Prospective Student FAQs

This program is for students interested in integrating nutrition into a wide range of careers. While two-thirds of our students go on to medical school, our alumni also pursue other healthcare professions, reserach, public health, law, dietetics, nutrition counseling, communications, consulting and more.

The MS program is in-person only, based at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Our curriculum includes hands-on research, clinical exposure, and community engagement that require students to be on campus.

The MS in Human Nutrition is designed to be completed in one academic year:

• Start: Mandatory orientation in late August

• End: Master’s thesis due the following August

• Degree conferral: Officially awarded in October

Students are not required to remain on campus after submitting their thesis while awaiting their degree conferral.

If you are planning to begin another graduate program (e.g., medical, dental, or nursing school), you may be eligible to complete your thesis earlier in the summer with approval from your thesis mentor and the MS Associate Director. Students completing their degree at an earlier timepoint must still register for the summer Thesis Reserach course and remain on-campus for a porition of the summer term. 

Expect to spend ~60 hours/week on academics:

Fall/Spring Term

• ~15 credits x ~4 hours per credit

• Plus 10–15 hours/week on your thesis

Summer Term

• Full-time thesis research (~350+ hours) over the summer

• 3 credit Thesis Research course

Yes. Students may complete the program over 2–3 years. Part-time students typically take 2–3 courses per semester and one summer thesis research course.

Classes are held Monday–Thursday, 9 AM–6 PM, with one weekday (Friday) reserved for thesis work. Electives may extend your schedule to Fridays depending on your choices.

All classes take place at Columbia’s Irving Medical Center (168th Street, NYC).

In the fall, students take most classes as a group. One course is split into smaller discussion sections. Spring schedules vary based on elective choices.

Students register via Student Services Online (SSOL) in late August. Registration guidance is provided in the program’s Key Program Information Canvas site.

Yes. Students must take at least one IHN elective, but may also take approved courses from other Columbia departments, pending program approval.

We receive ~200–250 applications annually for 75–80 spots. Students typically have strong science backgrounds.

• Average GPA: 3.2 or higher

• Strong test scores (60th percentile+) are recommended, but not required

• We evaluate applicants holistically—if you’re a strong candidate with lower scores, please apply!

No. But if you’ve already taken standardized tests (MCAT, GRE, etc.), we encourage you to submit them. Use the addendum section of the application to provide context if needed.

We offer rolling admissions from December 1 to August 31. Applications are reviewed in order of receipt. We recommend applying early to increase your chances.

Yes. You may submit your application even if official transcripts or test scores are still pending. Your application will be reviewed once all required recommendation letters are received. Official transcripts and test scores may be submitted after the application has been reviewed.

Yes, and they’re preferred. Upload unofficial transcripts during the application process.

Official transcripts should be sent to: ihnadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu

You may mail hard copies to:
Institute of Human Nutrition
c/o Admissions
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
630 W 168th St, PH1512E
New York, NY 10032

Yes. Please use World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) to translate your transcript to the U.S. system.

Yes, if:

1. Your native language is not English and

2. Your undergraduate degree was not taught in English or you live in a non-English speaking country

Minimum scores:

• TOEFL (iBT): 100

• IELTS: 7.0

• Duolingo: 135

• Committee letters (e.g., pre-med or pre-health committee)

• Individual academic or professional letters

All letters can be emailed to ihnadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu or sent via Interfolio or mail.

IHN is independent from other Columbia programs. Admission to the MS program does not guarantee interviews or acceptance to Columbia’s medical, dental, or other graduate schools.

Our program fulfills the master’s degree requirement for RDs but does not include all the dietetics coursework or an internship. You’ll need to complete those elsewhere.

We’re happy to connect interested students with our alumni pursuing the RD path.

The Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential requires 1,000 hours of supervised training under a current CNS. While our MS program can provide all of the required coursework for CNS eligibility (including a physiology course as a spring elective), the 1,000 training hours must be completed after graduation. Due to the intensive time commitment of the one-year MS program, it is not feasible to complete these training hours while enrolled. We connect our students with the American Nutrition Association, which oversees the CNS process and can help you arrange this supervised training.

Graduates go on to careers in:

• Healthcare (MD, DO, RN, DDS, DPT, optometry, etc.)

• Dietetics and public health

• Consulting, research, journalism, tech, and business

Visit our Tuition and Financial Aid page for current tuition rates and a cost-of-living estimate.

Yes! Options include:

• Federal student loans

• External scholarships

• Yellow Ribbon program (for veterans)

• IHN Director’s Scholarship – a need-based award for U.S. students. Apply by May 15 with a completed FAFSA.

IHN does not provide direct aid to international students. We recommend contacting Columbia’s Student Financial Aid and Planning Office to explore outside options.

The program is intensive, and full-time students are discouraged from working. If you do work, we recommend part-time employment only after adjusting to your thesis and course load.

Yes. Columbia University offers on-campus and off-campus housing near the medical center. Apply for housing early after acceptance. Visit the CUIMC Office of Housing Services for details.

Yes. The Columbia Department of Public Safety operates 24/7 to ensure campus safety. Learn more on their website.

Yes. Due to the clinical components of the program, students must have completed the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. A booster is recommended but not required.