Master of Science Degree Program

Degree Options

The M.S. program offers both a thesis and non-thesis option, which also includes a DPD option.

All courses offered for a graduate degree, including prerequisites, must be taken for a letter grade.

Acceptance of students into the M.S. program is based on having completed a B.S. or B.A. degree. A student entering the M.S. program may transfer up-to six (6) course credits toward the requirements for the M.S. degree. The courses must be clearly graduate courses taken within 3 years from the time of admission and taken in excess of the credits required for the Bachelor's degree or any other degree earned by the student prior to enrollment in the M.S. program and with a grade of B or higher.

Thesis Option (33 credits)

The thesis option is designed for students who are interested in pursuing research or an advanced degree. Candidates who elect the M.S. thesis option must meet the requirements for a thesis including pursuit of original research. A copy of the thesis must be in the Department Main Office for review by the faculty 10 business days before the scheduled thesis defense. Students who have accepted a Departmental research assistantship must fulfill their obligations for research work and are expected to submit a thesis as a partial requirement for a Master's degree.

All M.S. thesis candidates must satisfactorily pass a Departmental oral examination as part of the degree requirements as described in the University of Massachusetts Graduate School Handbook. The oral examination is the final thesis defense (presentation of research to the Department). A student may be allowed a second chance to pass any portion of the M.S. exit exam. Two failures are grounds for dismissal from the program.

Non-Thesis Options (33 credits, MS) (44 credits for MS/DPD)

The non-thesis option is designed for students who are not interested in pursuing research. Instead, students take additional courses, including a graduate seminar in which they identify a topic, review the literature and present a synthesis of their findings.

The non-thesis DPD option is designed for students who are not interested in pursuing research but wish to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). Such students will complete coursework as well as additional dietetics classes required by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All graduate DPD students will earn their Verification Statement through the undergraduate DPD program.

Course Requirements (Thesis and Non-Thesis MS)

These requirements do not apply to the MS/DPD non-thesis program

Basic Science Core - Prerequisites

At least 5 out of these 7 courses must be taken before matriculation, one of which must be Basic Nutrition or a closely related course. Two can be taken while enrolled in the M.S., but not for graduate credit. For the MS/DPD students, 6 of the basic core classes must be taken before matriculation, including general chemistry (2 semesters), organic chemistry, human anatomy & physiology, basic nutrition, and one other.

Introductory Zoology or Biology (1 semester)
Human Physiology (1 semester)
General Chemistry (2 semesters/with labs)
Organic Chemistry (1 semester)
Biochemistry (1 semester)
Microbiology (1 semester)
Basic Nutrition (1 semester)

Nutrition Core - Prerequisites

These courses must be taken by those who do not have a B.S. degree in nutrition.

NUTRITN 352 Nutrition in the Life Cycle
NUTRITN 430 Nutrition and Metabolism

Advanced Core (21 credits) - Graduate Level

These courses must be taken by all enrolled in the M.S. program.

NUTRITN 630 Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition: Macronutrients
NUTRITN 640 Public Health Nutrition
NUTRITN 714 Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition: Micronutrients
NUTRITN 741 Methods in Nutrition Research
NUTRITN 793/794 Seminar (2 semesters, 1 credit/semester)
SPHHS 615 Epidemiology and Biostatics, Part A: Description, Estimation and Exposures
SPHHS 616 Epidemiology and Biostatics, Part B: Evidence, Threats and Action
SPHHS 600 Great Challenges in Public Health and Health Sciences I

Electives/Courses Outside of Major (3-6 credits)

Thesis
One 3-credit Nutrition course (500-level or above)

Non-Thesis
Two Nutrition courses (500-level or above)
Two additional courses with at least one from outside the Department

Culminating Experience

Thesis (9 credits)
NUTRITN 699 - M.S. Thesis

MS Non-Thesis/DPD

Basic Science Core - Prerequisites

At least six (6) of these courses (or equivalent) must be taken before matriculation. Basic Nutrition and Anatomy & Physiology (or equivalent) must be among the six. The remainder must be taken while enrolled in the M.S., but not for graduate credits.

Human Anatomy and Physiology (1 semester)
General Chemistry (2 semesters/with labs)
Organic Chemistry (1 semester)
Biochemistry (1 semester)
Microbiology (1 semester)
Basic Nutrition (1 semester)
Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology

Nutrition Core - Prerequisites

These courses must be taken by those who do not have a B.S. degree in nutrition. These may be taken while enrolled in the M.S., but not for graduate credit.

NUTRITN 352 Nutrition in the Life Cycle
NUTRITN 430 Nutrition and Metabolism

Take one of the following:

NUTRITN 210 Scientific Food Principles and Meal Planning
or FOODSCI 150 The Science of Food
or FOODSCI 160 The Nature of Food

Business Requirements (9 credits)

MGT 301 Principles of Management
HTM 250 Food Service Management or HTM 350 Food Service Management
MGT 314 Human Resource Management or HTM 260 Human Resource Management in Hospitality Industry

Advanced Core (21 credits) - Graduate Level

These courses must be taken by all enrolled in the M.S. program.

NUTRITN 630 Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition: Macronutrients
NUTRITN 640 Public Health Nutrition
NUTRITN 714 Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition: Micronutrients
NUTRITN 741 Methods in Nutrition Research
NUTRITN 793/794A Seminar (2 semesters, 1 credit/semester)
SPHHS 615 Epidemiology and Biostatics, Part A: Description, Estimation and Exposures
SPHHS 616 Epidemiology and Biostatics Part B: Evidence, Threats and Action
SPHHS 600 Great Challenges in Public Health and Health Sciences II

Other Graduate Nutrition Courses (15 credits)

NUTRITN 572 Community Nutrition (Required for MS/DPD)
NUTRITN 577 Nutritional Problems in the US (Required for MS/DPD)
NUTRITN 578 International Nutrition
NUTRITN 585 Pract Skills Nutr Counseling (Required for MS/DPD)
NUTRITN 580 Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 cr) (Required for MS/DPD)
NUTRITN 590K Medical Nutrition Therapy II and the Nutrition Care Process (3 Cr) (Required for MS/DPD)
NUTRITN 561 Nutrition and Cancer Prevention
NUTRITN 562 Nutrition and Food Policy
NUTRITN 575 Culture and Health
NUTRITN 730 Molecular Signaling in Nutrition