Prepare to make a difference in the lives of others.
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®).
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®).
Designed for working professionals, the degrees are 100% online and flexible to work around your busy schedule.
From nutrigenomics and personalized nutrition to botanicals and more, gain advanced knowledge in nutrition and natural health.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Both Pathways Include:
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
Credit hours
54
63
Time to completion
21
month
27
month
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 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