MS in Nutrition

In as little as 12 months and less than $15,000, you can earn your master's degree and be ready for the next step in your career. With 100% online options in Denton and Houston.

Program features

Female TWU dietitian talks to a male patient who has food options on table in front of him.
  • Degree completion in as little as 1 year, or 30 credit hours*
  • High quality, affordable education and career preparation
  • Thesis, coursework-only and 100% online options
  • Electives that merge the science of nutrition with a broader view of wellness, community and the environment
  • Small classes with accessible, knowledgeable and supportive faculty, including flavor scientists and an emulsion chemist
  • Scholarship recipients receive in-state tuition
  • Courses take place on TWU's Denton campus and Houston campus

*Individual requirements may vary.

The MS in Nutrition along with the dietetic internship prepares graduates to take the national Registration Examination for Dietitians and apply for a license to practice through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians. Licensing of dietitians in Texas is voluntary. If you are a resident of another state, contact our department to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to apply for licensure in your home state.

View a full list of courses

Why Nutrition at TWU?

Dietetic internship opportunities

Texas Woman's Nutrition and Food Sciences Department offers Dietetic Internships on the Denton and Houston campuses. Visit our Master’s Dietetic Internship Programs page for more information.

Home to the only school nutrition internship program in Texas

Texas Woman's Nutrition and Food Sciences offers the only School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Internship program in the state. The program is also one of only three approved by the School Nutrition Association nationwide.

This highly selective program prepares you to assess the nutritional needs of diverse populations, especially school-aged children at risk or of limited income. Currently, our students have a 100 percent job placement rate after completing the SNS Internship.

Available on TWU's Denton and Houston campuses.

Learn more about the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Internship.

Explore thesis, coursework-only and 100% online options

  • In the thesis option, you will complete a thesis with an oral defense and take less semester credit hours
  • The coursework-only option allows you to take more semester credit hours in replacement of completing a thesis and oral defense
  • The 100% online option mirrors the coursework-only option but allows you to complete your degree at your own pace

Learn more about program requirements for each option below.

Research opportunities

At TWU, you have the opportunity to participate in research with faculty in any of the on-campus laboratories. Research possibilities include:

  • Examining the effect of berries on bone health and prevention of osteoporosis
  • Evaluating the impact of various protein sources on exercise recovery
  • Diabetes control
  • Influence on parameters involved in the regulation of ovulation
  • The effect of dietary fats on neurological behavior and neuroinflammation

Community nutrition options include the development of community education programs and evaluation and design or outreach opportunities. 

Career opportunities

Career opportunities for graduates include:

  • Research and development in the food industry
  • Academia
  • Writing and publishing
  • Nutrition consultancy
  • Marketing for nutrition companies

Salaries in these areas vary widely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a median annual income of $60,370 per year for dietitians and nutritionists with a much faster than the average growth rate.

Program requirements

Thesis Option

In this program option, you will complete a total of 30 semester credit hours broken down into:

  • 11 credit hours of required coursework
  • 10-12 credit hours of additional courses in major (may include six-nine credit hours in an internship experience, independent study or cooperative education)
  • Three-four credit hours of additional coursework
  • Six credit hours of thesis coursework

A full list of courses and requirements are available in the course catalog.

Coursework-only and 100% Online Options

In this program option, you will complete a total of 36 semester credit hours broken down into:

  • 12 credit hours of required coursework
  • 16 credit hours of additional courses in major
  • Nine additional courses (may include coursework from another department, or coursework transferred from another institution with approval)
  • A capstone seminar during your final semester

A full list of courses and requirements are available in the course catalog.

Admission requirements

Admission to the M.S. in Nutrition

Program Contact

Helen Everts, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
nutrfdsci@twu.edu
940-898-2639

Application Deadlines

Fall — June 15
Spring — October 1
Summer — April 1

Admission Requirements

  • Undergraduate semester credit hour prerequisites, including:
    • Chemistry, including Organic and Biochemistry (9-12 hours)
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology (3-4 hours)
    • Introduction to Nutrition (3 hours)
    • Upper-level Nutrition, Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients and Nutrition through the Lifecycle (6-9 hours)
  • Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 undergraduate semester credit hours and all post-baccalaureate and graduate semester credit hours.

Applicants who meet the above criteria with exception of GPA may qualify for provisional admission if they have at least a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) on the last 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. If the applicant has previously earned graduate credits from TWU or another regionally accredited graduate program, the first 12 credit hours completed will be considered in lieu of the last 60 undergraduate hours.

Graduate Admission

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
  2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
  3. Submit Recommendation Requests
    If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application.
  4. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
    1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
    2. Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - Payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 304 Administration Drive, Suite 102, Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    3. Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (down the hall in ACT).
    4. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
    5. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants

 

MS in Nutrition Graduate Student Handbook 2022-2023

NFS 5332 Application for MS Capstone Seminar if completed NFS 5314

For more information

Online program (coursework only)

Denton

K Shane Broughton, PhD
Chair
SRC 204
kbroughton@twu.edu
940-898-2636

Houston

Helen Everts, PhD, RDN
Associate Professor
SRC 204
heverts@twu.edu
940-898-2639

On campus program (thesis and coursework only)

Denton

K Shane Broughton, PhD
Chair
SRC 204
kbroughton@twu.edu
940-898-2636

Helen Everts, PhD, RDN
Associate Professor
SRC 204
heverts@twu.edu
940-898-2639

Houston

Derek Miketinas, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor
dmiketinas@twu.edu
713-794-2256

Apply today

Page last updated 10:04 AM, March 26, 2024 

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