Master of Science in Nutrition

The Master of Science degree in Nutrition is uniquely designed to allow you the ability to customize your course of study, depending on your own nutrition interest. This is made possible with 13-15 hours of elective coursework, where you can take electives in Culinary Medicine, Human Nutrition and Performance, Nutrition Education and Counseling, and much more. The graduate program will provide you with in-depth knowledge about human nutrition, enabling you to apply evidence-based nutritional interventions to promote health and prevent disease. You can also gain experience in research with opportunities at the local, national and international level.

 

Why a Master's in Nutrition?

The Nutrition M.S. program empowers you to become a leader in nutrition. Here you will gain the credential needed for a career in research, wellness, food service management, public health nutrition, or other fascinating roles. This program will complement careers in nursing, community health education, kinesiology, culinary arts, and more. If you want to help people improve their health through food and do not have a relevant undergraduate degree in nutrition, you should consider earning a master’s degree in nutrition.

You can also complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics while in the M.S. Nutrition program, which is the first step in preparing you for a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). To learn more about this exciting opportunity, go to the UIW Didactic Program in Dietetics

 

Mission Statement

The Mission of the University of the Incarnate Word Nutrition Program is to prepare professionals committed to providing nutrition and dietetic services to improve the health and well-being of individuals and groups. The program emphasizes the importance of scientific and evidence-based practice, ethical decision-making and the understanding of social justice issues, including the regional and global ecological dimensions of food and nutrition.

The Graduate Nutrition Program engages students in learning, research and discovery, and service to address human needs by promoting nutrition for well-being across the lifespan of individuals, families and communities while embracing evidence and ethical-values-based decision-making.

  • The M.S. program is designed for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree from a college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
  • International students and applicants with an undergraduate cumulative GPA less than 3.2 must take the GRE. Minimum scores required are 143 in Verbal Reasoning, 141 in Quantitative Reasoning, and 3.0 in Analytical Writing.
  • Students must satisfy the necessary prerequisites for the M.S. program in Nutrition. These prerequisites may be completed during the program, however this may extend time to completion.
    • Prerequisites include:
      • Anatomy & Physiology (4 hours)
      • Biochemistry* (3 hours)

*Note that to take biochemistry, you must have successfully completed general and organic chemistry. If you have taken an Introductory Chemistry course, you can take CHEM 1320 Biological Chemistry for Health Professions in the Fall semester in the M.S. Nutrition Program and NUTR 3370 Nutritional Biochemistry in the Spring semester.

This option is if you are interested in becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) but you have not completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). You should first contact the DPD Director to see which classes you need to fulfill DPD requirements. Some graduate courses count towards the DPD. The DPD is completed separately of the M.S. degree.  

For further information about the UIW Didactic Program in Dietetics, go to https://www.uiw.edu/smse/academics/undergraduate/nutrition/didactic-program.html 

UIW’s DPD program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, and (312) 899-0040, Extension 5400.  

Requirements To Receive the Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement

To be eligible to receive the Verification Statement indicating completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics. Completion of the M.S. in nutrition degree is NOT a requirement for receipt of the AND DPD Verification Statement.