The M.S. program offers both a thesis and non-thesis option. The M.S. thesis option is designed for students who are interested in pursuing research or an advanced degree. Students wishing to continue on in a Ph.D. program should follow the thesis option. Candidates who elect the M.S. thesis option must meet the requirements for a thesis, including pursuit of original research.

The M.S. non-thesis option is designed for students who are not interested in pursuing research. Instead, students take additional courses, including a graduate seminar in which they identify a topic, review the literature, and present a synthesis of their findings.

The Nutrition Department also offers a non-thesis M.S./DPD option, which is designed for students who are not interested in pursuing research but wish to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). Such students will complete coursework, as well as additional dietetics classes, as required by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All graduate DPD students will earn their Verification Statement through the undergraduate DPD program.