Arnold School of Public Health

Prepare to become a registered dietitian nutritionist with specialized training in performance nutrition. 

Performance nutrition is where nutrition science, health care and human performance come together. In the M.S. in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics program, you’ll learn how to use evidence-based nutrition strategies to support health, optimize physical performance and enhance recovery for a wide range of individuals — from athletes and recreationally active people to performing artists, patients and communities. 

This program is designed for students who want to become registered dietitian nutritionists and apply nutrition care in innovative ways across clinical, community, food systems, research and performance settings. The two-year program combines classroom learning with supervised experience, helping you build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for entry-level dietetics practice. 

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Why Study Performance Nutrition and Dietetics? 

Nutrition plays a powerful role in how people live, move, recover and thrive. As a student in this program, you’ll learn how to connect nutrition therapy with performance demands, health conditions, life stages and real-world behavior. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Performance nutrition 

• Medical nutrition therapy 

• Nutrition counseling and education 

• Nutrition through the life cycle 

• Food systems management 

• Nutrition and public health 

• Leadership and practice in performance nutrition and dietetics 

• Applied nutrition research 

• Performance nutrition therapy 

The curriculum is designed to cross traditional dietetics practice with performance nutrition services, preparing students to promote health and human performance in a variety of professional settings.  

What You’ll Experience 

This is a two-year, five-semester program that includes 44 credit hours and 1,200+ supervised experience hours in professional settings with preselected preceptors. Students complete learning experiences on campus and on site in and around Columbia, South Carolina. 

Through the program, you’ll gain experience in areas such as: 

• Nutrition therapy 

• Community nutrition 

• Food systems management 

• Research 

• Performance nutrition 

• Interdisciplinary professional practice 

By the end of the program, you’ll be prepared to apply nutrition and dietetics knowledge in ethical, evidence-based and practical ways that support both health and performance. 

Where This Degree Can Take You

Graduates will be prepared to pursue the RDN credential and work in nutrition and dietetics or related fields. Depending on your interests and licensure requirements, career paths may include: 

• Performance dietetics 

• Clinical nutrition 

• Community nutrition 

• Sports and human performance nutrition 

• Food systems management 

• Health care and wellness settings 

• Research, education or private practice 

• Nutrition services for athletes, active populations, performing artists and other groups with performance demands 

The program’s goals emphasize preparing graduates who are confident, competent entry-level dietitians and who can apply nutrition care in unique and innovative ways to improve health and human performance. 

A Program Built for Future RDNs 

The M.S. in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics is housed in the Department of Exercise Science in the Arnold School of Public Health. Students learn within a school that connects health, movement, nutrition and community impact — giving you a strong foundation for dietetics practice in both traditional and emerging settings. 

The program has been granted candidacy for accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and follows ACEND Future Education Model Standards. After completing all program requirements, students are recognized as graduates of an ACEND-accredited program. (University of South Carolina)

Statement of Accreditation 

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• Statement of Accreditation

  The University of South Carolina Master of Science in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics Program has been granted candidacy for accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. After successfully completing all program requirements, our students are recognized as graduates of an ACEND-accredited program. This program follows the Future Education Model Standards of ACEND. 

  Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics 
  120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 
  Chicago, IL 60606-6995 ACEND@eatright.org  | 1-800-877-1600 ext. 5400 

Admission Requirements 

Students must apply for the M.S. program through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS). Learn about the complete application requirements and prerequisites for the M.S. program.

Application deadlines 

This program has a fall semester start only. 

• Application opens: August 15th 
  
• Application deadline: January 1st 
  
• Program decision deadline: March 1st 
  
• Applicant decision deadline: March 15th 

Is USC's Program Right for You? 

This program may be a strong fit if you want to: 

• Become a registered dietitian nutritionist 

• Work at the intersection of nutrition, health and performance 

• Support athletes, active individuals, patients or communities through evidence-based nutrition care 

• Gain both classroom preparation and supervised professional experience 

• Build a career in dietetics with specialized preparation in performance nutrition 

Request Information 

Learn more about the M.S. in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics.