Nutrition

[1] Objectives

The primary purpose of the Master of Science in Nutrition is to prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills for advanced practice careers in nutrition and dietetics. Graduates of the program will be able to synthesize and evaluate research and disseminate findings, demonstrate professional communication skills, and demonstrate advanced-practice skills required for nutrition professionals.

[2] Dietetic Internship

The Dietetic Internship is a supervised dietetic practice and study program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

The dietetic internship meets performance requirements for eligibility to write the Commission on Dietetics Registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The dietetic internship is to be completed in 15 months. The first year includes instruction and practicum experiences in community nutrition, research, and food-service management. Instruction and practicum experiences during the second year includes clinical nutrition and clinical management. Practice sites include various health care facilities in Arkansas.

[2.1] Dietetic Internship Entrance Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree
• Verification statement of completion of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
• Official transcript(s) of course work from all colleges and universities attended
• Minimum of 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
• Recommended GRE score of 300 (150 verbal, 150 quantitative) with 3.0 on writing
• ServeSafe Certification
• Work experience in nutrition-related area
• Completed dietetic internship application (see https://uca.edu/facs/programs/dietetic-internship/)

[3] Master of Science in Nutrition

[3.1] Program Admission Requirements

To be granted regular admission to graduate school and to the MS in Nutrition, students must have accomplished the following:

• Obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• Achieved a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.70 on a scale of 4.00 or at least a 3.00 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.
• Achieved a minimum 3.00 GPA on any graduate course work previously taken at another accredited institution.
• Submitted required test scores (GRE) OR proof of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential OR proof of acceptance and/or current enrollment in an ACEND accredited supervised practice program.
• Obtained an undergraduate degree in nutrition or related field or successfully completed the courses for an undergraduate didactic program in dietetics as required.

Please note:
(1) Admission to the MS in Nutrition program does not guarantee admission to the Dietetic Internship.
(2) Students previously awarded a Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a Nutrition and Foods concentration are not eligible for admission to the Master of Science in Nutrition degree program.

[3.2] Degree Requirements

The degree plan offers thesis and non-thesis options; the requirements for these options differ. All students will take comprehensive examinations and complete a graduate portfolio as described in the departmental manual for graduate students.

[3.2.1] Thesis Option (30 hours)

Core requirements (9 hours)

Nutrition classes (15 hours)

* Indicates courses included in the dietetic internship program.
⁺ Dietetic interns must successfully complete 18 hours of practicum.

Thesis research (6 hours)

The procedures for selecting and writing a thesis will be those prescribed in the current UCA Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide, available on-line at https://uca.edu/graduateschool/thesisdissertation/.

[3.2.2] Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)

Core requirements (9 hours)

Nutrition (27 hours without thesis)

[3.3] Additional Requirements

[3.3.1] MS Thesis Option

After the thesis has been read and approved and before the candidate is recommended to the Dean of the Graduate School for graduation, the candidate will meet with his/her thesis committee for an oral examination, which will consist principally of a defense of the thesis. A majority of the student’s committee must approve the thesis and its defense. If approval is denied, the candidate will not be recommended for graduation. In this event, the student may be re-examined at a later period, no sooner than two months after initial examination.

[3.3.2] MS Non-Thesis Option

The student will be required to complete a graduate portfolio and pass a written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam will be given with the permission of the graduate coordinator or department chair after the student has completed the required courses. The student will advise the graduate coordinator of intent to take the examination by submitting a Comprehensive Examination Request form (see departmental manual for graduate students) to the department chair early in the semester of the requested examination date.

[4] Graduate Course Links

Follow this link to NUTR course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to FACS course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to EXSS course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to ASTL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to HLTH course descriptions: course link.