Nutritional Sciences
The Nutritional Sciences Graduate Program provides training in the distinct core nutrition knowledge described by the Graduate Nutrition Education Committee of the American Society for Nutrition: general research skills; structure and biochemical and metabolic functions of nutrients and other dietary constituents; food, diets, and supplements; nutritional status assessment; nutrition and disease; nutrition interventions and policies; and, analytical skills. Graduate students also receive training in laboratory research, seminar preparation and delivery, scientific writing, problem solving and research grant writing. Graduate study in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Missouri offers the advantage of interdisciplinary nutrition research that is facilitated via the many research centers at MU, including Food for the 21st Century (F21C), the Botanical Center, and the Life Sciences Center. The graduate program is administered by the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in association with the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and the School of Medicine.
Degrees Offered
Nutritional Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy
On Campus
Admission Criteria
Application deadline for Fall admission: December 30
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 in science and math classes
- Prerequisites: Entering students are expected to have undergraduate training (lecture and laboratory courses) in general and organic chemistry and biology, a two-semester course in biochemistry and an upper-level human nutrition course.
Minimum English Proficiency Requirements
| Test Type | Total Score | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing |
| TOEFL Internet -based | 100 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| TOEFL Paper-based | 600 | 52 | 52 | N/A | 52 |
| IELTS Academic | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Recommended minimum GRE scores
| When did you take the GRE? | Verbal | Quantitative | Analytical |
| Prior to August 1, 2011 | 500 | 500 | 3.5 |
| On or after August 1, 2011 | 150 | 150 |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Nutritional Sciences Program
All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School online application system.
- Statement of Purpose: Upload a Statement of Purpose, indicating your academic/research interests and career goals to the “Statement of Purpose” section of your online application.
- Resume or Vita: Upload a current Resume or Vita to the “Resume/CV” section of your online application.
- Recommendations: Enter the required information for at least three recommenders in the “Recommendations” section of your online application. The recommenders will receive an email with instructions for completing and submitting your recommendation. Please ensure that the recommenders are aware of the December 30 application deadline.
- Statement of Goals Video: Upload a Statement of Goals Video to the “Portfolio” section of your online application. It should be a one minute video why you want to be in graduate school and your goals with the program.
- GRE Scores: Please make arrangements with Educational Testing Services to have official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores sent directly to our department. MU’s Institutional code is 6875 and our department code: 0214.
- TOEFL Scores (international applicants only)
Nutritional Sciences, Master of Science
On Campus
The program offers a Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with emphasis in Nutritional Sciences.
Admission Criteria
Application deadline for Fall admission: December 30
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 in science and math classes
- Prerequisites: Entering students are expected to have undergraduate training (lecture and laboratory courses) in general and organic chemistry and biology, a two-semester course in biochemistry and an upper-level human nutrition course.
Minimum English Proficiency Requirements
| Test Type | Total Score | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing |
| TOEFL Internet -based | 100 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| TOEFL Paper-based | 600 | 52 | 52 | N/A | 52 |
| IELTS Academic | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Recommended minimum GRE scores
| When did you take the GRE? | Verbal | Quantitative | Analytical |
| Prior to August 1, 2011 | 500 | 500 | 3.5 |
| On or after August 1, 2011 | 150 | 150 |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Nutritional Sciences Program
All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School online application system.
- Statement of Purpose: Upload a Statement of Purpose, indicating your academic/research interests and career goals to the “Statement of Purpose” section of your online application.
- Resume or Vita: Upload a current Resume or Vita to the “Resume/CV” section of your online application.
- Recommendations: Enter the required information for at least three recommenders in the “Recommendations” section of your online application. The recommenders will receive an email with instructions for completing and submitting your recommendation. Please ensure that the recommenders are aware of the December 30 application deadline.
- Statement of Goals Video: Upload a Statement of Goals Video to the “Portfolio” section of your online application. It should be a one minute video why you want to be in graduate school and your goals with the program.
- GRE Scores: Please make arrangements with Educational Testing Services to have official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores sent directly to our department. MU’s Institutional code is 6875 and our department code: 0214.
- TOEFL Scores (international applicants only)