Curriculum

Integrated Academic and Practice Model

The GPND is a 16-month, full-time program that integrates graduate coursework with supervised experiential learning (SEL) to promote progressive competency development aligned with ACEND 2022 Standards. Students are concurrently enrolled in didactic coursework and SEL across all four semesters of the program.

Competency-Based Curriculum Transparency

The TWU–Houston GPND uses a competency-based curriculum aligned with the ACEND 2022 FEM/GP Standards. Students are informed of where competencies and performance indicators are introduced, reinforced, and assessed through course syllabi, the Supervised Experiential Learning Rotation Manual, and the program’s Curriculum Map.

A summary of where competencies are taught and assessed across the curriculum is available in the program’s Curriculum Map and Competency Assessment Table.

Competency attainment is documented through the program’s competency tracking system and verified prior to issuance of the Verification Statement. All students must demonstrate achievement of required ACEND competencies prior to issuance of the Verification Statement.

Program Structure Overview

Program begins in the Fall semester with a 6-week structured orientation, including two weeks prior to the university academic calendar
Rotations begin following completion of orientation
Mondays reserved for coursework and on-campus activities
SEL rotations completed Tuesday–Friday across all four semesters
No scheduled break in rotations between Spring, Summer, and Fall II
Major holidays follow the TWU Academic Calendar (Thanksgiving, winter break, and Spring break)
Individual holidays follow assigned rotation site calendars
Due to the geographic distribution of affiliated healthcare and community partners, students must maintain reliable personal transportation, a valid driver’s license, and current automobile insurance throughout the program.

Instructional Modality & Technology Requirements

Courses are delivered in in-person, hybrid, and online formats through the Canvas learning management system. Students must have access to a personal computer and reliable internet service. On-campus computer labs and technology support services are available to assist students as needed.

Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL)

Students complete a minimum of 1,010 hours of supervised experiential learning (SEL) across diverse settings designed to progressively develop entry-level competence.

Core Practice Areas

Medical nutrition therapy (inpatient, outpatient, renal)
Food systems and foodservice management
Community and public health nutrition
Elective experience in emerging and specialty areas of practice

Graduate Degree Options

Detailed degree requirements and course sequencing are available in the TWU Graduate Catalog. Students complete one of the following:

Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition -- 36 semester credit hours
Master of Science (MS) in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (ESN) -- 39 semester credit hours

Each degree pathway includes either a coursework option culminating in a capstone seminar systematic literature review or a thesis option that includes original research and an oral defense. Thesis completion may extend the overall timeline depending on the research topic and progression.

Competency-Development and Assessment Progression

The GPND curriculum integrates didactic coursework and supervised experiential learning across four semesters to support progressive demonstration of required ACEND competencies.

SEL Content Areas and Sites

Rotations are scheduled by the Program Director at affiliated facilities within approximately 60 miles of the TWU–Houston campus. Affiliation agreements are formalized between the university and each site. Site availability may vary annually. Limited virtual or remote activities may occur within certain rotations; however, remote experiences comprise less than 25% of total supervised practice hours and less than 50% of any major rotation (clinical, community, or foodservice management).

Content Areas
- Orientation
- Clinical (inpatient, outpatient, renal)
- Foodservice Management
- Community
- Elective
Major Affiliated Practice Sites
- Clinical and Hospital Systems
  - Baylor St. Luke’s (multiple locations)
  - DaVita Dialysis centers
  - Fresenius Kidney Care
  - Harris Health System (Ben Taub, LBJ, outpatient clinics)
  - HCA Gulf Coast (multiple campuses)
  - Houston Family Nutrition
  - Houston Methodist
  - Legacy Clinics (multiple locations)
  - MD Anderson Cancer Center
  - Memorial Hermann Health System (multiple campuses)
  - St. Joseph Medical Center
  - Suvida (multiple locations)
  - Texas Children’s Hospital
  - UT Physicians Texas Medical Center
  - School Foodservice
  - Aldine ISD
  - Alief ISD
  - Clear Creek ISD
  - Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
  - Dickinson ISD
  - Fort Bend Independent School District
  - Galena Park ISD
  - Goose Creek ISD
  - Houston ISD
  - Katy ISD
  - Klein ISD
  - Lamar Consolidated ISD
  - Pasadena ISD
  - Spring ISD
- Community & Public Health
  - Houston Food Bank
  - Harris County Public Health-WIC
  - Menninger Clinic (“The Gathering Place”)
  - Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
- Elective Rotation Practice Areas
  - Eating Disorders (Eating Recovery Center)
  - Pediatrics (Texas Children’s Hospital and Memorial Hermann TMC)
  - Oncology (MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann TMC)
  - Metabolics (Texas Children’s Hospital, UT Physicians TMC)
  - Burn, Transplant, Neuro, Cardiovascular, Surgical Intensive Care (Memorial Hermann TMC)
  - Bariatrics (Memorial Hermann Memorial City)
  - Sports (ESN Students only--Memorial Hermann Rockets Sports Medicine Institute)
  - Project Management (Memorial Hermann Health System/Morrison Healthcare)
  - Nutrition Communications (Valerie DL)
  - Private Practice (Houston Family Nutrition)
  - Community Garden/Culinary Nutrition (UT School of Public Health)
  - Research (NASA)
- International Experiential Learning Opportunity (Optional)
  - Location: Barbados (dependent on site availability)
  - Students may have the opportunity to participate in an optional international supervised experiential learning experience designed to expand understanding of global nutrition and public health practice. The experience typically provides approximately 96–128 supervised experiential learning hours and may occur during community or elective rotation periods.
  - Participation is optional and dependent on site availability and student readiness. Students who do not participate complete comparable supervised experiential learning experiences within the United States to ensure achievement of required ACEND competencies.
  - The majority of supervised experiential learning hours in the program are completed within the United States in accordance with ACEND guidance for international placements.
  - International experiential learning placements are supervised by qualified preceptors in collaboration with the Program Director, and student competency attainment is evaluated using the same assessment methods used for domestic supervised experiential learning experiences.
  - Additional details regarding eligibility, policies, and expectations are provided in the Supervised Experiential Learning Rotation Manual.

Page last updated 1:58 PM, July 31, 2026