M.S. Concentration in Food and Nutrition Specialization in Nutrition Science

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

The Master of Science (M.S.) with a concentration in Food and Nutrition, specialization in Nutrition Science requires a core of advanced study that integrates nutrition science, biochemistry and research with applied nutrition and dietetics. The specialization Nutrition Science is designed for:

  • the Registered Dietitian
  • those who have a current Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Verification statement indicating completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements;

  • those who wish to fulfill the academic requirements (DPD) for becoming a Registered Dietitian. (See “Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Registration Information” concerning the supervised practice requirement.)

This specialization combines advanced study of nutrition science with the development of skills to incorporate computer applications in food and nutrition. Media technologies are utilized to develop educational programs and materials.

 

Program Requirements

The program requires a minimum of ten (10) courses: four (4) core courses and six (6) concentration and elective courses, together with undergraduate prerequisite courses required for students without appropriate academic backgrounds. A minimum of ten (10) courses is required for graduation. An oral comprehensive examination is required as the student’s culminating experience.

Students who provide a current ACEND Verification Form indicating completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics may have some program core and/or concentration courses waived. Students are required to select additional graduate elective courses for a total of ten (10) to replace any waived courses. Those who wish to fulfill the academic requirements (DPD) for becoming a Registered Dietitian should consult the undergraduate prerequisite courses listed under the Coordinated Program in Dietetics specialization.

Undergraduate Prerequisite Courses

  • MATH 208 Biostatistics
    (not required for students having had an acceptable statistics course within the last five years)

Undergraduate courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology and in Biochemistry must have been successfully completed within the last five years. Students may inquire about challenge exams; students have only one opportunity to take and pass the examination.

 

Concentration Core Courses (4)

  • NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 903 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
  • NUTR 911 Research Methods in Nutrition
  • NUTR 980 Seminar in Food and Nutrition

Specialization Courses (2)

  • NUTR 973 Designing Nutrition Education Programs and Curricula
  • NUTR 993 Nutrition Education Programs and Curricula II: Implementation and Evaluation

Specialization Electives (4)

Elective courses will not be offered each semester and may not be offered every year. Elective courses require written approval from the student’s advisor.

Choose four (4) electives from:

  • CHEM 805 Food Analysis
  • CHEM 808 Food Chemistry
  • CPSY 911 Orientation to Counseling Practice
  • NUTR 882 Management of Food and Nutrition Services*
  • NUTR 881 Medical Nutrition Therapy II*
  • NUTR 884 Foodservice Systems*
  • NUTR 920 Pediatric Nutrition
  • NUTR 922 Communication in Public Health and Nutrition
  • NUTR 940 Nutrition and Healthy Aging
  • NUTR 950 Contemporary Issues in the Food System
  • NUTR 960 Sports Nutrition
  • NUTR 970 Technology in Nutrition Education
  • NUTR 978 Public Health Nutrition
  • NUTR 990 Directed Study in Food and Nutrition

*Denotes course required to meet the Didactic Program in Dietetics

 


Application Deadline

Prior to application advising is available and recommended for graduate students interested in Food and Nutrition. Individual appointments are available on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 - 7:30pm (EST) in person or by phone through the Advising Center. You can schedule an appointment with a Food and Nutrition program advisor online or by calling (508) 626-4540.  Be sure to request a Food and Nutrition advisor specifically.

Applicants who have undergraduate prerequisites to complete that are only offered through the Day School should apply by January 1st for fall admission and by September 1st for spring admission. Students who apply later may still begin their studies if seats are available in the undergraduate prerequisites courses offer through the Day School. Applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is a competitive process. Individuals possessing a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are eligible to apply. Applicants are evaluated based on several factors including previous college course work; Graduate Record Examination scores; letters of recommendation; and personal statement. The personal statement describes the applicant’s goals and reasons for applying to the graduate program.

  1. Applicants must complete the online graduate admission application.
  2. Applicants must submit a $50.00 application fee.
  3. Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  4. Applicants should have an overall undergraduate grade point average (QPA) of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale including acceptable grades in science courses.
  5. Courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, and Biostatistics must have been successfully completed within the last five years. Students may inquire about challenge exams.
  6. Students who wish to fulfill the academic requirements (DPD) for becoming a Registered Dietitian and who have not completed prerequisite courses in their undergraduate curriculum are encouraged to apply. Your advisor will create a plan of study which integrates prerequisite courses and graduate courses once designated prerequisite courses are completed. Students must earn a grade of B- (2.70) or better in each prerequisite course and an overall average of B (3.00).
  7. Students who do not fulfill the QPA requirement, but have a minimum QPA of 2.70 on a 4.00 scale and a satisfactory GRE score will be considered for admission after they complete two prerequisite courses at Framingham State University. These courses must have prior approval and must be completed with a grade of B or better.
  8. Applicants must submit official test score reports from the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) which includes verbal and quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. Preferred minimum scores are: 150 Verbal; 150 Math; 4.0 Writing.
  9. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, and/or colleagues, submitted on the Framingham State University Letter of Recommendation form and sent directly to the University by the recommender.
  10. Applicants must submit a typed, 300-word personal statement discussing their motivation for seeking a master’s degree in view of prior formal, education, current job responsibilities and career plans.
The admissions committee will begin review of applicant materials upon receipt of all required documents. Complete applications include: application form, two current letters of recommendation, GRE test scores, 300-word personal statement, and all official undergraduate transcript(s).

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Registration Information

Students seeking eligibility for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) examination for becoming a Registered Dietitian must complete the academic requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), including a supervised practice experience in an accredited program. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) specialization fulfills both of these requirements. Both the CP and the DPD are competitive programs which require a separate application by matriculated students.  Additional information can be found at the Food and Nutrition major website.  Framingham State University provides advising by the DPD Director for those students who elect to apply to a Dietetic Internship to fulfill the supervised practice experience.  These students must complete NUTR 005 Preparation for Academy Dietetic Internship (no course credit) offered each fall. 

 

Effective as of the 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog