Master of Science in Human Nutrition
The Master of Science in Human Nutrition program at Arizona State
University's Polytechnic campus is based on the scientific foundations
of nutrition, but also prepares students with strong writing skills,
computer literacy, interpretive expertise, problem-solving skills and
research experiences. The MS degree requires the completion of a
minimum of 30 semester hours and a thesis.
The
primary objective of the graduate program in Human Nutrition is to provide
advanced training in nutrition research. Graduate
students are expected to develop competencies in research methods and in
advanced practice knowledge relevant to their area of study. The skills and
knowledge acquired during the course of training should enable each student to
develop professional competencies that can be applied to significant problems
and issues within the field of nutrition/dietetics.
Graduate students who are currently in good academic
standing in the MS program in Human Nutrition at ASU may elect to apply
to the ASU Dietetic Internship once
they have completed at least 6 graduate credits from the ASU Department
of Nutrition. Students who have previously completed the MS
degree in Human Nutrition from ASU and meet all other admission
requirements may also apply to the ASU Dietetic Internship.
Admission into the Dietetic Internship is limited to current ASU
nutrition MS students, however, typically all MS students who are
eligible for a dietetic internship (Didactic Program in Dietetics
courses have been completed) are admitted into the ASU Dietetic
Internship during their second year of the MS program. A maximum
of eight MS students may begin the ASU DI program each year.
NOTE: Students must complete a separate application
for acceptance into the Dietetic Internship (DI) program at ASU's
Polytechnic campus. Students may not apply to the DI program until they
have been admitted into the Master of Science in Human Nutrition degree
program and have successfully completed at least six semester hours of
graduate nutrition coursework. Visit the Dietetic Internship program page for more information.
Click on each topic for more information.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for admission into the M.S. in Human Nutrition program at Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus:
- General Nutrition for majors (such as NTR 241 at ASU)
- Microbiology with Lab (such as MIC 205 and 206 at ASU)
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Labs (such as BIO 201 and 202 at ASU)
- General Chemistry I and II with Labs (such as CHM 113 and 116 at ASU)
- Organic Chemistry with Lab (1 semester only is required, such as CHM 231 and 235
lab at ASU)
- Biochemistry (1 semester only is required, such as BCH 361 and 367 lab at ASU)
- Statistics (any statistics course)
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Curriculum
The program of study must contain a minimum of 30 semester hours of
approved graduate-level work, and a thesis is required. For examples of
past thesis topics, see the Sample Thesis Titles page.
Required Courses (21-24 semester hours)
- Research Methods, NTR 500 and NTR 501 (6 semester hours)
- Statistics (3-6 semester hours): 1-2 statistics courses, to be selected based on advisor consultation
and approval (Suggested courses: EXW 501; EDP 552, 554; STP 530, 531, 532, 533; PSY 529, 530)
- Seminars* in Foods and Nutrition (6 semester hours): such as NTR 521, 523, 525,
527, 529, or 598
- Thesis (6 semester hours)
*Seminars reflect the changing nature of research and cover different subject areas each semester. Recent seminars include
Global Nutrition, Vegetarianism, Public Health, Immunology, Pediatric Nutrition,
Energy Balance and Weight Management, and Sports Nutrition.
Electives (To meet minimum semester hours)
Select remaining courses from the following classes:
- NTR 540 - Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism
- NTR 541 - Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism
- NTR 542 - Advanced Food Product Development
- NTR 544 - Therapeutic Nutrition
- NTR 545 - Recent Developments in Industrial Feeding
- NTR 546 - Assessment Techniques in Nutrition
- NTR 548 - Nutrition Program Development
- NTR 550 - Advanced Maternal and Child Nutrition
- NTR 580 - Practicum (Note: Six semester hours total are
required to be registered for during the Dietetic Internship; however,
only three semester hours can be applied toward the 30 required for the
M.S. degree)
- 1-2 courses from outside the department, based on advisor approval
For an example of a possible course of study, see the Sample Curriculum Schedule page.
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Steps for Admission to the Master of Science in Human Nutrition program
Prospective students must apply to both the Arizona State
University Graduate College and the Department of Nutrition for
admission to the M.S. degree program. For additional graduate program
information, please consult the Department of Nutrition Graduate Handbook - updated September, 2008 (download here).
- Submit all required ASU Graduate College application materials cited
at
http://www.asu.edu/graduate/admissions/index.html. This includes the
Graduate Application, which can be completed on-line, GRE scores, and
official transcripts from any college or university from which you have
received a degree or taken a Nutrition M.S. prerequisite.
- In addition to materials submitted to the ASU Graduate College, the following information must be submitted directly to the Department of Nutrition:
- Three letters of recommendation, including at least
one from an instructor at the applicant's undergraduate school, with
the Recommendation Form Cover Sheet (in the Graduate Handbook) attached
to each letter.
- A resume that summarizes the academic, volunteer, and employment
experiences of the applicant.
- The completed Supplementary Information Form (this form can be found in Appendix A of the Department of Nutrition Graduate Handbook)
- If the applicant wishes to apply for a Graduate
Teaching or Research Assistantship, complete the form found in Appendix
E of the Nutrition Graduate Handbook. Visit the Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships page for more information.
Send all departmental-requested information by February 1st to:
Linda Sampsel - Graduate Committee
Department of Nutrition
Arizona State University
6950 E. Williams Field Rd
Mesa, AZ 85212
(480) 727-1728
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Application Calendar for Master of Science in Human Nutrition
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Action
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When
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Review admission materials from the Arizona
State University Graduate College and the Graduate Handbook from the
Department of Nutrition
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As early as possible
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Take GRE and have scores sent to Arizona
State University Graduate College
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Sufficiently ahead of time so official results are received by February 1*
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Complete application for admission to the ASU Graduate College online at
http://www.asu.edu/graduate/admissions/index.html
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Must be received by ASU Graduate College on or before Feb. 1*
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Request three letters of recommendation be sent to the Nutrition Department
(please use a cover sheet provided in Appendix A with each letter.)
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Must be received by the ASU Department of
Nutrition on or before February 1*
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Resume or curriculum vita (Note: your resume
is also included as part of your online application to the Graduate College.)
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Must be received by the ASU Department of
Nutrition on or before February 1*
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Complete and submit the Supplemental Information Form
in Appendix A of the Nutrition Graduate Handbook. (Note:
your personal statement should be submitted both to the Department of
Nutrition and with your online application to the ASU Graduate College)
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Must be received by the ASU Department of
Nutrition on or before February 1*
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Complete and submit application for Teaching
or Research Assistantship, if desired.
(Appendix E of Nutrition Graduate Handbook)
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Must be received by the ASU Department of
Nutrition on or before February 1*
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Notifications of Acceptance
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Action
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When
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Notification of acceptance from the Arizona
State University Graduate College and the Department of Nutrition
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Early April
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Notification of financial assistance from the
ASU Graduate College and the Department of Nutrition
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Early May
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*If February 1st falls on a weekend, then the deadline will be the first business day (typically Monday) after February 1.
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