HUMAN NUTRITION MS
About the program
The Master of Science in Human Nutrition (MSHN) program at University of Delaware emphasizes advanced knowledge of core nutrition principles and prepares students for advanced practice, research, and leadership roles. The focus of the MSHN is nutritional science, and the application of biochemistry, physiology, and biology principles to human nutrition in health and disease. Areas of emphasis include research and projects related to prevention or treatment of disease; nutrition in infancy, childhood, and aging; community nutrition; cardiovascular physiology; and identifying and clarifying relationships between diet and health.
The program enables students to pursue their degree through either a thesis or non-thesis option (can choose no concentration or a concentration in dietetics, public health or health coaching). Both options include a core of required credits in nutrition and research methods and elective courses or concentration courses to fulfill the remainder of the program credits.
Applications for the MSHN Program will be reviewed on a rolling basis between January 15 and March 15 for admission to the program in the fall semester. Materials required for application include:
- Application form
- Graduate application essay
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation (it is recommended that at least two be from academic references)
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Official GRE scores and TOEFL/IELTS, if applicable
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average index of 2.75, and 3.00 in major field;
- Completion of the following prerequisite course requirements:
- physiology (one course)
- inorganic chemistry (two courses, Chem 1 and Chem 2)
- organic chemistry (one course)
- biochemistry (one course)
- human nutrition with a biochemistry prerequisite
- For international students who do not apply for a teaching assistantship, a TOEFL score of 575 or higher (paper-based), TOEFL iBT of 90 or higher, or IELTS of 6.5 is required. International students applying for a teaching assistantship must have a paper-based TOEFL score of 600 or higher, TOEFL iBT of 100 or higher or IELTS of 7.0
- Admission decisions will be made by the Nutrition Graduate Programs Committee. Students will be admitted to the program based on enrollment availability, the availability of faculty mentorship, and their ability to meet the minimum admission requirements.
The MSHN is a 32-credit program designed to be completed in 2 years and includes a thesis or non-thesis option (with options for a concentration).
Thesis Option
- 20 credits of course work
- 6 credits of thesis research
- 6 credits electives
- Thesis proposal defense
- Thesis defense
Non-thesis Option (choice of no concentration, a dietetics concentration, a public health concentration or a health coaching concentration)
- 20 credits of course work
- 3 credits of field project
- 9 credits of electives or concentration courses (will differ based on concentration)
- Comprehensive exam
- Nutrition and food-related interventions, dietary supplements, and bioactive food components (particularly polyphenols and antioxidants) in the prevention and management of age-related and chronic diseases (Sheau Ching Chai, PhD RD)
- Body composition, energy metabolism and nutrition assessment in chronic and acute illness; clinical nutrition assessment; diagnosis and management of disease-associated malnutrition (Carrie Earthman, PhD, RD)
- Nutritional epidemiology and chronic disease prevention; maternal and child health; environmental health and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (Melissa Melough, PhD, RD)
- Health behaviors and cognitive and psychological factors that influence body weight across the life course, behavioral and pharmacological (e.g., GLP-1 RAs) interventions that impact cardiometabolic risk, and ecological momentary assessment of eating behavior and weight-related cognitive and psychological states (Carly Pacanowski, PhD, RD)
- Behavioral weight management interventions in pediatric and adult populations; community-based nutrition interventions (Shannon Robson, PhD, MPH, RD)
- Public health nutrition, vitamin D and pediatric nutrition (Alisha Rovner, PhD)
- Infant and child feeding practices, women's health, cultural humility, global health/nutrition, immigrant health/nutrition (Kelebogile Setiloane, PhD)
- Early childhood nutrition, diet composition and energy balance in healthy individuals and in those with chronic disease (Jillian Trabulsi, PhD, RD)
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Connect
Tower at STAR: 100 Discovery Blvd, Newark, DE 19713 | Health Sciences Complex: 540 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19713 chs-info@udel.edu Phone: 302-831-1060