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: Additional courses (up to 6 hours or as determined by program director including Introductory Nutrition and Medical Terminology) may be required if so indicated by the student’s deficiencies.

Admissions are rolling, and applicants may enter the program at the start of any academic term.

The Dietetic Internship option is only available to students who have completed an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics and hold a Verification Statement of program completion.

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.

Location: Online.

Additional Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility Information

Standardized exam (GRE, GMAT, MAT) waiver eligibility for graduate degree programs at Appalachian State varies by program, but requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in their last earned bachelor’s degree or 3.3 or higher in an earned graduate degree. No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the program and 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.  More complete information about standardized exam waivers can be found in the Admissions Requirements section of this Bulletin .

Accelerated Master’s Program

This program offers an Accelerated Master’s  option for undergraduate students currently enrolled at Appalachian State University.

Course Requirements for the Master of Science in Nutrition

Concentration (33 Hours)

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

Academic standards for retention in the MS/PHN Program include abiding by the ASU Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, 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/graduate-programs-public-health-nutrition.

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.