Program of Study for the Master of Science in Nutrition

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GRE exam scores, unless waived; and a written statement addressing prior experience and career goals.

Priority will be given to applicants with related volunteer, life, or employment experiences.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission.

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GRE) requirement may be waived for applicants who submit a satisfactory written statement addressing prior experience and career goals.

Additional Admission Information

Additional Admission Requirements: A verification statement or intent to complete form signed by the director of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND); additional courses (up to 15 hours maximum) may be required if so indicated by the student’s deficiencies as determined by the program director.

For admission to the Graduate Program in Nutrition - Dietetics Concentration a successful match for the Dietetic Internship is required. Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission.

Prerequisites: A student entering the program with curricular deficiencies may be required to complete more than the minimum number of hours for completion of the program. See the program director for more information.

Registered Dietitian Eligible Status: Requirements for the completion of the Dietetic Internship (NUT 5250, NUT 5255, and NUT 5900) are designed, and have been approved to meet the competencies as mandated by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Location: On Campus; Note: Second year students will intern at sites across North Carolina.

Additional Information about Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility

Any standardized exam waiver for a graduate degree program at Appalachian State requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in their last earned degree (undergraduate or graduate; some programs have established higher GPA requirements). No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the Graduate School upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. Standardized test scores may be required for scholarship consideration.

Course Requirements for the Master of Science in Nutrition

Concentration Requirements (30 Hours)

• NUT 5120 - Professional Development (3)
• NUT 5205 - Maternal and Child Nutrition (3)
• NUT 5210 - Nutrition for Older Adults (3)
• NUT 5220 - Advanced Concepts in Nutrition and Assessment (3)
• NUT 5250 - Dietetic Practice I (3)
• NUT 5255 - Dietetic Practice II (3)
• NUT 5900 - Internship (3-12) (12 Hours)

Thesis Option (3 Hours)

Choose One

Note on Academic Standards For Retention in the Nutrition - Dietetics Concentration, MS

Academic standards for retention in the MS/DI Program include abiding by the ASU Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethics, the Dietetics Program Competencies, and the following standards: 1) Professionalism; 2) Collaboration; 3) Honesty/Integrity; 4) Respect; 5) Reverence for Learning; 6) Emotional Maturity; 7) Flexibility; 8) Communication Skills; and 9) Cultural Competence. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the program. The standards are fully described in the Graduate Student Handbook: https://nutrition.appstate.edu/academics/master-science-nutrition-and-dietetic-internship.

Other Requirements for the MS in Nutrition

• Thesis: Optional for Dietetics Concentration, Not required for Public Health Nutrition Concentration
• Proficiency: Not required
• Candidacy: Required.
  • Dietetics Concentration: Admission to candidacy requires successful academic performance and a positive assessment of professional conduct during the first year and second years.
  • Public Health Nutrition Concentration: Admission to candidacy requires successful academic performance during first year of program. Additionally, satisfactory evaluation of professional conduct is required during capstone project. 
  • See the academic standards for retention in the program in the department Graduate Nutrition Handbook for further information. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the program.
• Comprehensive: Required for Dietetics Concentration - A comprehensive examination is administered at the end of the second year. Additionally, a poster of completed research must be presented at the end of the second year at one off-campus and one on campus venue and an oral defense of the thesis is required when selecting the thesis option. Not required for the Public Health Nutrition Concentration.
• Product of Learning: Capstone project required for Public Health Nutrition Concentration. Not required for Dietetics Concentration.