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.
Department faculty have a wide range of research interests related to nutrition and health and use of diverse methodological approaches. These interests include the metabolism, function and requirements of specific nutrients throughout the life cycle, nutrients and phytochemicals in health and disease, nutritional assessment and intervention, maternal and infant nutrition, nutrition education, nutrition and aging, nutrition and physical performance, interaction of nutrients on genes and regulation of the growth and development of bone and adipose tissue. Faculty and students conduct basic research (work with small laboratory animals and/or cultures of animal and human cells) or applied research (work with human subjects in clinical or community based studies) to achieve research objectives.
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.
Application Process
Applications for admission must be submitted on-line by the following dates: February 1 for assistantship consideration for fall semester admission, July 1 for fall semester admission without assistantship consideration, and October 1 for spring semester admission. The following are required for evaluation by the Graduate School: a completed on-line application form and payment of the application fee; three letters of recommendation; a letter of intent that includes whether the applicant is applying for the M.S. (thesis-option) or M.S. (non-thesis option), indicates the applicant's professional goals, and indicates the applicant's general area of research interest (for M.S. thesis option) (indicate applied research or basic research, or no preference); official transcripts of all previous college course work; and the Verbal and Quantitative scores and Analytical Writing Score on the Graduate Record Examination (taken within 5 years of application). Foreign students are required to submit TOEFL scores and detailed NACES (course-by-course) evaluations of transcripts. All application materials must be sent to the Graduate School. Once complete, application materials are then forwarded to the Department of Nutrition for review. Questions regarding application status should be directed to the Graduate School.Apply online, at the following url: http://www.uncg.edu/grs/applyonline.html.
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, 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. Graduate students awarded tuition waver(s) must be enrolled for 9 credit hours or more per semester. 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 (7 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 (20 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).