Nutritional Sciences

Master of Science Degree in Nutritional Sciences

General Admission Requirements
A list of the requirements for admission to the Nutritional Sciences Master's Program.

General Aspects of Graduate Study
General information about graduate study in the Nutritional Sciences Master's Program.

Major in Nutritional Sciences
Information about the Master's Program in Nutritional Sciences including sections on the thesis and the non-thesis options.

Responsibilities in the Master's Program
A brief overview of the responsibilities of those involved in the Nutritional Sciences Master's Program

Master's Degree Student's Responsibilities (Thesis and Non-Thesis options)
Additional Master's Degree Student's Responsibilities (Non-thesis option)
Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor's Responsibilities (Non-thesis option)
Additional Master's Degree Student's Responsibilities (Thesis option)
Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor's Responsibilities (Thesis option)
Graduate Advisory Committee Chairperson's Responsibilities (Thesis option)
Graduate Advisory Committee's Responsibilities (Thesis option)

Graduate Courses in Nutritional Sciences
A list of the graduate courses offered by the Nutritional Sciences Program.
Graduate Degree in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetic Internship option
Teaching/Research Assistantship Application
Graduate Student Grant Request for Thesis Research
Graduate Scholarship Information
Masters Programs: Required Steps

TTU Related Links

Financial Resources

Location of Texas Tech University

Master's Program Faculty Contact

Dr. Debra B. Reed, Ph.D., RD, LD
Mailing Address:
Texas Tech University
NHR Dept. Box 41240 Lubbock, TX 79409-1240, USA
Phone: 806-742-3068 Ext. 251
E-mail: debra.reed@ttu.edu

General Admission Requirements

Admission to the TTU Graduate Nutritional Sciences Program is a 2 step process. Some information must be submitted to the TTU Graduate School, and other information is submitted to the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor as detailed below. If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Advisor for Nutritional Sciences (Dr. Debra Reed; debra.reed@ttu.edu; phone 806-742-3068, extension 251):

Apply to Texas Tech University's Graduate School
In general this includes submission of the following:
- Online application
- Official transcript(s) of all previous college studies
- Scores of Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- English Language Proficiency Tests (international students only)
- Application fee
For more details on the above, go to: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/how.php.
The applicant should send directly to the Graduate Advisor for Nutritional Sciences (Dr. Debra Reed):
1. A letter of application detailing the student's rationale for pursuing a Master's in Nutritional Sciences (including previous academic, employment, volunteer, and research experiences; goals; and interests, especially as they relate to current TTU faculty interests).
2. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to address the student's suitability for pursuing a Master's Degree in Nutritional Sciences, including at least 2 references from previous professors.
3. Professional Resume
(1), (2), and (3) above should be sent to Dr. Reed at the address below for regular postal delivery:

Dr. Debra B. Reed
Dept. of Nutrition, Hospitality, and Retailing
College of Human Sciences
Texas Tech University
Box 41240
Lubbock , TX 79409-1240

Or use this Street Address for courier/overnight delivery:

Dr. Debra B. Reed
Dept. of Nutrition, Hospitality, and Retailing
College of Human Sciences
Texas Tech University
1301 Akron Avenue
Lubbock , TX 79409-1240
Phone 806-742-3068, extension 251

Application Deadlines:

Nutritional Sciences Deadlines for students who are U.S./permanent Residents:
January 1st for fall admission and to be eligible for scholarships and assistantships
September 15th for spring admission
If you are not able to meet the above deadlines, please contact Dr. Reed to inquire if later admission deadlines are available.

Graduate School and Nutritional Sciences Deadlines for students who are international: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/appProc_Internat.php

Minimal Nutritional Sciences entrance requirements for M.S. applicants at Texas Tech University:

GPA last 60 hours: Minimum 3.0 with a minimum grade of "C" in all required courses.
English Language Proficiency Scores for international students that are acceptable by the Texas Tech Graduate School.
The student must meet certain minimum science competencies in biochemistry and mammalian physiology. The following courses or equivalent, passed with a "C" or better are prerequisites for admission to the graduate program: ZOOL 2402 Human Anatomy and Physiology , NS 3402 Survey of Biochemistry, and NS 4320 Nutritional Biochemistry.
A beginning level of competency in statistics and computer literacy is required for all MS students
Any student who does not meet the minimal admission requirements is on academic probation until the completion of 12 graduate hours with a 3.0 average or higher. A minimum of 6 hours must be taken from the courses listed under the section on "Major in Nutritional Sciences."

Applications for admission to the Nutritional Sciences Master of Science degree program which have been forwarded from the Graduate School to the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor will be reviewed by a majority of the Nutritional Sciences graduate faculty. The final admission decision will be made by the Graduate Advisor based upon the Nutritional Sciences graduate faculty recommendations.

General Aspects of Graduate Study

A Master of Science Degree requires a minimum of 30 (with thesis) or 36 (without thesis) semester hours of graduate courses. For Dietetic Interns pursuing a MS degree in Nutritional Sciences, a minimum of 33 (with thesis) or 39 (without thesis) semester hours of graduate courses is required. The courses are chosen in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Committee selected by the thesis student or the Graduate Advisor for the non-thesis student. The Graduate Advisory Committee for thesis students should be composed of 2 Nutritional Sciences graduate faculty and 1 additional graduate faculty member from Nutritional Sciences or outside Nutritional Sciences. One faculty member will serve as the chairperson of the Advisory Committee.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all courses included in the degree plan, exclusive of required leveling courses, is required for graduation. Graduate credit is allowed only for courses completed with grades of A, B, or C.
No foreign language is required. However, competency in English must be manifested in all graduate study.
Any student receiving a research assistantship or other research financial support for graduate study of 1/4 or more time for one academic year or more in the area of his/her thesis proposal will be expected to write a thesis for graduation.
Students pursuing graduate degrees are expected to be enrolled full-time. Normal full-time enrollment is 12 hours in a regular semester or 6 hours in a summer session. Students must be enrolled full-time (at least 9 hours in each long term semester, 3 to 6 hours in each summer term) to be eligible to hold fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or other appointments designed for the support of graduate study. Part-time students are students taking less than full-time academic loads.
A student devoting full-time effort toward research by using University facilities and faculty time should be enrolled in at least 9 - 12 hours (6 hours in each summer term), regardless of the number of research, independent study, or thesis hours completed.
Each student who has begun thesis research must register in each regular semester and at least once in a summer term until the degree requirements have been completed to maintain continuous enrollment.
The oral defense of the thesis will be of a comprehensive nature and may include subject matter from any area of the degree plan.

Major in Nutritional Sciences

As a means of establishing minimum basic knowledge at the graduate level, Master of Science NS students are REQUIRED to take the following courses:
- NS 5118 - Seminar in Nutritional Sciences
  Enrollment for credit is required at least twice.
- NS 5330 - Introduction to Nutritional Sciences Research
- NS 5331 - Issues in Nutrition
- Any 2 of the following 4 courses:
  - NS 5327 Lipids
  - NS 5380 Carbohydrates and Proteins
  - NS 5329 Minerals in Nutrition
  - NS 5333 Vitamins in Nutrition
  - A 3 hour graduate statistics course
  - At least 7 additional hours in Nutritional Sciences courses exclusive of NS 5118 and NS 6000
  - Other courses as determined by the Graduate Advisory Committee
  - Students enrolled in the Dietetic Internship/Master's degree option will be required to complete NS 5601 (12 hours of which 6 hours will be applied to the total hours required for the master's degree), NS 5334, and other courses as specified.
- Thesis Option
  Students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. degree should select the thesis option. A minimum of 30 graduate hours including specified required courses and a minimum of 6 hours of NS 6000, a completed thesis, and passing an oral comprehensive final examination conducted by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee are required. Dietetic interns selecting the thesis option are required to complete 33 hours.
- Non-Thesis Option
  A minimum of 36 graduate hours including specified required courses and passing a written comprehensive final examination are required. The examination must be taken at Texas Tech University during the semester the student is a candidate for the degree. Contact the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor to schedule the exam in advance of the Graduate School's deadline. Dietetic interns selecting the non-thesis option are required to complete 39 hours.

Responsibilities in the Master's Program

Master's Degree Student's Responsibilities (Thesis and Non-Thesis options)

For Required Steps in the Master's Program and deadlines, go to this TTU Graduate School website: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/current/MastersHowTo.php

For Required Forms in the Master's Program, go to this TTU Graduate School website http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/current/MastersForms.php. The student shall obtain the signature of the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor for approval of their academic plan/course of study. The form for submitting your academic plan to the Graduate School is "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy."

Read the Graduate Catalog concerning all aspects of graduate study: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/_viewcat.php.

Additional Master's Degree Student's Responsibilities (Non-thesis option)

Confer with the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor regarding course selection and completion of "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy" form. This form should be completed by the start of the 2nd semester of study and requires the signature of the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor.
Confer with the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor about any concerns regarding academic performance in courses.
Contact the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor to schedule the comprehensive final examination. The examination must be taken at Texas Tech University during the semester the student is a scheduled to receive the degree. Schedule the exam in advance of the Graduate School's deadline for reporting results of comprehensive exams.

Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor's Responsibilities (Non-thesis option)

Review initial program opportunities and requirements with the student.
Provide advice in the development of the academic program and course selection.
Provide ongoing assistance and liaison with the Graduate School on the student's behalf.
Sign "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy" form and submit to Graduate School.

Additional Master's Degree Student's Responsibilities (Thesis option)

Select a Graduate Advisory Committee Chairperson by the end of the first semester of graduate study or as soon as possible thereafter.
Confer with Graduate Advisory Committee Chairperson concerning:
- Plan of study, "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy" form(also confer with Graduate Advisory Committee)
- Course registration
- Research interests
- Thesis completion and defense
Contact potential committee members requesting their membership on the Graduate Advisory Committee.
Consult with Graduate Advisory Committee on a regular basis regarding:
- research proposal development (format in APA style unless otherwise directed by your Graduate Advisory Committee Chair)
- research proposal presentation
- research proposal approval
- guidance during research
- planning of all committee meetings
- planning for final oral examination (defense of thesis)
Recheck plan of study when enrolling for the semester in which the degree is to be conferred. Plan of study and transcript must match.
Observe and meet Graduate School deadlines regarding:
- Submission of plan of study (course plan "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy" form )
- Submission of draft copy of thesis (after Graduate Advisory Committee approval)
- Payment of Thesis fee
- Final oral examination (defense of thesis)
- Final copy of thesis
Follow the Graduate School's requirements for thesis development and submission: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/current/thd.php.
Thesis students are required to provide the chair of their Graduate Advisory Committee with a bound copy of the thesis unless the chair signs the waiver form indicating that he/she does not want a copy.
Prepare a manuscript for publication (as first author) of thesis research and findings. If work is not submitted for publication within one year after thesis completion, Advisory Committee Chairperson and committee members will have the right to publish research findings. Authorship will include the student's name.

Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor's Responsibilities (Thesis option)

Review initial program opportunities with the student.
Provide initial advice for course selection and in the development of the academic plan.
Make suggestions about selection of the Advisory Committee Chairperson.
Sign academic plan "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy" form after review by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee. Submit form to Graduate School.

Graduate Advisory Committee Chairperson's Responsibilities (Thesis option)

By the end of the first semester of graduate study, the student, in conference with the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor, should select from the Nutritional Sciences graduate faculty a professor under whose supervision he/she wishes to study. This professor will serve as the Chairperson of the Graduate Advisory Committee for the student. The chairperson/committee-student relationship should be mutually acceptable.

Until a student selects a Graduate Advisory Committee Chairperson, the student will be advised by the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Advisor. Dietetic interns are advised by the Internship Director during their internship year.

The Graduate Advisory Committee Chairperson will do the following:

Advise and assist the student in selecting other Committee members.
Review student's academic plan of study ("Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy" form).
Assist student in setting up committee meetings at appropriate times.
Plan a time schedule with the student including:
- Course completion
- Research completion
- Thesis completion
Guide student in developing research proposal. (This may be accomplished in part in NS 5330 Introduction to Nutritional Sciences Research)
Advise student in his/her research in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Committee and assist student with draft of his/her thesis.
Advise student in preparing for master's final oral examination for defense of thesis.
Advise student in preparing final copy of thesis for the Graduate School.

Graduate Advisory Committee's Responsibilities (Thesis option)

The Graduate Advisory Committee shall consist of at least 3 graduate faculty members (including the Chairperson). Two of the committee members must be Nutritional Sciences graduate faculty.

The Graduate Advisory Committee will:

Plan and approve the student's academic plan of study ("Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy") in collaboration with the Graduate Advisory Committee Chairperson
Advise the graduate student on research
Approve student's research proposal
Advise student during research activities including writing of the thesis
Conduct student's final oral examination
Review and approve final copy of thesis before submission to the Graduate School
Recommend student for his/her degree, following guidelines of the Graduate School concerning academic coursework, oral comprehensive examination, and thesis

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