Texas Tech University's online Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is a fully online, 30-hour non-thesis degree. The degree plan is specifically designed for students who will receive a DPD verification statement, be completing a dietetic internship or those who already hold RD/RDN credentials. This degree has a practice-based focus aimed at increasing knowledge and skills to be used in nutrition/dietetics practice and application of research in the work setting. It is designed to provide flexibility for students to earn their advanced degree while completing an internship, working full time, etc. Students can also now choose to include one of three offered concentrations within their degree: Nutrition and Healthy Weight, Nutrition and Sports or Nutrition in the Lifecycle. 

This degree is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Courses must be chosen in consultation with the Program Coordinator or Director for this degree plan.

How to Apply

The Graduate School online application system is designed to help you easily navigate through the application process and ensure you complete your application in a timely manner. 

ALL documents must be submitted through the online portal.

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Deadlines

• Fall: July 15th
• Spring: November 15th
• Summer: April 15th

Requirements

• GPA: 3.0 preferred
One of the Following:
• DPD Verification statement
• Acceptance into a Dietetic Internship (DI)
• Proof of Registered Dietitian credentials (copy of CDR card)
• Resume/CV
• Letters of Recommendation (2)

The curriculum of the online master's degree has a practice-based focus aimed at increasing knowledge and skills to be used in the nutrition/dietetics practice and application of research in the work setting. Experts in the field are developing and teaching these classes.

Courses included in the curriculum:

Core Courses

• NS 5330, Introduction to Nutrition Research
  Introduction to and critical review of current research designs and methodology in survey and controlled experiments; proposal, writing, reporting, and interpretation of data. 
• NS 5346, Clinical Applications: Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Lipids
  Structure, function, requirement, digestions, absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids and current research in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids related to health and diseases. 
• NS 5347, Clinical Applications: Vitamins and Minerals
  Sources and requirements, deficiencies and toxicities, vitamins and minerals in gene regulation and metabolism, DNA methylation, vitamins and minerals in health promotion and disease prevention.

Elective Courses

• NS 5333, Leadership, Management and Entrepreneurship
  Current Issues in sports nutritiAn in-depth look at leadership principles, qualities, styles, and models, as well as principles of organization and management as they relate to dietetics and food service systems, development of managerial and motivational skills, and developing an idea into a new enterprise.
• NS 5335, Issues in Sports Nutrition
  Current Issues in sports nutrition including ergogenic aids, special athlete population, and sports nutrition in the media.
• NS 5335, Culinary Medicine
  Explores the link between food and health, emphasizing applying foundations of nutritional science with traditional medical interventions and examining qualities in foods that can treat/manage health conditions.
• NS 5337, Nutrition Support
  Advanced concepts of enteral and parenteral nutrition support including indicators, assessment, and management of nutrition support. Application of nutrition support in critical care, disease management, and home care.
• NS 5338, Bariatric Nutrition
  Nutrient needs after varying types of bariatric weight management surgery. Changes in macro and micronutrient needs and appropriate nutrition interventions and supplementations. 
• NS 5339, Nutrition and Eating Disorders
  Investigation of the prevalence and risk factors contributing to eating disorders, associated health consequences, and evidence-based nutrition goals and intervention and therapies at varying levels of treatment.
• NS 5340, Pediatric Nutrition
  Nutrition practices from infancy to early adolescence to include pediatric conditions, terms and definitions, and evidence-based nutrition interventions. Pathophysiology, medical management, nutrition assessment and intervention for both normal and pediatric specific conditions. 
• NS 5341, Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases
  Impact of impairments in gastrointestinal (GI) tract on proper nutrient digestion, absorption, and utilization along with appropriate nutrition interventions. Focus areas will include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel disease. 
• NS 5342, Biostatistics in Nutrition
  Planning nutritional research with good experimental design, quality data and appropriate statistical analyses with an emphasis on broadly understand what to do when and why in statistical analysis.
• NS 5343, Diabetes and Nutrition Management
  Examination of causes, prevalence, treatment, and nutrition management of diabetes mellitus. Investigation of various methods for nutrition counseling in diabetes education. 
• NS 5344, Nutrition and Geriatrics
  Nutrition practices for the geriatric population; includes assessment, comorbidities, nutrition care planning, and evidence-based interventions. Discussion of long term care placement, regulatory agencies and hospice/palliative care.
• NS 5349, Nutrition and Kidney Disease
  Examine etiologies, treatments, and prevention of kidney disease. Nutrition management of other disorders associated with kidney disease and cutting-edge research implemented by healthcare professionals.
• NS 6310, Nutrition Education
  Nutrition education and resources for diverse population across the lifespan.
• NS 6318, Maternal and Child Nutrition
  Overview of the major nutrition issues, policies and intervention programs for women and children in the United States and globally.
• NS 6325, Nutrition, Exercise, and Sport
  Exercise physiology and nutrient requirements in sports and exercise: macronutrient, micronutrient and fluid needs of athletes engaged in specific sports, pre/post exercise meals, gender specific requirements, and special topics such as eating disorders, pregnancy and masters athletes. Effective methods of counseling athletes on behavior change will also be presented.
• NS 6330, Nutritional Supplements & Ergonomic Aids
  The study and application of supplements and ergogenic aids as they relate to the physiology of exercise, physical activity, and individual and team sport athletes. 
• NS 6335, Motivating Health Behavior
  The study of behavioral and psychological theory for assisting and motivating clients and the application of these theories in the context of health coaching with various patients. 
• NS 6360, Food Security
  Overview of global food and nutrition security, including availability, access, consumption and stability, causes and consequences of food security. Application includes food security assessment and program planning. 
• NS 6365, Obesity Management for the Clinical Practitioner
  Examine various etiologies, comorbidities, and treatments of obesity, as well as explore the future of evidence-based research for non-traditional treatments with a focus for healthcare-related professions. 
• NS 6375, Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease
  Examination of the risk factors, development, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of CVD.

New Degree Plans 

• Degree Plan - Non-Thesis Option
• Degree Plan - Thesis Option
• Degree Plan - TTU Dietetic Interns Non-Thesis Option
• Degree Plan - TTU Dietetic Interns Thesis Option

Concentrations Available

Students can choose to include a concentration in their program with no additional course work. To include a concentration, students will be required to take the same 12 hours of core courses, 9 hours of concentration specific courses, and 12 hours of electives. The courses required for each of the concentrations are pulled from the list of electives on the courses tab.

• Nutrition and Healthy Weight
  The weight management concentration is designed to develop skills and an understanding of the biological, cultural, environmental, psychosocial, physical and economic factors associated with obesity and weight management. This concentration will enhance students' ability to work with individuals to develop successful strategies for weight management.
  Required Courses: NS 5338, NS 5339, NS 6365
• Nutrition and Sports
  The sports nutrition concentration is designed for people who seek to provide sports nutrition information to athletes and physically active individuals. Concepts include designing and implementing nutrition programs, interpreting research in the field of sports nutrition, counseling athletes, evaluating supplements and ergogenic aids, and working with special athlete populations.
  Required Courses: NS 5335, NS 6325, NS 6330

• Nutrition in the Lifecycle
  This concentration is designed to provide a critical examination of behavioral, physiological and public health issues impacting dietary and nutritional factors that support normal growth and development through the lifecycle.
  Required Courses: NS 5340, NS 5344, NS 6318

 

Resources

• Graduate Degree in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetic Internship option
• Graduate Scholarship Information
• Thesis Requirements
• Non-Thesis Requirements
• Forms

Other Helpful Links

• Academic Calendar

TTU Related Links

• TTU Graduate School
• Graduate Studies Responsibilities
• TTU Office of Publications - Catalog of Courses
• Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Center (TLPDC)
• TEACH Program

Financial Resources

• Graduate Scholarship Information
• TTU Graduate School
• Graduate Student Travel Funding Requests - Graduate School
• TTU Financial Aid Office