Degree: Master of Science (MS)
Field of Study: Nutrition
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Nutrition can be completed in one to two years depending on course load; an undergraduate degree in nutrition in not necessary. The program may be completed full- or part-time, and offers flexibility in designing a course of study based on academic and career goals.
Didactic Program in Dietetics
Students interested in applying to dietetic internships must meet specific course requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics) as required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These requirements are met in the courses that comprise the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). A department advisor should be consulted in the first year to plan the dietetics coursework.
The DPD at Case Western Reserve University is currently granted Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800.877.1600.
Graduate Policies
For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
This degree program offers two options. For those pursuing the thesis option, 30 semester hours of a planned program of study are required, including six to nine semester hours of research, as well as a final oral defense of the thesis. The non-thesis option requires 30 semester hours and a final written, comprehensive examination.
All candidates are required to take 21 semester hours of nutrition, including seven hours of advanced human nutrition. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue complementary studies in the biomedical, social and behavioral sciences. The plan of study may vary considerably depending on the education, goals and specific interests of each student. Students may elect to focus on nutritional biochemistry and metabolism or molecular nutrition. The individual program also may be planned to fulfill the academic requirements for dietetic registration (Didactic Program in Dietetics). Students must obtain advisor approval for elective courses selected that will be used to satisfy graduation requirements.
Required Coursework
- 30 graduate credit hours are required including seven credit hours from two required nutrition courses:
- At least 21 total credits from elective nutrition courses, and the remaining credits chosen from electives. For this reason, there is no one standardized curriculum for the MS in nutrition.
Prerequisite Courses
To be considered for a master's degree in nutrition, applicants must have completed the following courses prior to matriculation:
-
General Chemistry
-
Organic Chemistry
-
Biology
-
Anatomy and Physiology*
-
Statistics*
-
Biochemistry*
*These courses may be taken concurrently to the MS Nutrition coursework, but will not count toward the degree.
Combined Dietetic Internship/Master’s Degree Program
The Combined Dietetic Internship/Master’s Degree Program combines academic work with clinical practice at a dietetic internship at University Hospitals Case Medical Center or the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A minimum of 30 semester hours is required. Admission is contingent on the student being selected and matched to one of the hospitals' dietetic internship programs. Appointment to these internships follows the admission procedure outlined by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Coursework is planned individually with the student's academic advisor. This program is a non-thesis program of study.
