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."

  1. Integrate best nutrition practices to optimize exercise performance.
  2. ​​Effectively communicate exercise and nutrition principles in written and verbal communications.
  3. ​Interpret scientific literature in the field of exercise and sports nutrition.
  4. ​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)

Group I – Required Core Courses (9 SCH)
NFS 5213Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients3
NFS 5223Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients3
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 5583Nutrition and Exercise3
Select 3 SCH from the following3
Advanced Exercise Physiology
Advanced Exercise Physiology
Select 3 SCH from the following3
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 5983Thesis3
NFS 5993Thesis3
Total SCHs36
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)

Group I - Required Core Courses (15 SCH)
NFS 5213Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients3
NFS 5223Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients3
NFS 5363Human Nutrition in Disease3
NFS 5633Capstone 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 5583Nutrition and Exercise3
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 committee15
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 SCHs39

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.