Master of Science in Nutrition
Website: https://twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences/graduate-programs/ms-in-nutrition/
You can tailor our M.S. in Nutrition to meet your professional needs. If you are working full-time, want to advance your career, and complete your degree at your own pace, choose our online master’s option. The 36 semester credit hours (SCH) of coursework for this degree mirrors that offered in the classroom.
If you have a nutrition-related Bachelor’s degree and want to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), select the Dietetic Internship/Master's program. Or, if you are an RDN looking for an advanced degree that will better position you for academia or management, pick the Master’s offered on our Denton and Houston campuses with either a coursework (36 SCH) or thesis (30 SCH) option. If you want to become an RDN and do not have a nutrition-related Bachelor's degree, consider the B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics) program or post-baccalaureate.
The M.S. in Nutrition, along with the dietetic internship, prepares graduates to take the national Registration Examination for Dietitians and apply for a license to practice through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians. Licensing of dietitians in Texas is voluntary. If you are a resident of another state, contact our department to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to apply for licensure in your home state.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Apply nutrition knowledge to optimize specific health benefits.
- Appropriately interpret nutrition research to support evidence-based practice.
- Communicate nutrition information in written and verbal form for both professional and general audiences.
- 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)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| NFS 5331 | Seminar in Nutrition | 1 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | ||
| Statistics for Family Sciences | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Required Thesis Courses | ||
| NFS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| NFS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| Nutrition Electives* | ||
| Select a minimum of 11 SCH from the following: | 11 | |
| Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders | ||
| Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism | ||
| Functional Foods | ||
| Advanced Nutritional Care | ||
| Nutrition and Gerontology | ||
| Nutrition and Women's Health | ||
| Nutrition Education | ||
| Advanced Preventive Nutrition | ||
| Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pediatrics | ||
| Nutrition for Collegiate and Professional Sports | ||
| Nutrition in Pregnancy and Infancy | ||
| Nutrition and Exercise | ||
| Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements | ||
| Pathophysiology and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome | ||
| Human Resource Management in Nutritional Care Systems | ||
| Advanced Nutritional Epidemiology | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
6000 level courses offered in Nutrition with approval of advisory committee and permission of the instructor. | ||
| *Coursework to be selected from additional courses above, other NFS program areas, coursework from another department, or coursework transferred from another institution with approval of advisory committee (up to 6 credits). Research hours (NFS 5961, NFS 5963) are permitted. | ||
| A minor of 9 graduate 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. | ||
| Note: A maximum of 6 credit hours in practicum, independent study, or cooperative education is permitted in this option. | ||
| Total SCHs | 30 | |
Coursework-Only Option (36 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| NFS 5633 | Capstone Lecture (Students take this seminar course during their final semester of formal coursework for degree completion. Students must submit the Application for NFS MS Capstone Seminar form on the next page for approval to take the Capstone Seminar. Students cannot receive credit for both NFS 5331 and NFS 5332.) | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | ||
| Statistics for Family Sciences | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Applied Statistics in Health Promotion | ||
| Nutrition Electives* | ||
| Select 21 SCH from the following: | 21 | |
| Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders | ||
| Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism | ||
| Functional Foods | ||
| 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 | ||
| Drug and Nutrient Interactions | ||
| **Coursework to be selected from additional courses above, other NFS program areas, coursework from another department, or coursework transferred from another graduate institution with approval of advisory committee (up to 6 credits). | ||
| Note: A maximum of 6 credit hours in practicum, independent study, or cooperative education is permitted in this option. Research hours are not permitted. | ||
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
Final Examination
Students in the MS in Nutrition Coursework-Only Option must complete NFS 5633 during their final semester 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.
