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."
- 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)
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)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5813 | Internship Experience in Nutritional Care (Taken 4 times.) | 12 |
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5553 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| or NFS 5163 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | |
| NFS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| NFS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| 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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| NFS 5633 | Capstone Lecture | 3 |
| NFS 5813 | Internship Experience in Nutritional Care (Taken 4 times.) | 12 |
| KINS 5553 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| 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 SCHs | 39 | |
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.
