Degree: Master of Science (MS)
Field of Study: Public Health Nutrition

Program Overview

The primary goal of this program is to prepare students for employment in public health or community agencies where you will work to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease and advance the nutritional health of our population. Coursework includes training in public health theory, program development and evaluation, nutritional epidemiology, human nutrition and life cycle specific nutritional needs and concerns. Note: students who have not previously earned an undergraduate degree in nutrition must complete an introductory nutrition course before beginning graduate coursework. Options will be provided for students to whom this applies.

In addition to the general public health nutrition curriculum, students may elect to complete a certificate in Maternal and Child Nutrition or Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals, which may require completion of additional coursework.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and apply current, evidence based guidelines and methods to assess and interpret individual- and community-level nutritional status to determine priority nutritional needs of target populations across the life course.
• Describe local, state, and federal governmental structures and the governmental processes involved in the development of public policy, legislation, regulations, and delivery of services that influence food systems, food intake, nutritional status, and population health.
• Clearly articulate the need for and the value of evidence based public health nutrition programs and promote evidence-based public health nutrition programs and services, physical activity, and policies at the individual and population levels.
• Apply concepts used in biostatistics including principles of data collection and management, basic statistical analysis and interpretation, and appropriate research methods used in public health nutrition and evaluation.
• Articulate the need for and the value of evidence based public health nutrition programs and promotes evidence-based public health nutrition programs and services, physical activity, and policies at the individual and population levels.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication of complex nutrition principles to professionals and the public.
• Locate, interpret, evaluate and use professional literature to make ethical, evidence-based practice decisions.

Graduate Policies

For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

The primary goal of this 16-month program is to prepare students for employment in public health or community agencies where you will work to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease and advance the nutritional health of our population. Coursework includes training in public health theory, program development and evaluation, nutritional epidemiology, human nutrition and life-cycle specific nutritional needs and concerns. A minimum of 30 credit hours of academic coursework is required to earn the degree.  Note: students who have not previously earned an undergraduate degree in nutrition must complete NTRN 401 before beginning this program.

In addition to the general public health nutrition curriculum, students may elect to complete a certificate in Maternal and Child Nutrition. Specialty certificates may require completion of additional coursework. 

Dietetic Internship Program

The primary goal of this program is to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for employment in public health or community agencies. A minimum of 31 credit hours of combined academic work and supervised practice is required to earn the degree. Supervised practice is concurrent with coursework utilizing local agencies for translation of theory and science into practice. The program includes a ten-twelve week experience in an out of town public health agency that has a strong nutrition program.

In addition to the public health nutrition curriculum, students may elect to complete a certificate in Maternal and Child Nutrition. Specialty certificates may require completion of additional coursework. If a certificate program is selected, supervised practice will be geared toward the specific population group.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This program is a non-thesis program of study.

Sample Plan of Study

Dietetic Internship Program

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Chosen from any NTRN elective at the 400 level or higher, excluding NTRN 401.