MS Program (Public Health Nutrition)

Course Requirements
To complete the MS with a concentration in Public Health Nutrition, students may choose the thesis or non-thesis option. All students complete concurrent and block field experiences, with the block field experience occurring during a summer session. The block field experience includes an analytical field paper for non-thesis students and seminar presentation for thesis and non-thesis students.  Additionally, attendance at Nutrition Seminar (NTR 540) is required.

Thesis option
The thesis option consists of a minimum of 47 hours with at least 29 hours of course work in the department.  The thesis is expected to generate a manuscript to be submitted to an empirical journal for publication as well as a presentation at a state or national professional association meeting.

Required courses include:
NTR 511 Advances in Carbohydrate, Lipid and Protein Metabolism (4 credits)
NTR 512 Advances in Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism (3 credits)
NTR 513 Community Nutrition I (3 credits)
NTR 514 Community Nutrition II (3 credits)
NTR 515 Field Study in Community Nutrition (9 credits)
NTR 541 Research Methods (3 credits)
NTR 509 Graduate Seminar in Public Health (1 credit)
PH 520 Public Health Policy and Administration (3 credits)
PH 530 Biostatistics (3 credits)
PH 540 Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
Lifecycle nutrition course (3 credits)
Social/behavioral sciences and education (any department) (3 credits)

All thesis students must take a minimum of six hours of Thesis (NTR 500). A minimum of 41 hours (not including thesis) at the 500 or 600 level are required. An oral comprehensive examination is required upon completion of the thesis.

Non-thesis option
The non-thesis option for Public Health Nutrition students consists of a minimum of 42 hours with at least 27 hours of coursework in the department. Required courses include those listed for the thesis option with the omission of NTR 541 (Research Methods) and NTR 500 (Thesis). In addition students complete an additional 3 credits in social/behavioral sciences and education (any department) and NTR 515 is taken for 1 additional credit (10 credits total).  A minimum of 42 hours at the 500 and 600 levels is required. A written comprehensive examination and a written analytical field paper that incorporates public health nutrition are required for completion of the program.