Program Overview

Department of Dietetics and Nutrition

The Department of Dietetics and Nutrition offers various programs, including the Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition.

Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition

The master's degree program curriculum offers a thesis and non-thesis option. The master's degree in dietetics and nutrition consists of 30 credit hours with both thesis and non-thesis research options. The program offers coursework in the biochemical, clinical, and behavioral aspects of nutrition.

Program Curriculum

The program curriculum includes the following courses:

• DN 834 Methods of Research in Nutrition (3 credits)
• DN 895 Advanced Macronutrients & Integrated Metabolism (3 credits)
• BIOS 704 Principles of Statistics in Public Health (or another biostatistics 700-800 level course) (3 credits)
• DN 896 Advanced Micronutrients & Integrated Metabolism (3 credits)
• DN 870 Health Behavior Counseling (1 credit hour)
• DN 818 Seminar in Dietetics and Nutrition II (1 credit hour)
• DN 819 Scientific Writing for the Nutritional Sciences (1 credit hour)
• Research (3 credit hours)
• DN 899 (3 credit hours) for the thesis option or DN 854 for the non-thesis option
• Electives (up to 6 hours may be outside the dietetics and nutrition program) (9 credit hours for the thesis option, 12 credit hours for the non-thesis option)

Differences in Research Experiences for the Two Options

The thesis option (DN 899) includes all aspects of the research process, usually spanning three semesters, and requires a written research proposal, collection of research data, written thesis, oral research defense, and a 30-minute oral exam. The non-thesis option (DN 854) involves doing a part of the research process, usually in one semester, and requires a one-page proposal, a final written report, project defense, and a one-hour oral exam.

Course Descriptions

The department offers various courses, including:

• DN 800 Selected Topics in Clinical Dietetics (1-6 credits)
• DN 817 Seminar in Dietetics and Nutrition (1 credit)
• DN 818 Seminar in Dietetics & Nutrition II (1 credit)
• DN 819 Scientific Writing for the Nutritional Sciences (1 credit)
• DN 822 Management Dietetics & Nutrition I (1-2 credits)
• DN 823 Management Dietetics & Nutrition II (2 credits)
• DN 825 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 credits)
• DN 826 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 credits)
• DN 829 Nutrition and Aging (2 credits)
• DN 834 Methods of Research in Nutrition (3 credits)
• DN 838 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 credits, available online)
• DN 839 Clinical Aspects of Nutrition Support (3 credits, available online)
• DN 841 International Nutrition (1-3 credits, available online)
• DN 842 United States Public Health Nutrition (1-3 credits, available online)
• DN 854 Special Problems in Dietetics and Nutrition (1-4 credits)
• DN 862 Maternal and Child Nutrition (3 credits, available online)
• DN 865 Nutrition in Sports and Exercise (3 credits, available online)
• DN 870 Health Behavior Counseling (3 credits)
• DN 874 Nutrition Therapy for Eating Disorders (3 credits, available online)
• DN 875 Pediatric Clinical Nutrition (3 credits, available online)
• DN 876 Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Obesity (3 credits, available online)
• DN 880 Dietary and Herbal Supplements (2-3 credits, available online)
• DN 881 Introduction to Dietetics and Integrative Medicine (3 credits, available online)
• DN 882 A Nutrition Approach to Inflammation and Immune Regulation (3 credits, available online)
• DN 884 Diet, Physical Activity & Cancer (3 credits)
• DN 890 Graduate Research (1-4 credits)
• DN 895 Advanced Macronutrients and Integrated Metabolism (3 credits)
• DN 896 Advanced Micronutrients and Integrated Metabolism (3 credits)
• DN 899 Thesis (1-6 credits)
• DN 980 Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics in Health and Disease (3 credits)

Vaccines and Clinical Site Requirements

The University of Kansas Medical Center requires various immunizations for its students. These immunization requirements help promote health and safety and facilitate clinical placement. Many clinical sites require proof of these vaccines for students engaged in training or other programmatic experiences. Not being vaccinated may preclude students from participating in activities, potentially impeding their ability to complete all program requirements for degree completion.