Department of Nutrition
Master's Programs in Nutrition
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For additional information, see The Graduate School Bulletin
Print Version (pdf)The Department of Nutrition offers a graduate program of study leading to a Master of Science degree. This degree offers two options: a thesis option (37 hours minimum) and a non-thesis option (40 hours minimum).
The Master's degree is offered with specialization in Human Nutrition and emphasis in applied Nutrition Science or Basic Nutrition Science. The M.S. (thesis-option) is a research-based degree program designed to prepare students for teaching, research, administrative, and consulting positions or for progression to a Ph.D. degree program.
The M.S. non-thesis option is designed to prepare students for consulting, administrative, and practitioner positions in nutrition. A comprehensive examination must be passed. The registered dietitian (R.D.) credential must be obtained for a career in dietetics.
Admission
Applicants submit a complete Graduate School application, official transcripts of all college-level
courses, GRE scores, three reference letters and application fee to: The Graduate School, 241 Mossman
Building. A letter stating professional goals and research interests is submitted to the Department
of Nutrition, 318 Stone Building. Prior to acceptance, MS thesis option students must identify a potential
research advisor. MS non-thesis option students are advised by the Nutrition Graduate Committee.
All students entering the masters and doctoral degree programs must have background-supporting courses in
general and organic chemistry, general biology, biochemistry, and human physiology. At UNCG these
course numbers are: CHE 103, CHE 104, CHE 110L, CHE 205, CHE 206, CHE 405 (or NTR 531), BIO 111,
BIO 277.
(see
http://www.uncg.edu/reg/TransferCredits/CommCollege/ccindex.html)
Financial Support
Many full-time graduate students are supported by research assistantships. The MS standard stipends for
the 9-month academic year are approximately $9,500 for 1st year master's students. These assistantships
require 20 hours of service per week. Also, some assistantships are available during the summer. Merit-based and minority-presence fellowships and scholarships are available during the academic year. Many
out-of-state students may receive either a waiver of the out-of-state portion of the tuition, or additional
support to compensate for a portion of these costs. All graduate students must pay in-state tuition per
semester for full-time enrollment (9 or more credit hours) unless awarded an in-state tuition waiver. University
fees must be paid by all students each semester and are not covered by tuition waivers.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE (THESIS OPTION) (37 hours minimum)
At least 26 hours must be in 600-level courses. The minimum requirements include:Required Core (15 hours minimum)
NTR 609 Seminar in Nutrition (4)
NTR 625 Gene Expression and Protein Metabolism (2)
NTR 626 Energy, Carbohydrate, Lipid Metabolism (2)
NTR 627 Antioxidants and Bioactive Food Components (2)
NTR 628 Vitamins and Minerals (2)
AND Statistics (3 credits) e.g. STA 571-Statistical Methods for Research I (3), OR
STA 661 Advanced Statistics in the Behavioral and Biological Sciences I (3), or other (see Graduate Bulletin)
Research Techniques (9 hours minimum)
NTR 673 Nutrition Research Methodology (3)
AND at least 6 hours in one or more of the following research courses:
NTR 601 Directed Study in Nutrition
NTR 623 Current Trends in Nutrition
NTR 653 Problems in Food and Nutrition
NTR 670 Research Skill Development
Electives (6 hours minimum)
With approval of the Graduate Advisory Committee, a student will select one 3-hour
course from other NTR courses at the 500- or 600-level and 3-4 additional hours
in either NTR or other science courses at the 500- or 600-level.
Thesis (6 hours)
NTR 699 Thesis (6) (Capstone Experience)NON-THESIS OPTION (40 hours minimum)
At least 26 hours must be in 600-level courses. The minimum requirements include:Required Core (14 hours minimum)
NTR 609 Seminar in Nutrition (3)
NTR 625 Gene Expression and Protein Metabolism (2)
NTR 626 Energy, Carbohydrate, Lipid Metabolism (2)
NTR 627 Antioxidants and Bioactive Food Components (2)
NTR 628 Vitamins and Minerals (2)
AND Statistics (3 credits) e.g. STA 571-Statistical Methods for Research I (3), OR
STA 661 Advanced Statistics in the Behavioral and Biological Sciences I (3), or other (see Graduate Bulletin)
Research Techniques (6 hours minimum)
NTR 673 Nutrition Research Methodology (3)
AND at least 3 hours in one or more of the following research courses:
NTR 601 Directed Study in Nutrition
NTR 623 Current Trends in Nutrition
NTR 653 Problems in Food and Nutrition
NTR 670 Research Skill Development
Electives (19 hours minimum)
The student will select at least 19 hours from other 500- or 600-level courses in
NTR, other science courses, HEA, or CED, as approved by the student’s advisory committee.
For those students who are completing the Dietetic Internship requirements
as part of their graduate program of study, 15 elective hours will come from the DI course requirements:
NTR 602 Introduction to Clinical Dietetics (3)
NTR 693 Advanced Medical Dietetics (3)
Nine elective hours will be designated from the Supervised Practice component requirement:
NTR 606a Practicum in Clinical Dietetics: Management (3)
NTR 606b Practicum in Clinical Dietetics: Clinical (3)
NTR 606c Practicum in Clinical Dietetics: Community (3)
Successful completion of these courses is required for the student to be eligible to take The American Dietetic Association’s national examination to become a registered dietition (R.D.).
Comprehensive Examination (Capstone Experience)
The written examination is offered at least once a year.
Please consult with the Director of Graduate Study for the dates.
Students interested in becoming ELIGIBLE to apply for the UNCG post-BS Dietetic Internship Certificate must complete additional dietetics coursework (see courses required for graduate students to meet the educational competencies of the American Dietetic Association) (pdf).