Integrated (Coordinated) Program

Program Description
The Integrated Program (IP) meets the requirements for a M.S. degree and for taking the registration examination for dietitians. It is a four to six semester program of didactic course work and supervised practice. The supervised practice component has a general focus with an urban health emphasis. Students have the option of completing a project or a thesis during an additional two semesters. Students must complete a minimum of 54 credit hours. The Integrated Program requires additional hours for students who enter the program prior to meeting the undergraduate coursework required for a Didactic Program in dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetic Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). (For more information on the DPD requirement click here). The Integrated Program is currently granted provisional accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606; 312/899-5400.

Learning Outcomes for the Integrated Program
At the time of graduation, students receiving a graduate degree in health sciences with a concentration in nutrition and an emphasis in Urban Health and Nutrition (Integrated Program) will:

Demonstrate technical and scientific oral and written communication skills through the use of current and emerging technologies to enhance the practice and delivery of nutrition care in a professional and ethical manner.
Comprehend the interrelationship among macro- and micronutrient intakes as they impact human health in normal and disease states.
Integrate scientific, psychological, social and economic aspects of the environment and examine how they individually and collectively affect food and nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, pleasurable eating, and food policy in diverse urban population groups.
Utilize critical thinking skills in the design, interpretation, application, and ethical conduct of research.
Based on the efficacy and strength of scientific evidence, collect data, assess nutrition status, determine nutrient requirements, develop and implement interventions for individuals and groups in a variety of practice-based settings, and document in appropriate records.
Apply knowledge of management principles and systems in planning, monitoring, and evaluating dietetic services and practice for effectiveness, efficiency, and cost-containment as part of quality improvement.
Evaluate contemporary principles of health policy, laws, regulations, and costs in the US and other countries to better understand the essential components of delivering health and nutrition services in urban and other settings.
Behave professionally and ethically in dietetic service and practice and demonstrate an ability to participate in and conduct program evaluation.

Curriculum
The curriculum for the Integrated Program includes core health science courses, nutrition courses, supervised practice experiences, and a capstone experience. The classroom component of the program combines a strong content knowledge base with experience in the research process. The supervised practice component provides a minimum of 900 hours of practice experience in the areas of clinical nutrition (acute care, critical care, renal dialysis, long-term care, specialty), food service systems, and community nutrition (senior centers, schools, health fairs, community and out-patient clinics, and state and national health-focused organizations), and approximately 150-200 hours in areas of interest or associated with graduate coursework. The three capstone experience options are a thesis, a project, or a reflective portfolio.

Courses

Health Sciences Core (6)

HHS 6000 Research Methods for the Health and Human Science Professions (3)
HHS 8000 Trends Affecting Health Policies, Practices and Laws (3)

Specialization Curriculum (24)

NUTR 6002 Supervised Practice I (6)
NUTR 6101 Nutrition Research Methods (3)
NUTR 6102 Nutrition Intervention (3) OR
NUTR 4300 Nutrition Intervention I and NUTR 4400 Nutrition Intervention II
NUTR 6104 Advanced Normal Nutrition I (3)
NUTR 6105 Nutrition, Culture and Life Cycle (3) OR
NUTR 4000 Food and Culture (3) and NUTR 3600 Normal Nutrition through the Lifecycle (3)
NUTR 6106 Advanced Normal Nutrition II (3)
NUTR 7101 Nutrition Issues (3) OR
NUTR 7950 Advanced Topics in Medical Nutrition Therapy (3)1

Thesis/Nonthesis Option (6)

NUTR 7995 Master’s Project OR
NUTR 7999 Master’s Thesis OR
NUTR 7990 Portfolio Seminar + additional 3-credit elective

Courses Required by the Program beyond Degree Requirements
[This section includes courses that can be satisfied in an undergraduate curriculum and additional practice hours beyond the typical institutional requirements for the M.S. degree.]

NUTR 3700 Medical Biochemical Principles (3)
HHS 3400/HHS 6400 Spanish for the Health and Human Sciences (3)
NUTR 3150 Food Science I (4)
NUTR 3160 Food Science II (4)
NUTR 3500 Nutrition and Metabolism (3)
NUTR 4200 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)
NUTR 4250 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3)
NUTR 4500/7500 Organization and Management of Food Service (3)
NUTR 4600/7600 Food Service Systems (4)
NUTR 6003 Supervised Practice II (6)
NUTR 6004 Supervised Practice III (6)
NUTR 6201 Food Safety (3) OR
Undergraduate course in microbiology

Expenses
The estimated costs of the program, not including tuition and University fees, are:

Application Fee $50.00 (one time expense)
ADA Membership (optional) $42.00 (annual)
Greater Atlanta Dietetic Association Membership (optional) $10.00 (annual)

Click here for information on Tuition and Fees.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to students. These positions cover all or part of tuition costs (not fees) and provide a stipend. Students who receive full tuition remission must enroll in the mandatory health insurance program or provide proof of insurance. Financial aid is also available.

Admissions Criteria
The selection of candidates for the Integrated Program is competitive. Applicants must hold baccalaureate degrees from accredited institutions, have acceptable grade point averages and scores on admission tests, and show potential for academic development and professional leadership.

Application Requirements

College-level courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. A biochemistry course (NUTR 3700 or equivalent) and a normal nutrition and metabolism course (NUTR 3500 or equivalent) must have been completed within 10 years prior to beginning the program, if they are not taken as part of the Integrated Program.
A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 for all college-level course work
A minimum score of 1000 on the GRE (verbal and quantitative scores)
Two letters of recommendation
A statement of professional goals

Application Forms and Process
(Application forms available below)
Completed applications for admission must be received no later than May 15 for matriculation in August of the same year.

Required Application Materials
Application to the Integrated Program (IP) requires admission to the M.S. program and completion of a supplemental application form. There are several ways to access the M.S. application. You may apply online, you may print/download the application materials, or you may request a printed application packet from the Office of Academic Assistance. Please go to the College of Health and Human Sciences Graduate Admissions Page to apply online or to download application materials. If you do not apply online, application packets should be requested from and mailed to:

Office of Academic Assistance
College of Health and Human Sciences
Georgia State University
P. O. Box 3995
Atlanta, GA 30302-3995

Click here for the supplemental IP application. If you submit your M.S. application by mail, please include the supplemental application in your packet. If you submit your M.S. application online, please send the supplemental IP application to the above address.