MS in Nutrition

In as little as 12 months and less than $15,000, you can earn your master's degree and be ready for the next step in your career. With 100% online options in Denton and Houston.

Program features

Female TWU dietitian talks to a male patient who has food options on table in front of him.
  • Degree completion in as little as 1 year, or 30 credit hours*
  • High quality, affordable education and career preparation
  • Thesis, coursework-only and 100% online options
  • Denton campus program holds a 100% pass rate on the national RDN exam
  • Houston campus program holds a 100% pass rate on the national RDN exam
  • Electives that merge the science of nutrition with a broader view of wellness, community and the environment
  • Small classes with accessible, knowledgeable and supportive faculty, including flavor scientists and an emulsion chemist
  • Scholarship recipients receive in-state tuition
  • Courses take place on TWU's Denton campus and Houston campus

*Individual requirements may vary.

The MS in Nutrition along with the dietetic internship prepares graduates to take the national Registration Examination for Dietitians and apply for a license to practice through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians. Licensing of dietitians in Texas is voluntary. If you are a resident of another state, contact our department to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to apply for licensure in your home state.

View a full list of courses

Why Nutrition at TWU?

Dietetic internship opportunities

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.

Home to the only school nutrition internship program in Texas

Texas Woman's Nutrition and Food Sciences offers the only School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Internship program in the state. The program is also one of only three approved by the School Nutrition Association nationwide.

This highly selective program prepares you to assess the nutritional needs of diverse populations, especially school-aged children at risk or of limited income. Currently, our students have a 100 percent job placement rate after completing the SNS Internship.

Available on TWU's Denton and Houston campuses.

Learn more about the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Internship.

Explore thesis, coursework-only and 100% online options

  • 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
  • The 100% online option mirrors the coursework-only option but allows you to complete your degree at your own pace

Learn more about program requirements for each option below.

Research opportunities

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. 

Career opportunities

Career opportunities for graduates include:

  • Research and development in the food industry
  • Academia
  • Writing and publishing
  • Nutrition consultancy
  • Marketing for nutrition companies

Salaries in these areas vary widely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a median annual income of $60,370 per year for dietitians and nutritionists with a much faster than the average growth rate.

Program requirements

Thesis Option

In this program option, you will complete a total of 30 semester credit hours broken down into:

  • 11 credit hours of required coursework
  • 10-12 credit hours of additional courses in major (may include six-nine credit hours in an internship experience, independent study or cooperative education)
  • Three-four credit hours of additional coursework
  • Six credit hours of thesis coursework

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

Coursework-only and 100% Online Options

In this program option, you will complete a total of 36 semester credit hours broken down into:

  • 12 credit hours of required coursework
  • 16 credit hours of additional courses in major
  • Nine additional courses (may include coursework from another department, or coursework transferred from another institution with approval)
  • A capstone seminar during your final semester

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

Admission requirements

Admission to the M.S. in Nutrition

Program Contact

Monique LeMieux, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
nutrfdsci@twu.edu
940-898-2636

Application Deadlines

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

Admission Requirements

  • Undergraduate semester credit hour prerequisites, including
    • Chemistry, including Organic and Biochemistry (9-12 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)
  • GRE is not required. 
  • Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 undergraduate semester credit hours and all post-baccalaureate and graduate 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.

How to Apply

  1. Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.

 

MS in Nutrition Graduate Student Handbook 2022-2023

NFS 5332 Application for MS Capstone Seminar if completed NFS 5314

For more information

Online program (coursework only)

Denton

K Shane Broughton, PhD
Chair
SRC 204
kbroughton@twu.edu
940-898-2636

Houston

Mindy Patterson, PhD, RDN
Associate Professor
Houston Center 7023
mpatterson14@twu.edu
713-794-2375

On campus program (thesis and coursework only)

Denton

K Shane Broughton, PhD
Chair
SRC 204
kbroughton@twu.edu
940-898-2636

Monique LeMieux, PhD
Associate Professor
SRC 204
mlemieux@twu.edu
940-898-2712

 

 

Houston

Derek Miketinas, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor
dmiketinas@twu.edu
713-794-2256

Apply today

Page last updated 9:39 AM, February 16, 2023 

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