Public Health Nutrition - MPH

The mission of the GW Master of Public Health (MPH) Public Health Nutrition program is to train the next generation of health professionals to integrate nutrition into all aspects of public health practice. Graduates will contribute to the development and improved efficacy of health programs related to nutrition, health promotion, and disease prevention.  In addition, the MPH in Public Health Nutrition degree coursework helps professionals to evaluate the best nutrition-related interventions to use at the community, national, and global levels.

Our program is designed for students who are committed to improving public health.  Students will have achieved the following core competencies in Public Health Nutrition practice at the completion of the degree program:

• Use appropriate nutrition assessment methods at the individual, community, or population levels.
• Design, implement, and evaluate food and nutrition programs and policies and their effects on population health outcomes.
• Employ systems thinking to identify and address factors impacting the accessibility, availability, adequacy, and safety of the food supply. 
• Apply a policy, systems and environment approach to creating healthy food environments at the population level.
• Utilize appropriate research methods to address public health nutrition issues and support food and nutrition-related programs and policy development.

Flexible Programming

To help students fit graduate school into their daily life, Milken Institute SPH provides flexible course offerings, which allows Public Health Nutrition students to take up to 15 credits online.

Program Requirements

Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in nutrition must successfully complete, (minimum grade of C), introductory nutrition and nutritional biochemistry coursework prior to matriculation into the program.  At the graduate level, enrollment in the online graduate course PUBH 6619, Fundamentals of Nutrition Science, prior to matriculation, will satisfy this requirement. Some undergraduate coursework, such as GW's EXNS 2119, will also satisfy this requirement.  Please contact the program director, in advance, to review course content from other academic institutions, at the graduate or undergraduate level, to properly identify if the pre-requisite requirements have been met.

Students in the GW MPH programs gain practical skills and knowledge through their Applied Practice Experiences (practicum). It is important for MPH Public Health Nutrition graduates to feel confident in their skills and gain real-world experience during their studies. Students in the Public Health Nutrition MPH program complete both an Applied Practice Experience and a Culminating Experience to practice their knowledge and skills in real-world settings.

Your Practicum

In the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, the Practicum is designed to engage students in a Practice Activity—a planned, supervised, and evaluated experience in a public health organization. The Practice Activity can be related to either primary research or public health practice. It might include activities such as conducting literature reviews, writing proposals, designing ad campaigns, and collecting and analyzing data.

Although not encouraged, students may complete the practicum requirement at their current place of employment, provided that:

• The organization engages in public health related work;
• The organization and preceptor have been approved by SPH;  
• The site preceptor is not the student’s current job supervisor; and
• The content of the practicum is separate and distinct from the student’s regular work responsibilities.

Your Culminating Experience

The Culminating Experience (CE) is a credit/no-credit course in which students complete a capstone project that reflects an aspect of professional practice. It is through this course that the faculty evaluate the extent to which the student has mastered the body of knowledge and can demonstrate proficiency in the required competencies.  Students in the Public Health Nutrition MPH program may choose from several options for their CE project, including primary data collection and analysis or analysis of secondary data, conducting a systematic review of the literature on a public health nutrition related topic, development of a white paper on a public health nutrition related policy issue, or development, implementation, and evaluation of a program/project designed to address a public health nutrition related practice issue.

Examples of Past Culminating Experiences

Students pursuing an MPH in Public Health Nutrition have access to a world-class faculty with relevant expertise and diverse experience in research, governmental, clinical, and educational settings. The many areas of interest and research experience for professors and lecturers in the Public Health Nutrition Master of Public Health program include pathophysiology, chronic disease prevention, nutrition assessment, research methods, design theory, and policy advocacy.

We’re pleased to introduce you to these MPH Public Health Nutrition faculty members:

Dr. Uriyoan Colon-Ramos (Global Health)

Dr. Rob Van Dam (EXNS)

Dr. Loretta DiPietro (EXNS)

Dr. Gabby Headrick (EXNS)

Dr. Michael Long (Prevention and Community Health)

Dr. Karina Lora (EXNS)

Dr. Allison Sylvetsky (EXNS)

Dr. Kim Robien (EXNS)

Dr. Jennifer Sacheck (EXNS)

Dr. Emily Smith (Global Health & Nutrition Sciences)

Dr. Sameera Talegawkar (EXNS)

Public health practitioners with specialized training in public health nutrition are employed in a variety of settings, including public health agencies at the local, state, national and international levels.  Public health nutrition professionals also work for non-governmental agencies, foundations, and advocacy groups providing nutrition expertise.  In the private sector, public health nutritionists work in corporate wellness programs, health care organizations, food banks, and other health-related community organizations.  Some PHN practitioners become private consultants or food and nutrition journalists.

Example Job List for Graduates

State and Local Agencies

• SNAP-Ed Educator or Director
• WIC Nutritionist or Director
• Extension Specialist, Educator
• Farm-to-school Coordinator
• Food Policy Director

Federal Public Health Agencies 
(such as USDA, FDA, CDC, NIH, HHS, USAID)

• Nutrition Epidemiologist
• Nutrition Analyst
• Nutrition Educator or communication specialist
• Nutrition Specialist

International Public Health Agencies

• Nutrition Epidemiologist (World Health Organization)
• Population Health Nutrition Officer (USAID)
• Nutrition Officer (UN Food and Agriculture Organization)

Non-Government Agency

• Program Manager (Nutrition Specialist)

Charitable Organizations

• Technical Advisor, Nutrition
• Director of Food or Nutrition Related Programs

Non-profit Organizations

• Program Officer, Nutrition Program
• Project Manager for food and nutrition projects
• Food Access Director
• Food and Nutrition Policy Analyst or Director
• Director of Nutrition Programs

Health Care Industry

• Health Improvement Project Manager
• Worksite Wellness Director

Food Industry

• Food Labeling Specialist

Academia / Research

• Study Coordinator for Nutrition Research Projects

Independent Entrepreneur

• Food and Nutrition Consultant
• Food and Nutrition Journalist / Author
• Food and Nutrition Analyst

Example Organizations List for Graduates

International Organizations

• World Health Organization
• UN Food and Agriculture Organization
• Pan American Health Organization
• Peace Corps
• World Vision
• International Food Research and Policy Institute (IFPRI)

Federal Agencies and State / Local Government

• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Institutes for Health (NIH)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
• State and Local Departments of Health
• State Departments of Agriculture

Non-Profit Organizations

• DC Greens
• DC Central Kitchen
• Partnership for a Healthier America
• Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
• DC Hunger Solutions
• Food Research and Action Center(FRAC)
• Local Food Banks
• Environmental Working Group
• Food and Water Watch
• World Resources Institute
• National Resources Defense Council
• Winrock International

Consulting Groups

• Altarum Institute
• Abt Associates
• Mathematica Policy Research
• Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
• Urban Institute
• Bipartisan Policy Center