MS Degree Program

Program objectives are to: (1) recognize the diverse nature of subject matter embodied in the nutrition disciplines; (2) understand the research findings and theoretical constructs undergirding the nutrition disciplines (3) understand and embrace ethical standards of the respective disciplines.

Program Prerequisites

1. Prospective students must apply to both the Graduate School and the School of Health Studies, except Clinical Nutrition applicants must follow the DICAS application process See http://www.memphis.edu/shs/programs/clinical_nutrition.php). The applicant must submit an official transcript for undergraduate and graduate studies. Additionally, as part of the application to the Graduate School, an official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be submitted except:
   1. Environmental Nutrition (ENVN): An applicant seeking admission to the ENVN concentration is not required to submit GRE scores. However, official GRE or other standardized test scores may be requested or submitted to support an application.
2. An applicant, except in Clinical Nutrition, must also submit the following to the School: 1) SHS Graduate Admission Application Form, 2) two letters of recommendation, and 3) a 300-500 word statement of goals including identification of the intended area of concentration. (Contact the school’s academic services coordinator for application forms. School application forms are also available on-line at. (www.memphis.edu/shs/students/grad_admission.php)
3. Although exceptions may be considered, an applicant is normally expected to have graduated with a minimum baccalaureate GPA of 2.75, except Clinical Nutrition applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
4. Completion of an appropriate undergraduate major and a strong background in discipline-specific courses:
   1. Clinical Nutrition: Completion of an undergraduate degree and an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement.
   2. Environmental Nutrition: life science-oriented courses such as nutrition, biology, health sciences, public health, health promotion, food service, and anthropology
   3. Nutrition Science: science-oriented courses such as, but not limited to, nutrition, biology, biochemistry, health sciences, and chemistry
5. Completion of undergraduate work deemed by the concentration committee as prerequisite to graduate courses.
6. Student admissions to the respective programs within the Nutrition (NUTR) major are differentially restricted to enable Graduate Faculty within each concentration to closely mentor their students. To ensure maximum consideration for admission into a specific NUTR concentration, the following dates are provided: May 1 for summer and fall and November 1 for the spring semester. Clinical Nutrition applicants must participate in the DICAS application process during mid-February. The admission committee may request a personal interview.

Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission, including, but not limited to, undergraduate and graduate grade point average, GRE scores, personal goals statement, relevant employment history, and letters of recommendation.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 30 hours is required for the major although respective concentrations may require additional credit hours.

Concentration requirements:

Guided electives selected with approval of the advisor:

Clinical Nutrition (0 hours)

Culminating Experience (6-10 hours)

(Consult Graduate School Calendar for submission deadlines - www.memphis.edu/gradschool/calendar.php):

Other Requirements

1. Successful completion of an oral or written comprehensive examination (successful defense of the Clinical Internship in NUTR, Internship in Environmental Nutrition, Applied Project, or Thesis may serve this purpose). (Consult Graduate School Calendar for submission deadlines - www.memphis.edu/gradschool/calendar.php)
2. Consult Graduate School Calendar for Intent to Graduate submission deadlines - www.memphis.edu/gradschool/calendar.php