Graduate Academic Programs

Master's Degree Programs

Master of Science in Applied Health Science Degree (MSAHS), Nutrition Science Major

Description of Program

Nutrition science integrates nutrition with biochemistry, behavior theory, and research methods, including dietary assessment, statistics, and presentations to prepare students for doctoral programs in nutrition, environmental health, or health behavior. Specialization courses can be selected from food chemistry, medical nutrition therapy, nutrigenomics, phytonutrients, nutrition for sports, to add depth and application to your program of study.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 36 graduate credit hours is required for the nutrition science program. A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. A minimum of 20 credits must be in the Department of Applied Health Science. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor.

Complete the following list of requirements to reach a total of 36 graduate credits:

Complete each of the following courses (21 cr.):

  • HPER-C 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 cr.)
  • HPER-C 611 Epidemiology (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 517 Research Presentations Nutrition Science (1 cr.) (S/F grade)
  • HPER-N 530 Advanced Nutrition I (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 532 Advanced Nutrition II (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 550 Dietary Assessment Techniques (2 cr.) (S/F grade)
  • HPER-T 590 Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology & Recreation (3 cr.)
  • HPER-T 592 Intermediate Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following courses (3 cr.):

  • CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
  • MCHE-C 580 Medical Biochemistry (3 cr.)

Complete two or three of the following courses for a minimum of six credits (6 cr.):

  • CHEM-C 485 Biosynthesis and Physiology (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 520 Food Chemistry (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 525 Food Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 531 Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 533 Medical Nutrition Therapy Application (2 cr.)
  • HPER-N 536 Community Nutrition (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 600 Nutrigenomics (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 601 Phytonutrients (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 620 Nutrition in Sports (3 cr.)
  • MCHE-C 583 Physiological Biochemistry (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following six-credit research options (6 cr.):

      Complete a master's thesis.
  • HPER-H 599 Masters Thesis (6 cr.)

          OR

      Complete the following six-credit combination of courses (6 cr.).
  • HPER-N 640 Research in Nutrition Science (3 cr.)
  • HPER-N 641 Readings in Nutrition Science (3 cr.) or HPER-N 539 Special Problems: Nutrition & Food Science (3 cr.)
Special Opportunities

Special opportunities include individualized research with faculty members, laboratory experiences, and volunteer opportunities in nutrition education.

Careers
The study of nutrition science lays a solid foundation for further study in doctoral programs, or professional schools that train doctors, dentists, physicians' assistants, and other professionals. Graduates with an M.S. in Nutrition Science can also work in related government agencies or food industry, health-related companies, or pharmaceutical sales. Graduates with an MS in Nutrition Science can do research in nutrition, food science, or health.

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