MS in Nutrition

The MS in Nutrition Coordinated Program pathway is only for students who wish to pursue the registered dietitian (RD) credential and practice in the United States. Students looking for advanced training in nutrition and who do not wish to become registered dietitians, or who already have the RD credential, should apply to the traditional program pathway (the MS in Nutrition).

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Students needing prerequisites for admission can take these courses as nondegree students. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field Applicants for graduate study in nutrition may come from the entire spectrum of undergraduate fields, or from other health professions such as medicine or nursing. Some applicants may not meet all course prerequisites without having to take selected additional undergraduate coursework. Minimum prerequisites for full admission to graduate study can be obtained from the department.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study; and 3.50/4.00 for all graduate work.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
    • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
    • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
  • Letters of Recommendation Two required.
  • Personal Statement Required.
  • Written Interview Questions Required for Coordinated Program only.
  • Prerequisite Form Required for Coordinated Program only.

The Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition also maintains an accelerated pathway in relation to the Coordinated Program pathway, with a separate application process, open only to students in the BS in Nutrition, Nutrition Science Concentration program

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

MS in Nutrition

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 36 from the baccalaureate.
  • Coursework Selected in consultation with an advisor and individualized to the students goals.
  • Comprehensive Examination None.
  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Students select one of these options.
    • Thesis: Students selecting the thesis track must earn at least 5 hours in HN 598.
    • Project: Students selecting the project track must earn at least 5 hours in HN 597.
    • Coursework Only: Students selecting coursework only must complete at least 36 hours of 400- and 500-level courses. 

Coordinated Program

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 36 beyond the baccalaureate degree.
  • Coursework 
Required Courses
HN 455
Supervised Practice II (15 hours total)
HN 581
Dietetics/Nutrition Instructional Practicum (1 hour)
Electives
At minimum, 20 semester hours in 400- and 500-level courses, selected in consultation with an advisor and individualized to the student's goals. At least 9 semester hours must be 500-level HN courses (not including HN 596, HN 597, and HN 598).
Required Supervised Practice Hours
To be prepared for the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist following graduation, all students in the Coordinated Program pathway are required to complete supervised practice hours within the HN 455 course. This process includes first successfully completing the clinical preparatory course HN 581, and then all 50 Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) competencies within the supervised practice rotations that are built into HN 455.
  • Comprehensive Examination None.
  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Students select one of these options.
    • Project: Students selecting the project track must earn at least 5 semester hours in HN 597.a
    • Coursework Only:  This option is for the Coordinated Program pathway. Students admitted to the Coordinated Program can choose to do a project, but this may add additional time to their degree. No additional requirements.
a

Students may apply the semester hours in HN 597 towards the total electives required for the degree, though not towards the 9 semester hours minimum in 500-level HN coursework.