Master of Public Health and Nutrition

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN NUTRITION

OFFICIAL PROGRAM GUIDE

A Fully Online, CEPH-Aligned Graduate Program

Proposed Launch: Summer 2026

Transforming Communities Through Nutrition Science,

Health Equity, and Public Health Leadership

YOUR FUTURE IN PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION STARTS HERE

The health of every community begins with what people eat—and who is trained to do something about it. Kentucky State University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition is designed for professionals, career changers, and recent graduates who want to lead the charge against the most pressing nutrition and health challenges facing our nation.

This isn’t a theoretical degree you frame and forget. This is a career-accelerating, fully online graduate program built around real-world application, community-centered research, and the kind of leadership skills that make you indispensable in any public health setting—from federal agencies and hospital systems to nonprofits, school districts, and private practice.

WHY THIS PROGRAM?

Because the world doesn’t need more people who understand nutrition in theory. It needs leaders who can turn science into policy, programs, and measurable outcomes.

Degree Awarded: Master of Public Health (MPH) with Concentration in Nutrition

CIP Code: 51.2201 — Public Health, General

Delivery Format: Fully online with asynchronous coursework and synchronous mentorship opportunities

Accreditation Pathway: Curriculum aligned with Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) competencies

Home College: College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR)

Institutional Distinction: Kentucky’s only public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant University

WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR

This program was built for professionals and aspiring leaders who see the gap between nutrition science and population health outcomes—and want to be the ones who close it.

• Working health professionals seeking an advanced credential that deepens expertise in public health nutrition, program evaluation, and policy advocacy
• Recent graduates in Nursing, Exercise Science, Psychology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Biology, or related fields ready for a graduate-level pathway into health leadership
• Career changers from education, social work, community development, or corporate wellness who want to pivot into one of the fastest-growing sectors in healthcare
• Military-connected professionals and veterans transitioning into civilian public health roles, leveraging discipline and leadership into community impact
• Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to launch nutrition consulting practices, wellness ventures, or community-based food access initiatives
• International students and global health advocates seeking a U.S.-accredited credential grounded in health equity and social determinants of health

WHAT MAKES KSU’S MPH IN NUTRITION DIFFERENT

1. Built on the Land-Grant Mission

Kentucky State University is not an institution that studies communities from a distance. As Kentucky’s only public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant University, KSU has a 140+ year legacy of serving the populations that other institutions overlook. Your Integrative Learning Experience (Practicum) and Capstone will partner directly with KSU’s Land-Grant programs, local health departments, and community organizations—giving you applied experience that matters, in communities that need it most.

2. CEPH-Aligned Competencies From Day One

Every course in this curriculum maps directly to the 22 foundational competencies required by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This means your degree is built for portability, professional credibility, and future accreditation—whether you pursue Certified in Public Health (CPH) certification or apply for roles that require CEPH-aligned training.

3. The Only Program of Its Kind in Kentucky

No other institution in the Commonwealth offers a fully online, CEPH-aligned Master of Public Health with an integrated Nutrition concentration. KSU fills an unmet need for advanced training in population-based nutrition and public health leadership, particularly for professionals serving rural and underserved communities.

4. Nutrition Concentration That Goes Beyond Clinical

This is not a dietetics degree. This is a public health degree with a nutrition lens—meaning you’ll learn to think at the population level: food systems, policy, epidemiology, community interventions, and behavioral health equity. You’ll graduate prepared to design programs, evaluate outcomes, shape policy, and lead organizations—not just counsel individual clients.

5. An Entrepreneurship Pathway Built Into the Curriculum

Unlike any comparable program, KSU’s MPH in Nutrition includes a dedicated Nutrition Entrepreneurship course that teaches you how to translate nutrition science into viable business ventures, consulting practices, and social enterprises. Combined with the program’s grant writing and funding mechanisms coursework, graduates leave with both the skills and the business acumen to build sustainable impact.

6. Faculty-Led, Not Factory-Built

Your courses are designed and taught by faculty with doctoral-level credentials, active research agendas, and deep ties to the communities KSU serves. This is a mentorship-driven program, not a content mill—you’ll work closely with faculty advisors on your practicum and capstone, building professional relationships that extend well beyond graduation.

CAREER OUTCOMES: WHERE THIS DEGREE TAKES YOU

Graduates of the MPH in Nutrition are prepared for leadership roles across a wide range of sectors. The program’s combination of epidemiology, policy, data analysis, nutrition science, and entrepreneurship creates a professional profile that is both specialized and versatile.

High-Demand Career Paths

• Public Health Nutritionist — Design and manage nutrition programs for state and local health departments, WIC programs, and community health centers
• Epidemiologist (Nutrition Focus) — Investigate dietary patterns, chronic disease trends, and food-related health outcomes at the population level
• Community Health Program Director — Lead health equity initiatives, food access programs, and chronic disease prevention efforts across organizations
• Wellness Coordinator — Develop and evaluate corporate, school-based, or community wellness programs grounded in nutrition science
• Health Policy Analyst — Inform and advocate for food and nutrition policies at the local, state, and federal level
• Grant Writer and Program Evaluator — Secure funding and assess outcomes for public health and nutrition programs
• Nutrition Entrepreneur — Launch private consulting practices, food access startups, wellness platforms, or community-based nutrition enterprises
• Infection Preventionist — With the embedded certificate, enter the growing field of healthcare infection control and emergency preparedness

SALARY OUTLOOK Median salaries for MPH graduates in nutrition and public health roles range from $70,000 to $85,000, with leadership and specialized positions exceeding six figures. Labor market projections show sustained growth across all target occupations.

 

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the MPH in Nutrition, graduates will be able to:

1. Integrate Public Health Knowledge: Apply interdisciplinary knowledge from epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health policy to design effective interventions across sectors.
2. Administer Epidemiological Methodology: Use epidemiological tools and data analysis to identify, assess, and address population health challenges with a focus on disease prevention and health promotion.
3. Develop Health Communication Skills: Create and implement public health messaging strategies that improve health literacy, engage diverse populations, and promote positive health behaviors.
4. Direct Multisector Initiatives: Demonstrate leadership and collaborative skills by working across government, nonprofit, and private sectors to address complex public health issues and advance policy.
5. Design and Evaluate Public Health Programs: Plan, execute, and assess programs that address health disparities in underserved communities, using data-driven frameworks and logic models.
6. Advocate for Health Equity: Promote policies and practices that improve access to healthcare and nutrition, addressing social determinants of health and reducing inequities in vulnerable populations.
7. Manage Public Health Funding: Identify funding opportunities, develop competitive grant proposals, and manage budgets to support sustainable public health initiatives and research.

ACCREDITATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

Quality isn’t a promise—it’s a system. The MPH in Nutrition is built on a rigorous continuous improvement framework aligned with CEPH standards, ensuring every graduate meets the highest professional benchmarks.

• All 22 CEPH foundational competencies are mapped to specific courses and assessments
• Student learning is tracked through a portfolio system spanning the entire curriculum, including practicum work products and capstone deliverables
• Annual rubric-based reviews of student artifacts ensure consistent academic standards
• A Community and Employer Advisory Board—including representatives from state health departments, hospitals, NGOs, and KSU Extension—provides ongoing input on workforce alignment
• Graduation rate targets of 70% or above, with 80%+ post-graduation employment or further education within one year
• Alumni and employer surveys conducted regularly to ensure curriculum relevance and graduate preparedness