The Master of Science in Human Nutrition is a 30 credit-hour program designed to prepare nutrition professionals to practice nutrition and dietetics at an advanced level and/or pursue doctoral study. The program develops research skills, stimulates independent thought, and provides up-to-date knowledge in food and nutrition.
MS IN HUMAN NUTRITION
The Master of Science in Human Nutrition is a 30 credit-hour (10 course) program offered both on campus and online. There are three course options available: Generalist, Community, or Clinical. The program is designed for registered dietitians, dietetic interns, students with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, or students from another discipline who successfully complete the listed prerequisites. For more information, contact Dr. Tiffany Hylton tmhylton@ches.ua.edu.
ACCELERATED MASTER’S PROGRAM
An accelerated master’s program (AMP) can help first time undergraduate students get a jump start on their master’s degree. With this program, undergraduate students enrolled in the Food and Nutrition bachelor’s degree program at The University of Alabama may count up to 12 credit hours toward both their undergraduate and master’s degrees. In addition to completing the required prerequisite courses listed below, students must also have an institutional (UA) grade point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher and 90+ credit hours must be completed or in progress to be eligible to apply. Students typically apply for AMP in their junior year and start taking graduate courses in their senior year. For more information, talk with your undergraduate advisor and/or contact Dr. Tiffany Hylton tmhylton@ches.ua.edu.
COORDINATED PROGRAM IN DIETETICS
The Graduate Coordinated Program combines the theory presented in class with experience in health care settings under the supervision of faculty or other health professionals. More information about the program may be found here. Note, application to the Graduate Coordinated program is a separate process from applying to the MS in Human Nutrition. For more information, contact Mrs. Greene lgreene@ches.ua.edu.
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP AFFILIATIONS
The MS in Human Nutrition program is partnered with Dietetic Internship programs to provide interns an opportunity to earn graduate credit while enrolled in the Dietetic Internship. The program is creatively designed to provide foundation knowledge prior to rotations and coordinate coursework with internship requirements. A list of the Dietetic Internships, including contact information and a brief description of each program may be found here. Note, application to each Dietetic Internship is a separate process from applying to the MS in Human Nutrition. For more information, contact Dr. Tiffany Hylton tmhylton@ches.ua.edu.
MINIMUM APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
- Your application may also be considered if you have a 3.0 or higher in your last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
- Completion of required prerequisites
- If you earned a bachelor’s degree from a nutrition program accredited by ACEND and received your verification statement, then you are eligible to apply.
- If you earned a bachelor’s degree from a program that was not accredited by ACEND, then the prerequisites courses (listed below) must be completed or in progress at the time of application.
- The GRE is not required.
Prerequisite list
| UA Equivalent | Course | Credit Hours |
| CH 104 | Introductory Chemistry + Lab | 4 |
| CH 105 | Introductory Organic Chemistry + Lab | 4 |
| BSC 215 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I + Lab | 4 |
| BSC 216 | Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 + Lab | 4 |
| NHM 101 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| NHM 201 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| NHM 295 | Intro to Research in Nutrition | 1 |
| NHM 340 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NHM 361 | Nutritional Biochemistry | 3 |
| NHM 363 | Applied Nutrition | 3 |
| NHM 365 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| 35 credit hours | ||
PROGRAM CURRICULUM
| Clinical Concentration | Community Concentration | Generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Research Core | Research Core | Research Core |
| NHM 509: Research Methods | NHM 509: Research Methods in Nutrition | NHM 509: Research Methods in Nutrition |
| POPH 522: Biostatistics | POPH 522: Biostatistics | POPH 522: Biostatistics |
| NHM 625: Epidemiology | ||
| Required Nutrition Core | Required Nutrition Core | Required Nutrition Core |
| NHM 572: Metabolism of Energy Nutrients | NHM 550: Community Nutrition I | NHM 572: Metabolism of Energy Nutrients |
| NHM 573: Advanced Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism | NHM 551: Community Nutrition Il | NHM 573: Advanced Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism |
| NHM 558: Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease OR NHM 585: Clinical Nutrition Management | NHM 557: Childhood Obesity OR NHM 558: Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease | NHM 555: Maternal and Infant Nutrition OR NHM 567: Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill OR NHM 530: Advanced Nutrition Counseling |
| NHM 567: Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill | NHM 555: Maternal and Infant Nutrition | NHM 597, 598 or 599: Capstone Experience |
| NHM 568: Nutrition for the Older Adult | NHM 556: Child and Adolescent Nutrition | |
| NHM 597, 598 or 599: Capstone Experience | NHM 597, 598 or 599: Capstone Experience | |
| Electives | Electives | Electives |
| 2 electives | 1 electives | 4 electives |
ELECTIVES
Electives must be approved by the student′s academic advisor. Examples of 3-hour courses the student may choose include:
- NHM 566 – Advanced Clinical Nutrition
- NHM 585 – Clinical Nutrition Management
- NHM 587 – Integrated Food Systems Management
- NHM 625 – Nutritional Epidemiology
- CSM 525 – Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
- CSM 537 – Developing the Leader Within
- HHE 586 – Environmental Health Promotion
- HHE 587 – Health Disparities
- NUR 510 – Basic Concepts of Teaching Diabetes Self-Management Techniques
HOW TO APPLY
To apply to the MS in Human Nutrition:
- Complete the online application, and include the following.
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
- You will find the specific information to include in the UA Graduate School’s Program Directory.
- Transcripts
- You must upload a legible transcript or mark sheet for each college/university attended (including community colleges) at which you earned at least 15 semester hours of coursework.
- Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable for the application. Official copies will be required upon acceptance.
- The University of Alabama transcripts do not need to be uploaded.
- 3 letters of recommendation
- At least 2 should come from academic sources (ex: professors, instructors, program directors, etc..).
- Language scores for non-native English speakers
- Select your entry term
- Choose your concentration
- You may select either the clinical or community concentration.
- If you do not select a concentration, you will default to the generalist track.
- See the program’s curriculum above to help guide your selection.
- Apply by the following deadlines.
- Fall admission = July 1
- Spring admission = December 1
- Summer admission = April 15
- Pay the nonrefundable application fee.
- Review the Graduate School’s admission requirements and materials.
DISTANCE EDUCATION
The master’s degree is available 100% through distance education. The degree requirements and course content are the same regardless of how it is completed on campus or through distance education.
CURRENT STUDENTS
Reference the Nutrition Graduate Program Handbook for program guidance and expectations.
Current students should follow us on Facebook for program updates and registration deadlines.
CONTACT US
For more information, contact Dr. Tiffany Hylton tmhylton@ches.ua.edu.