Master of Science (MS) in
Human Nutrition

• NHM 555 Maternal and Infant Nutrition or NHM 567 Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill
• NHM 561 Advanced Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism
• NHM 562 Metabolism of Energy Nutrients
• HES 509 Research Methods or NHM 509 Research Methods in Nutrition
• CHS 525 Biostatistics
• Five electives (three courses must be designated as NHM)

• NHM 550 Community Nutrition I
• NHM 551 Community Nutrition II
• NHM 555 Maternal and Infant Nutrition
• NHM 556 Child and Adolescent Nutrition
• NHM 557 Childhood Obesity or NHM 558 Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
• HES 509 Research Methods or NHM 509 Research Methods in Nutrition
• CHS 525 Biostatistics
• CHS 520 Epidemiology
• Two electives (one course must be designated as NHM)

• NHM 561 Advanced Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism
• NHM 562 Metabolism of Energy Nutrients
• NHM 557 Childhood Obesity or NHM 558 Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
• NHM 567 Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill
• NHM 568 Nutrition for the Older Adult
• HES 509 Research Methods or NHM 509 Research Methods in Nutrition
• CHS 525 Biostatistics
• Three electives (one course must be designated as NHM)

• NHM 530 Advanced Nutrition Counseling
• NHM 625 Nutritional Epidemiology
• HHE 520 Health Behavior
• HHE 530 Health Promotion Techniques
• NUR 510 Basic Concepts of Teaching Diabetes Self-Management Techniques
• NUR 516 Advanced Diabetes Management
• CHS 520 Basic Epidemiology
• CSM 537 Developing the Leader Within
• CSM 575 Entrepreneurship in HES

Electives must be approved by the student′s academic advisor.

The Master of Science in Human Nutrition is a 30 credit-hour program designed to prepare nutrition professionals to practice dietetics at an advanced level and/or pursue doctoral study. The program develops research skills, stimulates independent thought, and provides up-to-date knowledge in food and nutrition. This master’s degree does not provide eligibility to sit for the National Registration examination to become a registered dietitian, nor does it provide eligibility to apply to a dietetic internship. There are three tracks available: Clinical, Community, and Generalist. Students with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or another discipline who have met the listed prerequisites may also apply.

Track Descriptions and Required Courses

The following information outlines the requirements for each track in the MS in Human Nutrition.

Clinical Track

The clinical nutrition competencies developed by the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition were used as a guide to develop the curriculum for the clinical concentration. In this concentration, students will develop advanced competency so they may:

• Utilize theoretical and skill-based knowledge of nutrition science needed for advanced clinical nutrition practice.
• Apply advanced clinical nutrition assessment and diagnostic skills.
• Develop advanced nutrition intervention and monitoring skills.
• Utilize methodological and analytic skills necessary to acquire, analyze, and apply data to interpret the scientific literature and practice the principles of evidence based medicine.
• Critically evaluate nutrition research and apply results to practice.

Community Track

The concentration in community nutrition meets the Advanced Practice Guidelines for Community Nutrition and Public Health Nutrition Practice; 3rd ed. Public Health/Community Nutrition Practice Group, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Association of State Public Health Nutritionists; 2015. In this concentration, students will develop advanced competency so they may:

• Demonstrate an understanding of biological and physiological processes that affect nutrient needs of individuals and populations across the lifespan.
• Analyze and interpret data needed to perform the core public health functions of assessment, assurance, and policy development.
• Develop, implement, sustain, and evaluate systems of care or theory-based programs and interventions (preventive and treatment) for improving the nutritional health of populations.
• Advocate for policy and environmental supports in both public and private sectors.
• Utilize cultural competency skills to develop programs and services that are responsive to the cultural, social, linguistic and ethnic diversity of the community.

Generalist Track

Some students are not sure which direction their career in nutrition will take. Students can stipulate no concentration on their application. These students will receive a degree in Human Nutrition without a concentration. We call this track the Generalist Track. This track provides the greatest flexibility when selecting electives. Students will develop advanced competency so they may:

• Demonstrate an understanding of biological and physiological processes that affect nutrient needs of individuals and populations across the lifespan.
• Acquire, analyze, and apply data to interpret the scientific literature and practice the principles of evidence based medicine or utilize Best Practices.
• Critically evaluate nutrition research and apply results to practice.

Electives

Electives must be approved by the student′s academic advisor.

Prior Coursework (Prerequisites)

If you received your bachelor’s degree from a nutrition program accredited by ACEND and received your verification statement, then you are eligible to apply to this program. Before you apply, read the admission requirements below.

If you received a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from a program that was not accredited by ACEND you must have completed the coursework listed below. These courses may have different names or numbers at your last institution. Keep in mind that transfer credit is not evaluated until after admission is granted. If you need to complete one or more of these courses prior to applying to the graduate program, you can complete the courses as a post-graduate/undergraduate student at UA.

The following courses should be completed before you apply to the graduate program:

• CH 104 Intro to Chemistry*
• CH 105 Intro to Organic Chemistry*
• BSC 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BSC 216 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• NHM 101 Intro to Human Nutrition
• NHM 201 Nutrition in the Life Cycle
• NHM 295 Intro to Research in Nutrition
• NHM 340 Community Nutrition
• NHM 361 Nutritional Biochemistry
• NHM 363 Applied Nutrition
• NHM 365 Intro to Food Service Management

* Course not offered through distance education at The University of Alabama.