Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Nutrition
Website: https://twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences/graduate-programs/ms-in-exercise-and-sports-nutrition/
The Master's of Science in Exercise and Sports Nutrition program is administered through the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences on both the Denton and Houston campuses. In the M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition program, you will learn how to affect changes in exercise and nutrition habits for individuals. You may also be involved in research studies such as those that determine how diet and exercise impact muscle proteins and body composition.
Marketable Skills
Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."
- Integrate best nutrition practices to optimize exercise performance.
- Effectively communicate exercise and nutrition principles in written and verbal communications.
- Interpret scientific literature in the field of exercise and sports nutrition.
- Lead a team of exercise and sports nutrition professionals.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
Thesis Option: 36 semester credit hours (SCH)
Coursework-Only Option: 39 semester credit hours (SCH)
Thesis (36 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Group I – Required Core Courses (9 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| Research Methods or Statistics Course - Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | ||
| Statistics for Family Sciences | ||
| Applied Statistics in Health Promotion | ||
| Methods of Research | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Group II – Additional Required Courses (9 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following | 3 | |
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Select 3 SCH from the following | 3 | |
| Professional Internship for Exercise and Sports Nutrition (Not for DI students) | ||
| Sports Nutrition Practicum (taken 3 times or taken 2 times in addition to NFS 5813) | ||
| Group III - Additional Coursework (12 hours) | ||
| Coursework to be selected from additional courses from the Departments of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Health Studies, Kinesiology or coursework transferred from another institution (up to 9 hrs) with approval of the student’s advisory committee. | 12 | |
| Aging and Health | ||
| Population Health | ||
| Hormonal Responses during Exercise | ||
| Graded Exercise Testing | ||
| Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders | ||
| Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism | ||
| Nutrition and Gerontology | ||
| Nutrition and Women's Health | ||
| Nutrition Education | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Nutrition in Pregnancy and Infancy | ||
| Advanced Preventive Nutrition | ||
| Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pediatrics | ||
| Nutrition for Collegiate and Professional Sports | ||
| Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements | ||
| Pathophysiology and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome | ||
| Note: A maximum of 12 credit hours for internship experience, practicum, independent study, or cooperative education is permitted in this option. Research hours are not permitted. | ||
| Group IV – Thesis (6 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| NFS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
Thesis Defense
Students selecting the thesis option will complete a final oral examination that should not exceed two hours and may not be taken more than twice.
Coursework-only (39 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Group I - Required Core Courses (15 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| NFS 5633 | Capstone Lecture (with a 'C' grade or higher.) | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | ||
| Statistics for Family Sciences | ||
| Applied Statistics in Health Promotion | ||
| Methods of Research | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Group II - Additional Required Courses (9 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Select 3 SCH from the following with approval from faculty advisor: | 3 | |
| Professional Internship for Exercise and Sports Nutrition | ||
| Sports Nutrition Practicum (taken 3 times or taken 2 times in addition to NFS 5813) | ||
| Internship Experience in Nutritional Care (may replace one practicum hour NFS 5681 requirements for DI students with approval of Dietetic Internship Director AND Sports Nutrition Practicum Coordinator) | ||
| Group III - Additional Coursework (15 SCH) | ||
| Coursework to be selected from additional courses from the Departments of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Health Studies, Kinesiology or coursework transferred from another institution (up to 9 SCH) with approval of the student’s advisory committee | 15 | |
| Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders | ||
| Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism | ||
| Nutrition and Gerontology | ||
| Nutrition and Women's Health | ||
| Nutrition Education | ||
| Advanced Preventive Nutrition | ||
| Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pediatrics | ||
| Nutrition for Collegiate and Professional Sports | ||
| Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements | ||
| Pathophysiology and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome | ||
| Aging and Health | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Population Health | ||
| Hormonal Responses during Exercise | ||
| Graded Exercise Testing | ||
| Total SCHs | 39 | |
Note: A maximum of 12 credit hours for internship experience, practicum, independent study, or cooperative education is permitted in this option. Research hours are not permitted.
Final Examination
Students in the M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition Coursework-Only Option must complete NFS 5663 during their final semester for degree completion.
Minor
A minimum of 9 graduate SCH in an area of emphasis can be achieved within the total number of program semester credit hours or by taking additional coursework. If a minor is declared, a faculty member in that minor area of study must serve on the academic committee.
