Nutrition, M.S.

Students pursuing a Master of Science in Nutrition at UNC Greensboro can choose from three different options: thesis (37 hours); M.S./DI combined (38 hours) or non-thesis (40 hours).

The M.S. thesis involves training in research skills and it is designed to prepare students for teaching, research, administrative, and consulting positions or for progression to a Ph.D. degree program.

The M.S./DI program combines the M.S. degree with the Dietetic Internship Post-baccalaureate certificate Program.  Students complete a plan of study that includes M.S. courses in year 1 and DI courses in year two.

The M.S. non-thesis track is designed to prepare students for consulting, administrative, and practitioner positions in nutrition.  The registered dietitian (R.D.) credential must be obtained for a career in dietetics.  Successful completion of didactic coursework qualifies you to apply for our Post-baccalaureate certificate (P.B.C.-DI) supervised practice program.  Following completion of supervised practice and a Master’s degree, students will take a national registration exam to earn the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential.

Program Distinctions

• Department faculty have a wide range of research interests from cellular to population level, related to nutrition and health involving use of diverse methodological approaches. 
• Faculty and students conduct basic research (work with cell cultures) or applied research (work with human subjects in clinical or community based studies) to complete thesis research.
• The Nutrition Department’s laboratories are state of the art. The research laboratories contain modern equipment for the study of cellular and molecular nutrition, nutritional and clinical biochemistry, physical fitness and body composition, and dietary intake.
• Many of our students receive national awards for their research, including the Emerging Leader in Nutrition Science and Obesity Research Interest Section Award in the American Society of Nutrition (ASN) Poster Competition; Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) Foundation Scholarship;  and multiple HHS Scholarships.
• For the past several years, UNCG dietetic interns have received grant funding to attend the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE).

The Student Experience

• The program is research-based, which allows students to work alongside faculty members, clinicians and community partners inside and outside of the classroom.
• Students may become involved in the Nutrition Graduate Student Association or the UNCG Graduate Student Association.
• Students present at many professional conferences and invited presentations.
• Experiences in contemporary subjects such as Sports Nutrition, Culinary Medicine, etc.

After Graduation

• Post-graduate career paths include the following:
  • Clinical Dietitian
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Extension Nutrition Specialist
  • Food Production Manager
  • Nutritional Scientist
  • Physician/Physician Assistant

Apply to Program

• GRE IS WAIVED.
• Applications for admission to M.S./M.S.N. must be submitted on-line by the following dates:
  • February 1 for assistantship consideration for fall semester admission,
  • May 1 for fall semester admission without assistantship consideration, and
  • November 15 for spring semester admission.
• Applications for admission to the M.S./DI program must be submitted on-line by February 15th for the following fall semester admission.  UNCG participates in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) application system and applicants should consult the DICAS website to confirm dates and deadlines for the computer matching process.
• The DI program at UNCG also has a preselection process (PDF) for current UNCG DPD students and UNCG Graduate Students.

The following are required for evaluation by the Graduate School:

1. A completed on-line application form and payment of the application fee;
2. Three letters of recommendation;
3. A letter of intent that includes whether the applicant is applying for the M.S. (thesis-option); M.S./DI combined or M.S. (non-thesis option), indicates the applicant’s professional goals, and indicates the applicant’s general area of research interest (for M.S. thesis option) (indicate applied research or basic research, or no preference);
4. And official transcripts of all previous college course work.

FOREIGN STUDENTS

Additionally, foreign students are required to

1. Submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and
2. Detailed NACES (course-by-course) evaluations of transcripts.

All application materials must be sent to the Graduate School. Once complete, application materials are then forwarded to the Department of Nutrition for review. Questions regarding application status should be directed to the Graduate School.

All students entering the masters and doctoral degree programs must have background-supporting courses in:

• General and Organic Chemistry
• General Biology
• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Basic Nutrition

At UNCG these course numbers are: CHE 103, CHE 104, CHE 110L, CHE 205, CHE 206, NTR 531, BIO 111, BIO 277, NTR 213 (see Transfer Credits)