About This Program

Specialize in nutrition with Kent State's Master of Science in Nutrition. Our program offers you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of nutrition science and specialize in areas such as clinical nutrition, community nutrition or sports nutrition. Read more...

Contact Information

• Natalie Caine-Bish, Ph.D., RD, LD | ncaine@kent.edu | 330-672-2148

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The M.S. degree in Nutrition is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Dietetic Internship concentration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Upper level, undergraduate coursework in biochemistry, physiology and advanced nutrition
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement (required for Dietetic Internship concentration only)
• Dietetic internship application through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) with D & D Digital Computer Matching (required for Dietetic Internship concentration only)
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
NUTR 61015	NUTRITION PATHOPHYSIOLOGY	3
NUTR 61019	ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF NUTRITION RESEARCH	3
NUTR 63517	COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION: PROGRAMS, POLICY AND PRACTICE	3
NUTR 63519	ADVANCED STUDY OF MICRONUTRIENTS	3
NUTR 63520	MACRONUTRIENT NUTRITION	3
NUTR 63521	NUTRITION AND DISEASE: CLINICAL APPLICATIONS	3
NUTR 63522	COMMUNICATION, MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONALISM IN DIETETICS	3
Culminating Requirement
Choose from the following:		6
NUTR 63199	THESIS I 1
NUTR 63399	CAPSTONE
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:		3-11
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Dietetic Internship Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		30-38

¹

The thesis is intended for research-oriented students and is designed to provide the opportunity to conduct original research. Approval of a thesis proposal by the student's thesis committee is required as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the thesis committee. Students are required to register continuously for NUTR 63199 each semester for a total of 6 credit hours. Students who have completed the required 6 credit hours but has not finished the thesis is expected, thereafter, to register continuously for NUTR 63299 each semester until all degree requirements are met. Credit hours earned in NUTR 63299 do not count toward the degree.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
Additional Requirements (may be selected from other graduate courses in clearly related areas)		3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		3

Dietetic Internship Concentration Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
NUTR 62001	DIETETIC INTERNSHIP SEMINAR I	1
NUTR 62002	DIETETIC INTERNSHIP SEMINAR II	1
NUTR 62003	DIETETIC INTERNSHIP SEMINAR III	1
NUTR 63525	DIETETIC PRACTICE: COMMUNITY	1
NUTR 63526	DIETETIC PRACTICE: MANAGEMENT	1
NUTR 63527	DIETETIC PRACTICE: CLINICAL	1
NUTR 63592	DIETETIC INTERNSHIP 1	5
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		11

¹

All students in dietetic internships are required to obtain criminal background checks, including the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) for the State of Ohio and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) prior to beginning practice experiences, annually, until internship practice experiences are complete and additionally as required by facilities.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary

Minimum Major GPA	Minimum Overall GPA
-	3.000

• Students are required to successfully complete online modules that address the 12 public health competencies required by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This requirement may be waived if students provide documentation that the competencies were satisfied at a lower academic level.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Describe the physiological functions, metabolism, dietary requirements, deficiency symptoms, food sources and the metabolic utilization of macronutrients and micronutrients for physiological processes; and how they relate to nutrition, health promotion and disease prevention/treatment.
2. Contribute to the quality of life, well-being and wellness of individuals and families by utilizing their nutrition knowledge and participating in activities that promote nutritional well-being.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and apply knowledge gained by participation in research and/or outreach.

Full Description

The Master of Science degree in Nutrition emphasizes a strong nutritional sciences foundation through coursework and opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research in community settings. Graduates obtain positions as nutrition-exercise specialists; cooperative extension nutrition specialists; higher education instructors; research associates; and as nutritionists in health care and community agencies such as Head Start and Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

The Nutrition major includes the following optional concentration:

• The Dietetic Internship concentration provide students with the resources and experiences needed to develop the skills necessary to become competent Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). Emphasis is placed on intellectual, technological and professional development while fostering ethical and humanitarian values.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.