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. Both the School of Health Promotion & Kinesiology and the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences are responsible for the majority of didactic hours. 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.
This 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: 34 semester credit hours (SCH
Coursework-Only Option: 40 semester credit hours (SCH)
Students who have completed an International Olympic Committee certification can have up to 12 of their graduate semester credit hours transferred into the M.S. 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 M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition with advisor approval.
Required Courses for All Options
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 - Required Courses | ||
| NFS 5314 | Nutrition and Human Metabolism | 4 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| KINS 5033 | Applied Statistical Principles (will also accept HS 5703, HDFS 5193, or MATH 5573) | 3 |
| Group II - Additional Required Courses | ||
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5553 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KINS 5613 | Cardiovascular Response to Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5683 | Exercise Evaluation and Prescription | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following | 3 | |
| (Students with the RDN credential or intending to become RDN-certified must complete NFS 5681 three times. Non-RDN students must complete NFS 5133.) | ||
| Sports Nutrition Practicum (taken 3 times or taken 2 times in addition to NFS 5813) | ||
| Professional Internship for Exercise and Sports Nutrition | ||
| Total SCHs | 25 | |
Thesis (34 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| NFS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| NFS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| KINS 5023 | Methods of Research | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 9 | |
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 (40 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Electives - Graduate courses from any discipline (with approval of advisor) | 13 | |
| NFS 5332 | Capstone Seminar (with a 'C' grade or higher) | 2 |
| Total SCHs | 15 | |
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.
