The Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University Nutrition (M.S.) program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor's degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, exercise science, kinesiology, sport management, health professions or other related areas who wish to investigate nutritional science, clinical nutrition, and research at a deeper level.

This is a 100% online program. Be sure you're ready to succeed. Find out more details and support.

Program outcomes are available upon request.

Mission

The Master of Science in Nutrition program at the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences is dedicated to preparing ethical, culturally responsive, and evidence-based nutrition professionals who advance health through leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and inclusive practice.

Through rigorous academic training, experiential learning, and continuous self-assessment, graduates will be equipped to deliver person-centered care, lead nutrition and food service programs, contribute to public policy, and promote health and well-being of individuals and communities.     

Program Goals

Upon program completion, individuals will be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills as well as possess the ability to:

• solve problems in the nutritional sciences
• communicate nutrition information effectively to a variety of audiences
• conduct themselves professionally within the framework of cultural humility
• promote health and wellbeing by applying nutrition science knowledge, utilizing
  appropriate assessment techniques, and translating emerging evidence

Concentrations

Our program offers two concentrations: Community Nutrition and Personalized Nutrition & Wellness. The first cohort of students will begin in Fall 2026 (August 2026).

Pre-Candidate Accreditation Statement

The Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) to open a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), a program that provides the dietetics coursework necessary for an individual to apply to an ACEND accredited dietetic internship or other ACEND accredited supervised practice program, in Fall 2026. Successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Master’s degree from a college or university recognized by USDE or foreign equivalent, and supervised practice/supervised experiential learning from an ACEND-accredited program, lead to eligibility to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)’s credentialing examination for dietitians.

Our eligibility application was accepted by ACEND, and we are in the candidacy process for our proposed program. The program is not accepting applications at this time but will do so upon successful completion of the eligibility application process if the program receives candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND.

For more information about the ACEND accreditation standards review the 2022 ACEND Accreditation Standards. 

Contact Salvatore Carbone, PhD, RDN (Program Director) at scarbone@odu.edu or 757-446-7149 for more information.

Contact Us

Contact us at nutritionVHS@odu.edu, email the Program Director Salvatore Carbone, Ph.D., RDN or call 757-446-7149 for more information

Message from the Program Director

Welcome to the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University Nutrition (M.S.) program. Our innovative, evidence-based curriculum offers two concentrations (Community Nutrition and Personalized Nutrition & Wellness), with a third concentration (Dietetics) currently in the pre-candidacy process for accreditation.

The program integrates rigorous theoretical knowledge with nutrition-focused virtual simulations across our online courses, turning science into real-world decisions. Because poor nutrition remains a leading driver of preventable disease and death in the United States and worldwide, our mission is to prepare graduates who improve outcomes through advanced knowledge, practical skills, and leadership.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me. I would be delighted to discuss the program with you.

Salvatore Carbone Ph.D., RDN, MS, FHFSA, FASPEN