Master of Science in Nutrition (Dietetics)

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

This M.S. in 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 M.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) along with the dietetic internship 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. Apply nutrition knowledge to optimize specific health benefits.
  2. ​Appropriately interpret nutrition research to support evidence-based practice.
  3. Communicate nutrition information in written and verbal form for both professional and general audiences.
  4. ​Effectively contribute to a healthcare team.

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: 30 semester credit hours (SCH)

Coursework-Only Option: 36 semester credit hours (SCH)

Thesis Option (30 SCH)

Required Courses
NFS 5213Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients3
NFS 5223Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients3
NFS 5363Human Nutrition in Disease3
NFS 5813Internship Experience in Nutritional Care (Taken 4 times.)12
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences
Statistics for Family Sciences
Applied Statistics in Health Promotion
Applied Statistical Principles
Statistical Methods I
6000 level courses offered in Nutrition with approval of advisory committee and permission of the instructor
Thesis
NFS 5983Thesis3
NFS 5993Thesis3
Total SCHs30

Coursework-Only Option (36 SCH)

Required Courses
NFS 5213Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients3
NFS 5223Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients3
NFS 5363Human Nutrition in Disease3
NFS 5633Capstone Lecture3
NFS 5813Internship Experience in Nutritional Care (Taken 4 times.)12
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences
Statistics for Family Sciences
Applied Statistics in Health Promotion
Applied Statistical Principles
Statistical Methods I
Additional Courses in Major
Select 9 SCH from the following:9
Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders
Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism
Functional Foods
Professional Practicum
Advanced Nutritional Care
Nutrition and Gerontology
Nutrition and Women's Health
Nutrition Education
Advanced Preventive Nutrition
Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pediatrics
Nutrition in Pregnancy and Infancy
Nutrition and Exercise
Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements
Pathophysiology and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Food Safety/Foodborne Illness
Advanced Nutritional Epidemiology
Special Topics
Special Topics
Total SCHs36

Final Examination

Students in the MS in Nutrition (Dietetics) Coursework-Only Option must complete NFS 5633 during their final semester (or within the last 9 credit hours) for degree completion.

Minor

A minimum of 9 graduate semester credit hours in an area of emphasis can be achieved within the total number of program 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.