Online Master's in Clinical Nutrition

Prepare to make a difference in the lives of others.

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Transform lives with a Clinical
Nutrition Degree

With the increased importance of nutrition as a preventive measure and treatment for chronic diseases, the demand for trained, qualified clinical nutrition practitioners has greatly outpaced the U.S. healthcare system’s capacity.1

This master’s degree provides rigorous training in nutritional science, clinical assessment, and evidence-based nutrition practice to support advanced practice in clinical nutrition. Graduates pursue careers as clinical nutrition practitioners, researchers, educators, or policy advocates in settings such as private practice, hospitals, consulting, integrative health centers, government, nonprofit organizations, and academia.

Designed for working adults, this flexible 100% online degree allows you to balance your studies with your career and personal life while advancing toward your professional goals.

Sonoran University of Health Sciences meets the growing demand for clinical nutrition professionals by offering 100% online master’s degree options designed to develop the next generation of clinical nutrition practitioners.

Our graduate clinical nutrition degree pathways share the same core curriculum and are designed to meet the academic requirements for eligibility for the Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®).

Empower Your Future with Advanced Nutrition Knowledge

Transform your passion for nutrition into a nutrition career of leadership and impact. Our program equips you with the knowledge, skills, and evidence-based strategies to improve individual and public health, empowering you to create meaningful change through effective, evidence-based nutrition services.

Our 100% online curriculum, guided by leading experts in nutrition, prepares you for impactful careers in clinical nutrition. You’ll explore nutritional sciences, self-care, whole food nutrition, and responsible dietary supplement use, alongside emerging fields like nutrigenomics and microbiomics. Through our Virtual Health Center Experience, you’ll safely apply your skills in a dynamic, realistic environment.

Our degree also provides the clinical and scientific knowledge you need to meet your goal to become an advanced nutrition professional while also helping you prepare to become a Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®).

A Clinical Nutrition Degree
from Sonoran University

Accelerated &

Fully Online

Designed for working professionals, the degrees are 100% online and flexible to work around your busy schedule.

Practical Courses for
Career Advancement

From nutrigenomics and personalized nutrition to botanicals and more, gain advanced knowledge in nutrition and natural health.

Prepare for CNS®
Certification

Our Clinical Nutrition program is fully aligned with the Certified Nutrition Specialist CNS® coursework requirements, exam prep, and
Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) requirements. Find out from one of our graduates about how we prepare you to become CNS® certified.

Program Benefits

Real-world Applications and Interventions

Our Clinical Nutrition program provides a strong foundation of physiology, nutrition across the lifecycle, emerging topics in nutrition, and a deep understanding of how nutrition impacts health.

Virtual Health Center Experience

The Clinical Nutrition curriculum includes a Virtual Health Center Experience designed to simulate the interaction between a nutritionist and their client and allows you to practice applying new skills and knowledge safely in a virtual training environment.

Gain an advantage in a growing job market

Whether you want to open your own clinical nutrition practice or join an established clinic, nutrition jobs are expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.1 Increasingly, an advanced degree is a must-have for nutrition professionals as they seek employment and advancement.2

Certification to help set yourself apart

Our degree provides opportunities to earn special industry-specific training and a Certificate in the Principles of Nutritional Genomics from the American Nutrition Association while you earn your degree.

Two Clinical Training Options for CNS® Eligibility

Sonoran offers two ways to complete the supervised practice hours required for CNS® certification. Both options share the same core clinical nutrition curriculum and prepare graduates for advanced practice. The difference is how supervised practice hours are completed.

 

The Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential (CNS®) is the most advanced certification for personalized nutrition practitioners.3 This recognized credential demonstrates proficiency in science-based personalized nutrition therapy to power people to health.

Uniquely Positioned for Success

    Both Pathways Include:

  • 100% online learning
  • Innovative clinical nutrition core curriculum
  • Virtual Health Center Experience
  • Coursework designed to meet the academic eligibility requirements for the Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) credential
  • Preparation for the CNS® examination

Two Paths to CNS® Certification 

Flexibile Clinical Option

Integrated Clinical Training Option

Supervised practice hours completed during the program.

349 hours

1000 hours

Includes the Applied Clinical Training Experience

Includes Interprofessional Education

Credit hours

54

63

Time to completion

21

month

27

month

Program Overviews

These pathways correspond to the following degree options:

M.S. in Clinical Nutrition (MSCN)

A flexible pathway that includes a portion of supervised practice hours during the degree while allowing students to complete the remaining hours independently to meet CNS® certification requirements.

M.S. in Applied Clinical Nutrition (MSACN)

A structured pathway that integrates the full 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training required for CNS® certification directly into the degree. This structured pathway offers unmatched convenience and preparation for aspiring nutrition professionals.

Which Option is Right for You?

Not sure which path fits your goals? You don’t need to choose a pathway before requesting information—our team will help guide you.

  • I want my supervised practice hours included in my degree →M.S. in Applied Clinical Nutrition
  • I already have clinical placement access or want flexibility in completing practice hours → M.S. in Clinical Nutrition
  • I prefer a structured clinical training experience → M.S. in Applied Clinical Nutrition
  • I want a more customizable path to completing supervised practice hours M.S. in Clinical Nutrition

Discover
Your Path
in Clinical Nutrition

Find out more about tuition
and fees

Get started
with your
application

In Their Words

I chose Sonoran University of Health Sciences because I needed a fully online program that would prepare me to earn the CNS® credential so I can be licensed to practice in my state.

— Julie B., M.S. in Clinical Nutrition

— Dr. Oluwatosin Oluokun, M.S. in Clinical Nutrition

I feel like Sonoran University of Health Sciences truly prepares you for the world of Clinical Nutrition. I would highly recommend this school to anyone.

— Sammeisha C., M.S. in Clinical Nutrition

Which Sonoran University program is right for me?

Online M.S. in Applied Clinical Nutrition

You are ready to distinguish yourself with the Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) credential and are looking for a degree program that meets 100% of the didactic and supervised practice experience requirements.  As a CNS® you aspire to become a clinician, researcher, educator, or policy advocate in a variety of settings such as private practice, integrative health center, consulting, hospital, government, nonprofit, or academia.

Online M.S. in Clinical Nutrition

You aspire to be a nutritional clinician, researcher, educator, or policy advocate in a variety of settings such as private practice, integrative health center, consulting, hospital, government, nonprofit, or academia.

Online M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

You aspire to be a clinical mental health counselor in diverse settings, including private practice, wellness centers, schools, hospitals, or nonprofits, with specialties such as mental health, school and career counseling, behavioral, couples and family therapy, substance use disorders, trauma and grief counseling, and more.

Online Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) Program

You aim to complete the required Supervised Practice Experience hours to earn your Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) credential.

Online M.S. in Nutrition Business Leadership

You seek leadership roles in the nutraceutical and natural products industry, including executive-level positions in areas such as operations, sales, supply chain, and quality control.

References

  1. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dietitians and Nutritionists,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm
  2. “2024 Graduate Degree Requirement – Registration Eligibility,” Commission on Dietetic Registration, 2024, https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree 

    “Nutrition & Health Professionals,” American Nutrition Association, 2024, https://www.theana.org/certify/become-a-cns/nutritionists-health-professionals/ 
  3. “Become a CNS,”  American Nutrition Association, 2025 https://www.theana.org/certify/become-a-cns/