MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition

• In the thesis option, you will complete a thesis with an oral defense and take less semester credit hours.
• The coursework-only option allows you to take more semester credit hours in replacement of completing a thesis and oral defense.

Learn more about program requirements for each option below.

With advisor approval, you can earn your IOC certification while enrolled in the MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition program.

The IOC certification option requires 30 semester credit hours.

Already have your IOC certification?

If you already have your IOC certification, you can transfer up to 12 graduate semester credit hours into an MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition degree.

Texas Woman's Nutrition and Food Sciences offers this highly competitive year-long internship focusing on medical nutrition therapy for students in the MS in Nutrition and MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition programs. The program affiliates with more than 50 prestigious internship sites in the Denton/DFW Metroplex and greater Houston area.

The dietetic internship/master's program prepares you to become an RDN ONLY if you already have a nutrition-related bachelor’s degree. If you do not have a nutrition-related bachelor's degree and want to be an RDN, we recommended completing our BS in Nutrition (Dietetics) program first before pursuing the dietetic internship/master's program.

Available on TWU's Denton and Houston campuses.

Learn more about the Dietetic Internship Master’s Degree Program Guide.

At TWU, you have the opportunity to participate in research with faculty in any of the on-campus laboratories. Research possibilities include:

• Examining the effect of berries on bone health and prevention of osteoporosis
• Evaluating the impact of various protein sources on exercise recovery
• Diabetes control
• Influence on parameters involved in the regulation of ovulation
• The effect of dietary fats on neurological behavior and neuroinflammation

Community nutrition options include the development of community education programs and evaluation and design or outreach opportunities. 

In this program option, you will complete a total of 34 semester credit hours broken down into:

• 28 credit hours of required coursework
• Six credit hours of thesis coursework
• Complete a final oral examination (thesis defense)

A full list of courses and requirements are available in the course catalog.

In this program option, you will complete a total of 43 semester credit hours broken down into:

• 28 credit hours of required coursework
• 13 credit hours of electives
• Two credit hours of a capstone seminar

A full list of courses and requirements are available in the course catalog.

When you apply to the TWU Graduate School, we will evaluate your academic achievement and preparation, as well as your standardized test scores if required. All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admissions to the TWU Graduate School. In addition, most graduate programs have additional admission requirements that must be completed. These requirements can be found on each graduate program website. After acceptance, you will need to begin your program within one year, unless a deferral has been approved by the program.

Check out the links below for specific admissions information:

• How to Apply
• General Requirements for Admission to the Graduate School
• Residency for Tuition Purposes
• International Students
• Election of Graduate Work by Students Who Are Not Seeking Degrees

Program Contact

K. Shane Broughton
940-898-2637
kbroughton@twu.edu

Monique LeMieux
940-898-2712
mlemieux@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall — June 15
Spring — October 1
Summer — April 1

* Our department has rolling admission for all of our graduate programs, however, to ensure a proper start time, we recommend having your application completed by the dates listed above.

Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate semester credit hour prerequisites, including
  • Exercise Physiology and Advanced Physiology (6-8 hours)
  • Exercise Testing and Prescription (3-4 hours)
  • Biochemistry (3-4 hours)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (3-4 hours)
  • Introduction to Nutrition (3 hours)
  • Upper-level Nutrition, Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients and Nutrition through the Lifecycle (6-9 hours)
• A baccalaureate degree in kinesiology, nutrition, or its equivalent.
• Preferred minimum GRE score of 153 verbal and 140 quantitative; GMAT 330 total or verbal score of 21 and quantitative score or 17; or MCAT total score of 500-507 (125-126 critical analysis/reading; biological and biochemical foundations of living systems: 125-126
• Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 undergraduate semester credit hours.
• Applicants who meet the above criteria with exception of GPA may qualify for provisional admission if they have at least a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) on the last 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. If the applicant has previously earned graduate credits from TWU or another regionally accredited graduate program, the first 12 credit hours completed will be considered in lieu of the last 60 undergraduate hours.
• Applicants who meet all other requirements but lack up to 9 semester credit hours of prerequisite undergraduate courses may be admitted provisionally to this program. They will complete all 9 semester credit hours during the first two semesters of graduate work.

How to Apply

1. Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
2. Take the GRE General Test and submit your GRE scores to TWU (or alternate test identified above.)
3. Collect and submit the following documents as separate PDF files in ONE email to NFSGradAdvising@twu.edu with the subject line (YOUR FULL NAME)-M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition. Please attach all the items as PDFs.
   • A 1-2 page statement of intent providing evidence of work and volunteer experience related to the intended field of study and goals.
   • Two letters of recommendation.