The Master of Science in Nutrition for Wellness program prepares students to serve as leaders in whole-food education. Students gain a scientific foundation for understanding the vast world of nutrition. They learn to evaluate new studies and parse good information from bad.

But students gain more than just knowledge. They develop tools for communicating complex information in simple ways that transform peoples' lives. Students develop advanced skills in writing, public speaking, cooking demonstrations, creating innovative nutrition programs, motivating behavior change and other tools for bringing their knowledge to people who need it.

Distinct Niche

The nutrition for wellness program teaches skills to deliver effective food and nutrition education for groups through a variety of media. In an era when obesity and related chronic diseases are on the rise, this degree trains professionals who can motivate groups to make positive lifestyle changes. Graduates are prepared for careers in corporate wellness programs, public health programs, grocery store chains, schools and senior centers.

Areas of Focus

The program is grounded in the whole-food philosophy that guides all of Bastyr University’s nutrition education, emphasizing eating a broad variety of foods in their least-processed forms. The program reflects the University’s holistic understanding of mind-body-spirit health, teaching students to draw connections between food, exercise science and health psychology. It also focuses on food for disease prevention, behavior change and development of nutrition programs.

Format

Classes take place Monday-Friday at Bastyr University California’s campus in San Diego. Students take one class online each quarter, taught by a Bastyr University nutrition faculty member in Washington.

Second-year students complete capstone projects that model the kinds of programs they might develop in their careers — such as a workplace wellness program, cooking demonstration series or video series.

Certification

Graduates will qualify as nutrition professionals under current California Code, and will be eligible to become Certified Nutritionists (CN) in the state of Washington. Other states may offer similar options.

Campus

Bastyr University California’s campus includes a new culinary and nutritional teaching kitchen, along with newly expanded study spaces, classrooms, and library and laboratory facilities. The campus in San Diego's Torrey Pines area is just minutes from the beach, with a canyon nature preserve next to campus. Learn more.

As part of Bastyr University California, students share a campus with students of naturopathic medicine and other natural health fields, learning from each other during their programs.