Explore the Future of Health Through Nutrition Science
At the intersection of nutrition, health, and genetics lies a powerful opportunity: the ability to shape individualized nutrition plans that can prevent, manage, and even help treat disease. In the Department of Nutrition Science, we equip students with the knowledge and tools to do just that.
Our innovative undergraduate and graduate programs—including our fully online Master’s in Nutrition—prepare students to lead in a field that’s rapidly evolving. Developed by expert faculty with extensive experience in nutritional genomics, our curriculum integrates the latest scientific discoveries with practical application in clinical, research, and public health settings.
As the healthcare landscape shifts, the demand for highly trained Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) continues to grow. MU’s graduate program meets the national requirement for RDNs to hold a master’s degree, positioning our students for long-term career success.
Through coursework in nutritional genomics, metabolism, and evidence-based practice, students learn how to analyze genetic data, assess nutritional risks, and design personalized interventions. Whether you’re determining dietary strategies or enhancing health outcomes, a degree in nutrition science offers critical expertise that drives better care and informed decision-making.
Department Goals, Achievements and Outcomes
Mission, Vision and Value
Mission Statement
To cultivate graduates of ability and conviction to provide patient-centered care guided by respect for the infinite worth of individuals; and dedicated to improve communities by advancing pharmacy and graduate life sciences education, practice, service and scholarship.
Vision Statement
To improve the human condition through service.
Core Values:
We have a deep commitment to integrity.
We respect the infinite worth of every individual.
We seek excellence in all that we do. We are accepting of new ideas. We create and innovate without fear.
We foster personal and professional transformation. It is through learning that we become our better selves.
We serve for the betterment of others.
We seek and value collaboration and teamwork.
Milestones
- Launched an innovative online graduate degree program in nutrition and nutrigenomics (NGx) in 2023.
Accreditation
Accreditation
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0040 ext 5400
Competency Based Education
The MSNGx program is a Future Education Model competency-based education (CBE) program. This program is focused on student mastery of the competencies and performance indicators set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND states that “One of the advantages of CBE is that it fosters work readiness.
In the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards, the curriculum is guided with the competencies and their respective performance indicators, which are clearly defined based on the desired behaviors and job skills targeted.”
Competency based programs focus on students progress toward achieving required competencies rather than hours as in traditional time-based programs. CBE encourages students to drive their education progression. Faculty therefore become facilitators of student-led learning.
Meet the Faculty
Dr. Kimberli Pike, RDN
Director of Nutrition and NGx, Associate Professor
