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MASTER OF SCIENCE Community Nutrition

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements for admission include 1) bachelor’s degree; 2) minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0; and 3) minimum scores of 350 verbal and 350 quantitative on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) OR a minimum score of 400 on the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) and a TOEFL minimum score of 580 (237 computerized) for all international students for Option 1 and Option 2.

Prerequisites — Applicants who have completed an undergraduate major in a discipline other than dietetics will be required to remediate designated deficiencies in undergraduate education. These requirements may be met while enrolled in the master’s program. NFA201 and NFA317 or department approval are required for students applying to Option 1. Students applying to Option 2 must have a Verification Form from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).

To apply:
Submit the following directly to the Graduate Program Coordinator for Option 2 ONLY:
• Verification Statement from an accredited American Dietetics Association didactic program no later than August 1 for Fall Admission and December 30 for Spring Admission.

Send all other application materials directly to the Graduate School office:

• Graduate School application and fee;
• Official transcripts;
• GRE or MAT scores; TOEFL score.
• Statement of personal and professional objectives (1 1/2 to 2 pages)
• Interest in applying for a Graduate Assistant position

Application Deadlines
All materials must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than:

• Fall admission: May 1
• Spring admission: October 15

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The components of the program include a program of required courses for each option and applied experiences in community nutrition. Students may enroll in one of two options:

Option 1 requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit, including NFA 835. Option 1 leads to a Master’s Degree in Community Nutrition.

Option 2 requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit, including NFA 830 and NFA 831. Option 2 leads to a Master’s Degree in Community Nutrition and completion of an accredited Dietetic Internship. Students completing Option 2 are eligible to sit for the national Registration Examination for Dietitians to become a Registered Dietitian (RD).

The Dietetic Internship (DI) at EKU is a competitive, pre­select program. Students in Option 2 may apply to the Dietetic Internship after successful completion of 12 hours of course work, and pending successful completion of 24 hours of graduate course work in the M.S. Community Nutrition program. Specific application requirements and materials can be obtained from the Director of the Dietetic Internship program. Application to the DI does not guarantee admission. Students desiring to enroll in Option 2 are encouraged to review application requirements for the DI before beginning graduate study.
A student who is enrolled in Option 2 but is not accepted to the DI program, can (1) reapply to the DI in another year or (2) change to Option 1 and complete the Master’s Degree.

 EXIT REQUIREMENTS
Written Comprehensive Examination — After completion of all required courses with a grade of B or better, students are required to pass a written examination that assesses knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the program coursework. The items on this exam integrate content from all areas of study.  The exam is offered one to two times per year. Faculty from the Nutrition and Food Administration Program evaluate the responses on a pass/fail basis. Students that fail a question or the entire exam are required to meet with faculty to develop a remediation plan. Students are limited to one additional attempt to retake the question missed, or the entire exam.

 Final Oral Comprehensive Examination  --  After students complete the Dietetic Internship (NFA 831-832) or the Community Nutrition Practicum (NFA 835), they are required to complete a project as part of their internship or practicum coursework.  The project requires a student to synthesize, integrate and apply advanced knowledge and skills acquired during the program. Students present an overview of the project to faculty and students. The project and presentation are evaluated according to the goals and objectives of the Community Nutrition Program.

 

Questions about the Community Nutrition Program: Dr. Claire Schmelzer

Dietetic Internship Information

 

(Updated 6/09)

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