Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (Dietetics)

Website: https://twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences/masters-dietetic-internship-msdi-programs/

The Master's of Science (MS) in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (Dietetics) program is administered through the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences on both the Denton and Houston campuses. In the MS 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.

This MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (Dietetics) is tailored specifically to those students currently enrolled in the TWU Dietetic Internship or any other Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Dietetic Internship. Students completing the Thesis option will be required to complete original research alongside a faculty advisor. Students completing the Coursework option are required to complete Capstone Seminar. Students who successfully complete both the MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (Dietetics) and the dietetic internship prepares graduates may take the national registration examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).

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)

Students who have completed an International Olympic Committee certification can have up to 12 of their graduate SCH transferred into the MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition with committee approval. Students without an International Olympic Committee certification may enroll in TWU courses necessary to complete an International Olympic Committee certification while enrolled in the MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition with advisor approval.

Thesis (36 SCH)

NFS 5213Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients3
NFS 5223Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients3
NFS 5813Internship Experience in Nutritional Care (Taken 4 times.)12
NFS 5583Nutrition and Exercise3
KINS 5553Advanced Exercise Physiology3
or NFS 5163 Advanced Exercise Physiology
NFS 5983Thesis3
NFS 5993Thesis3
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences
Methods of Research
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Professional Internship for Exercise and Sports Nutrition
Sports Nutrition Practicum (Taken 3 times.)
Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences
Statistics for Family Sciences
Applied Statistics in Health Promotion
Methods of Research
Applied Statistical Principles
Statistical Methods I
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)

NFS 5213Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients3
NFS 5223Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients3
NFS 5363Human Nutrition in Disease3
NFS 5583Nutrition and Exercise3
NFS 5633Capstone Lecture3
NFS 5813Internship Experience in Nutritional Care (Taken 4 times.)12
KINS 5553Advanced Exercise Physiology3
or NFS 5163 Advanced Exercise Physiology
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Professional Internship for Exercise and Sports Nutrition
Sports Nutrition Practicum (Taken 3 times.)
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
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
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

Final Examination

Students in the M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (Dietetics) Coursework-Only Option must complete NFS 5332 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.