Program developed in collaboration with Otterbein University through the Coalition for the Common Good
Antioch University has launched a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) through its Graduate School of Nursing and Health Professions. The 21-month program is designed to prepare graduates to become compassionate, equity-driven Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) ready to lead in clinical, community, and public health settings. With the first cohort beginning in Fall 2026, the MSND combines rigorous scientific training with Antioch’s long-standing commitment to social justice, community engagement, and whole-person education.
“Antioch’s new Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is a powerful example of the Coalition for the Common Good in action, pairing Otterbein University’s longstanding expertise in healthcare education with Antioch’s commitment to social justice, community-based research, and applied learning,” said Lori Varlotta, President of Antioch University and Executive Vice President of the Coalition for the Common Good. “Together, we’re expanding access to rigorous, practice-based nutrition education and preparing dietitians to improve health outcomes and advance food equity in their communities.”
The MS in Nutrition and Dietetics prepares graduates to lead in clinical and community settings, applying nutrition science to improve health outcomes and advance equitable, culturally responsive care. The program combines advanced coursework in nutritional science, biochemistry, clinical practice, and population health with supervised experiential learning placements in healthcare systems, community organizations, and public health settings—all designed to prepare students for professional practice through hands-on experience and meaningful community impact.
“As chronic disease rates rise and healthcare shifts toward prevention, the need for highly trained dietitians and nutrition professionals has never been greater,” said Nadiya Ali Timperman, MPH, RDN, LD, Founding Director and faculty of the MSND. Timperman joined Antioch from Otterbein University, where she ran the undergraduate nutrition minor. “Our graduates will be equipped not only to meet the requirements to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing exam but also to make meaningful impacts on individual and community health equity.”
The MSND is a distance-learning program, but over the course of their studies, students will be expected to attend two 3-day, in-person workshops at Otterbein University in Westerville, OH. The MSND provides supervised experiential learning (SEL) sites in Central Ohio, placing students in a range of professional settings through an extensive network. For these reasons, students are expected to reside in Central Ohio.
The MS in Nutrition and Dietetics is designed for working professionals and career changers seeking a meaningful path into healthcare. With small cohort sizes and personalized faculty mentorship, students benefit from Antioch’s learner-centered model, which supports academic success and professional growth.
All graduates from the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at Antioch University are eligible for the Commission on Dietetics Registration’s (CDR) credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists (RDN). Applications for the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics are now being accepted
MS in Nutrition and Dietetics
Turn your passion for nutrition into real-world impact. Antioch University’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetics prepares you to improve health outcomes in diverse communities through hands-on training, systems-level thinking, and a strong focus on equity and social justice in healthcare.
