Nutrition, M.S.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• apply knowledge of nutritional biochemistry/physiology, and understand clinical and epidemiological applications of this knowledge in the prevention and treatment/management of disease.
• link nutrition with other biological or behavioral sciences (e.g., toxicology, molecular biology, epidemiology, human development) through interdisciplinary learning. This will be accomplished through elective course work and completion of research/scholarly efforts that culminate in a written document (i.e., thesis or professional paper).
• articulate a nutrition-related problem through oral and written communication in the development of their written thesis or professional paper.
• use quantitative reasoning during nutrition assessment to identify and prioritize nutrition-related problems in research and practice settings.
• analyze nutrition-relevant disease conditions that will be shown through their dietetic internship or research experience.

Contact Information

Bradley Ferguson, PhD, Graduate Program Director
bferguson@unr.edu
(775) 784-6278

Mailing Address:
Department of Nutrition, Mail Stop 303
1664 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557

David St-Jules, PhD, Graduate Program Co-Director
stjules@unr.edu
(775) 682-6635

Mailing Address:
Department of Nutrition, Mail Stop 202
1664 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557

Departmental Website:
https://www.unr.edu/anvs

Graduate Handbook *

Admission Requirements

Applicants who seek admission to the program should have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 and have completed the undergraduate courses (or equivalent courses, as determined by the Graduate Program Director) listed in the undergraduate prerequisite section below.  For the Dietetic Specialization only, the applicant must have earned DPD Verification Statement or provide a Declaration of Intent from their DPD Director.

Applicants are admitted to the program on a competitive basis. All prospective students should apply online to the Graduate School.  Those interested in the Dietetics Specialization must also submit an application to the UNR Dietetic Internship Program through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS).

Note that a complete application includes:

• Statement of purpose that addresses the following questions (in 1,000 words or less):
  • Why do you want to gain admission to the Nutrition Graduate Program and why is this program a good fit for you?
  • What experiences (e.g., academic, co-curricular, employment) have helped you prepare for this program?
  • What are your short and long-term academic and professional goals?
  • What are your strengths and areas for improvement?
• Resume or CV
• TOEFL results if applicable
• Official transcripts from every institution attended
• Three letters of reference

Applicants should submit these documents by February 15th for Fall admission (no Spring admission).  UNR alumni and current students who have (or will have) earned a DPD Verification statement by May 31st, are eligible to apply for preselection for the Nutrition Graduate Program Dietetics Specialization.  For these applicants, documents should be submitted by January 10th.    

I. Program Requirements: Nutrition Science Specialization

Plan A students must complete 30 credits, including 6 credits of thesis (NUTR 797  or equivalent); 18 credits must be at the 700 level or above. A thesis is a scientific document that describes the background, methods, results, and conclusions of an original research activity.

Plan B students must complete 32 credits, including 3 credits of professional paper (NUTR 796  or equivalent); 12 credits must be at the 700 level or above. A professional paper here refers to a critical analysis of existing knowledge on a specified nutrition topic/problem.

• NUTR 796 - Professional Paper (3 units)
• NUTR 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)

II. Program Requirements: Dietetics Specialization

This specialization will include didactic graduate-level courses in addition to supervised practice by the UNR Dietetic Internship Program. Graduates of the program will earn an M. S. in Nutrition and a Dietetic Internship Program (DI) Verification Statement upon completion of the M. S. in Nutrition. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be approved for eligibility to the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) registration examination.

Students are required to complete 30 total units including didactic coursework (24 units) and 1, 000 supervised practice (6 units).

III. Notes

Graduate Advisory/Examining Committee Membership

All graduate Advisory/Examining Committees must have a minimum of three faculty members. At least two must be members of the Nutrition Program Graduate Faculty, including the committee chair, and at least one must be a faculty member from the Department of Nutrition. The committee must also include one member external to the Nutrition Program Graduate Faculty to provide representation from the Graduate School.