The Master of Science in Applied Nutrition offers a practice-based degree that provides a broad overview of foundational nutrition knowledge to promote nutrition for wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Throughout this program, students work to develop appropriate mastery of competencies and skills to apply evidence-based nutrition recommendations and methods to critically evaluate and apply trends, controversies, and evolutions in the nutrition field that impact individuals and resources for nutrition health.
This program is offered in the online format with weekly Zoom sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Central.
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Continuing professional education (CPE) is an important aspect of career advancement and the maintenance of professional credentials among our nationwide network of alumni and preceptors. Included on this webpage are continuing education opportunities and resources that our affiliates may be interested in. Please refer to the Commission on Dietetic Registration or the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for more information or to explore more opportunities.
The MS in Nutrition Sciences program was designed to offer a comprehensive experience for students, including coursework and experiences in how to save lives, prevent disease, and improve quality of life.
Study the clinical side in the heart of Alabama’s top medical center surrounded by UAB Hospital, Birmingham VA Medical Center and Children’s of Alabama. Participate in multi-professional research initiatives in basic, clinical, and translational research at the UAB Cancer Prevention and Control Training Program or at any of three NIH-funded centers on campus: the Nutrition Obesity Research Center, the Diabetes Research Center or the Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The MS in Nutrition Sciences offers several degree tracks including:
Still not sure which masters track is right for you?
We've created a decision tree to help you navigate our various tracks and opportunities.
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The PhD in Nutrition Science at UAB provides training and research experiences in basic and translational nutrition science. You will have the opportunity work alongside experts in the field and in two NIH-funded research centers.
As a student in the PhD program, you will learn the science of nutrition as it relates to maintaining the health of individuals and populations, as well as the biochemical basis and application of nutrition to promote health and prevent disease. Possible areas of study include experimental design, nutritional biochemistry, energy requirements, body composition, geriatric nutrition, community nutrition, and disease prevention.
Open House
You can view our last virtual open house that was held September 10, 2025. The session, led by director, Dr. Paula Chandler-Laney, provides information about applying, admissions, curriculm, funding and FAQ's.
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The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Nutrition Sciences is recognized globally for our ongoing contributions to the field of nutrition science. Researchers within the department are exploring the role nutrition plays in obesity, diabetes, cancer, and more using animal models (such as fruit flies and mice) as well as clinical, community, and population research. Our students come from all over the country and the world to learn.
We are proud to offer an undergraduate major and minor in Nutrition Sciences. Our graduate programs include multiple master’s degree tracks with clinical and research focuses, as well as a Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences. With support from two NIH-funded research centers on-site, UAB’s Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) and Diabetes Research Center (DRC), graduate students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty and gain exposure to a wide range of topics in the field.
Our department is dedicated to – and excited about – training the future leaders in our field. If you’re passionate about nutrition science, join us!
Alumni Speak
Our students hail from different countries, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Their unique life experiences create an enriched learning environment that elicits the development of skills and compassion that benefit each other beyond UAB.
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Charita Lewis
Charita Lewis is from Dothan, Alabama, and earned her undergraduate degree from Samford University. Charita decided to further her education by enrolling in the Dietetic track of UAB’s MS in Nutrition Sciences. “This program has a history of success. Students enrolled in the UAB DI [MS in Nutrition Sciences] program will be well equipped to work professionally when they leave. This program has a high emphasis on critical thinking and application.” About the program, Charita says, “Come prepared to be stretched and to learn. It is an intense year of study and learning how to practice, but it is all worth it.”
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Carly Chason
Carly Chason grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Georgia. Her advice for any incoming UAB dietetic interns is, “Keep an open mind. Although you may already have an idea of the areas of nutrition that you like and dislike, be open to every rotation and be willing to put in the same amount of effort everywhere you go. Also, enjoy Birmingham; there are so many fun things to do in Birmingham, so take advantage.”
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Danielle Bowden
Danielle Bowden is from a very small farm town in Sherrard, Illinois. She attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences with a focus in Dietetics. Danielle chose UAB because of its “educationally diverse program that provides the opportunity to complete both the clinical internship and the master’s degree simultaneously at a teaching facility well known for their dietetic program.”
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Keith Pearson
Keith Pearson grew up in West Virginia and completed an undergraduate degree in dietetics at Marshall University. Following graduation, he moved to Birmingham to complete his dietetic internship and graduate studies at UAB. “Coming to UAB for graduate school and the internship was one of the best decisions I have made. Because of the training I received, I am confident in my skills as a dietitian and believe my time at UAB has set the foundation for a great career in the field of nutrition.”
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Mary Claire Shurina
Mary Claire Shurina is originally from Alpharetta, Georgia, and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia. Mary Claire chose UAB for its “stellar reputation, particularly in the field of health professions.” Mary Claire’s first dietetic internship rotation was at the Mobile County Health Department alternating between WIC and the Adult Clinic. “It’s an amazing feeling being able to wake up each morning and share my passion for nutrition with clients.”
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May Pendergrass
May, whose hometown is Huntsville, came to UAB after receiving her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. “UAB’s dietetic internship gives students the opportunity to rotate through a wide variety of experiences, from clinical and wellness to food management, that help the students become well rounded. Experiencing such a wide variety of opportunities in the field of nutrition and dietetics helped me narrow down what I would be interested in doing as a dietitian. Through the internship, I really saw myself grow professionally and become more confident in my skills and abilities. The internship also helped me network with other dietitians in Birmingham.”
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Patrick McGavin
Patrick is from Spanish Fort, Alabama, and earned his undergraduate degree at Samford University. His favorite experience while working on his MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietetic Internship/Clinical track was "being able to experience so many different aspects of what a registered dietitian does. There are many rotations that are only a week or two, and this gave me the ability to work with different dietitians in different settings and see how their styles of work differ. This also gave me the ability to connect and build relationships with them, which might be one of the most important factors as an up and coming dietitian."
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