Undergraduates pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics already have an interest in public health. NYU now offers students an opportunity to build upon their BS and add a Master of Public Health degree by extending their studies for just one additional year.
The BS/MPH is a five-year program that allows students to work toward an MPH in Public Health Nutrition (PHN) from GPH at the same time they earn a BS from NYU Steinhardt, via an expedited program that enables them to earn both degrees and requires less time and tuition than is needed to complete each program separately.
The goal of this program is to create a path to meeting new, higher standards for nutrition practitioners. It will prepare students to assume leadership positions in public health nutrition settings that require a systematic approach to addressing issues. In January 2024 the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will adopt a minimum requirement of a master’s degree for entry-level registered dietitians. With the BS/MPH, students can earn their professional RD credential on an accelerated basis, streamlining a path to their career goals.
How it Works
Students who major in the Nutrition & Dietetics program at NYU Steinhardt are eligible to apply to the program on a rolling basis, with admission for either the Fall or Spring semesters. Students admitted to the 4+1 BS/MPH program will accelerate their progress to the MPH degree by earning 18 MPH credits during their undergraduate program. These 18 credits comprise the MPH required core courses which students may double count toward both the BS and MPH degrees.
Students who pursue the 4 + 1 will have a total of 157 credits and two degrees at the end of 5 years. Taken separately, both degrees would take a minimum of six years and a total of 175 credits.
Key Skills
Upon graduating from the program, students will be able to:
- Identify and assess health problems related to diet and nutritional status, inclusive of under-nutrition and over-nutrition, among diverse population groups in the United States and abroad;
- Describe the social, cultural, economic, environmental, and institutional factors that contribute to the risk of under-nutrition and over-nutrition among populations;
- Compare and contrast educational, community, institutional, and other population-based intervention strategies to improve nutritional health status, decrease food scarcity and reduce obesity;
- Analyze and assess policies aimed at increasing access and reducing barriers to food security and improved national health status in diverse population groups; and
- Apply evidence-based research findings to the development and implementation of nutrition policies, programs and interventions in the United States and globally
How to Apply
Students may communicate their interest in the 4 + 1 program to a GPH Public Health Nutrition faculty member as early as their freshman year, usually after completing their first semester in the Department of Nutrition & Food Studies at NYU Steinhardt.
The application process requires students to complete an online application form, submit a personal statement, and meet with a GPH PHN advisor in person. Students are not required to complete the GRE and they must be in good standing in Steinhardt’s Nutrition and Dietetics program, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The deadline for the Fall semester is August 15th. The deadline for the Spring semester is December 1st. For more information or to ask a question please contact the Program Director for GPH’s Public Health Nutrition concentration at gph.nutrution@nyu.edu.
Students enrolled in this program may also simultaneously complete the necessary course requirements and apply for a dietetic internship to prepare to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Learn more about how to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, which involves completing a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
4 + 1 Public Health Nutrition Course Sequence:
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Fall 1 (16 credits) |
Spring 1 (16 credits) |
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Steinhardt coursework |
Steinhardt coursework |
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Fall 2 (19 credits) |
Spring 2 (18 credits) |
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Steinhardt coursework |
Steinhardt coursework |
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Fall 3 (21 credits) |
Spring 3 (19 credits) |
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GPH-GU 2106 Epidemiology (3) |
GPH-GU 2213 Public Health Nutrition (3) |
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Fall 4 (18 credits) |
Spring 4 (19 credits) |
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GPH-GU 5190 Essentials of Public Health Biology (3) |
GPH-GU 2995 Biostatistics for Public Health (3) |
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Summer - 180 hours of public health practice (6 credits) GPH-GU 2110 Health Care Policy (1.5) Note: students should work with their GPH advisor on their plans for summer and their MPH year. These courses are always offered over the summer, as well as one or two electives. Students may take one or more of these courses if they would like to lighten their course load for the MPH year. |
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Fall 5 - MPH year (11 credits) |
Spring 5 - MPH year (11 credits) |
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GPH-GU 2359 Applied Practice Experience Seminar (2) |
GPH-GU 2360 Integrative Learning Experience Seminar (2) |
* students in the Public Health Nutrition concentration may take any GPH-GU course as an elective, pending any prerequisites or concentration restrictions.