explained in text below the graphic

The Accelerated Master's Degree program covers five years of study:

  • Complete the first three years of undergraduate education.  
  • Apply to the Accelerated Master’s Degree program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in your junior year
  • Take graduate-level Nutritional Sciences courses at the School of Public Health during your fourth year of study (senior year)
  • Graduate with an undergraduate degree
  • Spend your fifth and final year on campus at the University of Michigan completing the remaining requirements for the MS-NS degree.

Application Process and Requirements

Application Deadline: January 15. Students typically apply in the second semester of their junior year.

CREATING AN APPLICATION THAT WILL HELP YOU STAND OUT

  • Strong academic record (overall/science GPA)
  • Well-written statements indicating why nutritional sciences and why University of Michigan
    Three strong letters of recommendation
  • Gaps and anomalies in record and lessons learned explained
  • Prerequisites are met and/or the plan for meeting these is clear

You do not need to secure an advisor prior to submitting an application. However, you will be asked to include the names of faculty you are interested in working with.  Please review the faculty profile website to see if there are faculty who align with your research interests. 

Applications from the University of Michigan

Current University of Michigan students must complete a Rackham application and select the Nutritional Sciences AMDP program.

Apply Here

Applications from Partner Institutions

Applications from Partner Institutions must complete a School of Public Health NCFD application form. If you have questions about the application process, please contact sph-inquiries@umich.edu.

Download Application

Decision Notification

Applicants will be notified of decision upon review by the Nutritional Sciences Admissions Committee

  • Accepted applicants will be required to meet with one of the MS advisors as early as possible, but no later than the start of the fall semester to review the tentative course of study plan 

Advising, Mentoring, and Student Community

All AMDP students will be advised by Nutritional Sciences faculty, will be fully incorporated into the student community, and have equal access to the facilities and resources of the department. These common courses will facilitate interaction between AMDP and other students in the same cohort and help build a strong and inclusive student community.

Nutritional Sciences Student Organization (NSSA) - NSSA is the student organization that represents students in the Nutritional Sciences Department in the School of Public Health. As we represent a graduate program, we are focused on offering opportunities for professional development as well as hosting events to encourage networking and discussion of news and current events in food science, nutrition, and wellness.

Questions?

For answers to questions about the program, please contact:

Carole Durgy, Graduate Program Coordinator, beckca@umich.edu

Keegan Gramza, Student Services Coordinator, kgramza@umich.edu