Masters Degrees in Food Sciences, USA

The science behind strong. The Meredith M.S. in Nutrition.

Grounded in the natural and biological sciences, the Meredith M.S. in Nutrition program in Raleigh provides advanced study in human nutrition, including modes of inquiry in the field, the role of food and nutrients in human biology, and in the physical development and maintenance of health and well-being of individuals in the lifecycle.

Students will develop the skills to critically evaluate current and emerging issues in the field, as well as the tools for effective advocacy and professional involvement. The discipline of nutrition is explored recognizing the interrelationships that exist among people, diet, health, quality of life, and in the context of the modern food system.

The result? Knowledgeable professionals who are ready to care for patients and advise those who want to improve their health.

Program Quick Facts

-Coeducational program open to men and women.
-33-37 credit hours.
-Full-time and part-time options available.
-Typical time to degree is two years.
-Courses are primarily scheduled in the evening and meet in-person, with some online and hybrid course offerings.
-Areas of emphasis include dietetics, food studies, gastronomy, sports nutrition, cultural foods, and lifespan wellness.
-Admission deadlines are June 1 for fall (classes begin in August), November 1 for spring (classes begin in January), and April 1 for summer (classes begin in May).
-Both nutrition degree holders and career changers enroll in the program.
-Tuition is approximately $18,975 - $21,275 ($575 per credit hour) for 33-37 hours plus $75 per semester program fee.

Program Values

The Meredith M.S. in Nutrition program is dedicated to a set of core values that reflect standards of knowledge and practice in the field of nutrition, and a belief in the role of quality food to influence health and enrich lives. These values serve as the guiding curricular and co-curricular elements of the program.

-Academic excellence: promoting scholarship, curiosity, intellectual rigor, and integrity.
-Advocacy: encouraging sound nutrition and optimum health through engagement and support of people and programs dedicated to the profession.
-Professional development: advancing opportunities and participation in the field of food and nutrition, and setting the foundation for life-long growth and involvement in the profession.
-Quality food: fostering an appreciation for high quality, whole, nourishing food and its contribution to the quality of life.
-Sustainability: supporting food production and distribution systems that are environmentally sound and promote an equitable and just food supply.

Program Goals

The candidate will:
-Develop a thorough knowledge base on core topics in nutrition.
-Identify and discriminate among the different methods of inquiry in the field of nutrition.
-Develop cognitive skills to analyze and propose solutions to complex issues in the field.
-Locate and evaluate professional literature and current findings in the field.
-Develop skills to effectively communicate topics and issues in the field of nutrition to lay and professional groups.

Curriculum

The Meredith curriculum offers both thesis and non-thesis options to obtain the M.S. in Nutrition. The core curriculum provides advanced study and training in the research process, analysis of current findings, skills to communicate nutrition concepts to others, and an understanding of the function of food and nutrients in humans. You can select from a variety of elective courses that match your personal or professional interests. Through the appropriate selection of elective courses, and thesis or project topics, the following areas of emphasis can be created: eco-nutrition/gastronomy, sports nutrition, cultural foods, and lifespan wellness policies.

Other admission requirements

-Letters of Recommendation – Two completed recommendation forms from people with knowledge of your professional work or academic ability within your area of work or study, available to submit electronically online or in printable versions. Ideally, one recommendation form should be provided by a supervisor from an employment or volunteer position; one recommendation form should be provided by an instructor from a nutrition or nutrition-related science course.
-Focused research or practicum interest and program compatibility, clearly evident in essay answers.
-Professional writing skills demonstrated in applicant essay and GRE Writing score.
-Include a current resume
-Many students seeking a Master of Science in Nutrition degree from Meredith College are also interested in the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) as preparation for application to a dietetic internship. Acceptance into the MS Nutrition program is not a guarantee of acceptance into a dietetic internship at Meredith College. Please note that the application for the MS Nutrition program should reflect your research and/or practical interests in the field of nutrition and how a Master’s degree in nutrition from Meredith College will contribute to your academic and professional goals independent of any dietetic interests.

See website for more information on entry into this course: http://www.meredith.edu/academics/graduate_programs/nutrition/master_of_science_in_nutrition/

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Our master’s program appeals to those interested in a more patient-centered approach to helping people achieve and maintain optimal wellness through focus on the whole person, rather than simply their symptoms.

Highlights:

- Accredited program offered in collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)
- Rigorous, clinically-applicable curriculum that is continually reviewed and updated with new research and findings
- 100 percent online format with flexible schedule options
- Engaging online learning experience featuring distinguished and dedicated instructors and an expert support network to reinforce clinical and academic skills
- Program satisfies educational requirements to sit for many national nutrition certification exams

Don’t miss your chance to enroll in our spring term!

MISSION

The mission of the UWS master’s in human nutrition and functional medicine (HNFM) program is to prepare learners to serve as outstanding health care clinicians, consultants, educators, administrators and researchers in the field of human nutrition and functional medicine.

PROGRAM

Our clinically-oriented human nutrition and functional medicine program is the only fully accredited master’s degree in functional medicine, having been granted regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the highest level of academic accreditation available in the U.S. This program is 100 percent online as offered as a collaborative endeavor between UWS and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the organization which founded and developed the key functional medicine concepts used today.

Functional medicine is a science-based, patient-centered and systems-oriented approach to helping people achieve and maintain excellent health. This is accomplished primarily through natural methods, with diet and nutrition as a central focus. It is a forefront model for health care practice that seeks to address the causes of disease and dysfunction rather than suppressing symptoms. Founded on a holistic view of health, functional medicine delves deep into the biochemical and genetic individuality of each patient.

Why choose UWS for a master’s in nutrition?

This program includes advanced instruction in clinical nutrition, similar to other master’s level nutrition programs, but it goes far beyond by also presenting extensive educational content on functional medicine principles and practices derived from the Institute for Functional Medicine. These include important interdisciplinary and evidence-based perspectives, patient assessments and clinical interventions designed to enhance the function of the whole person.

It is primarily a clinically focused degree, with emphasis on treating individual or multiple conditions and their risk factors using dietary and nutritional interventions. Every course contains elements of clinical assessment and diagnosis. There is also a strong focus on wellness promotion and general health in order to meet the clinician’s primary goal of preventing disease and metabolic dysfunction before they occur.

SCHEDULE

The program consists of 50 quarter-credits of graduate coursework (33 semester credits) and can be completed in seven quarters (under two years) if taken at the recommended pace of 7-8 credits (usually two courses) per quarter, though students may move more quickly or more slowly through the program. We recognize that the life situations of our students vary considerably in terms of their family, employment and community commitments, thus we are flexible with regard to speed and prefer that students take the time they need in order to learn the material well.

Additionally, it is possible to take a leave of absence for a quarter or more if needed. As long as the intended schedule is communicated with the registrar, it is possible to extend the program to better suit a student’s individual needs.

Classes are admitted twice per year, with Fall (October) and Spring (April) starts.

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-Benefit from a convenient and flexible curriculum
-Choose from two career-focused tracks
-Earn your degree as quickly as 16 months with a fall start, including summer courses
-Learn from faculty committed to your success
-Expand your professional network
-Opt for a dual master’s degree in a related field

FEED AND FUEL YOUR FUTURE AS A NUTRITION PROFESSIONAL

Use the knowledge you gain from this program to expand your practice in health-related fields or compliment your background in areas such as biology, education, exercise science, journalism, marketing, and more to meet your career goals. If you are already a registered dietitian or food service professional, obtaining your master’s degree will improve your leadership opportunities.

Our MS in Food and Nutrition focuses on human and applied nutrition, critical for real-life situations. For those interested in pursuing a doctorate at another institution or improving your knowledge and skills in a specific research area, select the thesis option.

The MS in Food and Nutrition online degree will prepare you to:
-Provide leadership that influences and contributes to the food and nutrition arena.
-Translate important nutrition information for the public.
-Utilize new knowledge to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and promote nutrition and wellness.

GAIN SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, GREATER OPPORTUNITY

Our 36-credit MS in Food and Nutrition can be tailored to meet your career goals.

Take required core courses focusing on the essential nutrients and nutrition research methods, and identify elective courses to further your needs and interests.

Select from two tracks to enhance your specialization.
-Administration if you would like to: (a) Apply management and leadership principles to foodservice, clinical and community nutrition services; and (b) Evaluate emerging research to advance evidence-based clinical nutrition knowledge, skills, and practice.
-Education if you would like to: (a) Apply emerging research to advance evidence-and theory-based knowledge, skills and practice in implementation, and evaluation; (b) Use community and public health nutrition research and methods to support optimal nutritional status for individuals, groups, and populations; and (c) Advocate for food and nutrition public policy at local, state and national levels.

Choose between the thesis and non-thesis options.

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