Program Overview

Nutrition - M.S.

Overview

The Master of Science degree in Nutrition emphasizes a strong nutritional sciences foundation through coursework and opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research in community settings. Graduates obtain positions as nutrition-exercise specialists; cooperative extension nutrition specialists; higher education instructors; research associates; and as nutritionists in health care and community agencies such as Head Start and Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Admissions

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Upper level, undergraduate coursework in biochemistry, physiology and advanced nutrition
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement (required for Dietetic Internship concentration only)
• Dietetic internship application through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) with D & D Digital Computer Matching (required for Dietetic Internship concentration only)
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Coursework

Major Requirements

• NUTR 61015: Nutrition and Disease
• NUTR 61016: Research Methods in Nutrition I
• NUTR 61017: Research Methods in Nutrition II
• NUTR 63519: Advanced Study of Micronutrients
• NUTR 63520: Macronutrient Nutrition
• NUTR 63521: Nutrition and Disease: Clinical Applications
• Supporting Electives, choose from the following in consultation with advisor:
  • NUTR 51095: Special Topics in Nutrition
  • NUTR 51096: Individual Investigation in Nutrition
  • NUTR 53013: Research and Statistical Methods in Nutrition
  • NUTR 53512: Macronutrient Nutritional Biochemistry
  • NUTR 53513: Micronutrient Nutritional Biochemistry
  • NUTR 53515: Community Nutrition
  • NUTR 53518: Lifecycle Nutrition
  • NUTR 53522: Integrative and Functional Nutrition
  • NUTR 53532: Methods and Experiences in Nutrition Outreach
  • NUTR 53540: Medical Nutrition Therapy I
  • NUTR 53541: Medical Nutrition Therapy I Laboratory
  • NUTR 53542: Medical Nutrition Therapy II
  • NUTR 53543: Medical Nutrition Therapy II Laboratory
  • NUTR 63518: Advanced Sports Nutrition
  • NUTR 63524: Perspectives on Prevention and Practice in Community Nutrition
  • NUTR 63591: Nutrition Seminar

Culminating Requirement

• Choose from the following:
  • NUTR 61099: Master's Project
  • NUTR 63199: Thesis I

Additional Requirements or Concentration

• Choose from the following:
  • Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
  • Dietetic Internship Concentration

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

• Additional Requirements (may be selected from other graduate courses in clearly related areas)

Dietetic Internship Concentration Requirements

• NUTR 63522: Communication, Management and Professionalism in Dietetics
• NUTR 63525: Dietetic Practice: Community
• NUTR 63526: Dietetic Practice: Management
• NUTR 63527: Dietetic Practice: Clinical
• NUTR 63592: Dietetic Internship

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Describe the physiological functions, metabolism, dietary requirements, deficiency symptoms, food sources and the metabolic utilization of macronutrients and micronutrients for physiological processes; and how they relate to nutrition, health promotion and disease prevention/treatment.
2. Contribute to the quality of life, well-being and wellness of individuals and families by utilizing their nutrition knowledge and participating in activities that promote nutritional well-being.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and apply knowledge gained by participation in research and/or outreach.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.