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Master of Science with a major in Health Sciences

Program description
The Master of Science with a major in Health Sciences and a concentration in Nutrition is a 36-semester hour program. This program does not meet requirements for becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). However, if a student desires to meet educational requirements to become a RD, it is possible to complete the required dietetics coursework while enrolled in the graduate program.

Major Objectives for the Program Include:

Preparing graduates to formulate research questions, organize and test research problems, and evaluate research study results
Fostering critical thinking, inquiry, and professional leadership
Providing graduates with advanced study in nutrition
Enhancing career development
Providing the framework for advanced degree study

Program Options
Students complete a M.S. in Health Sciences with a specialization in nutrition and may choose a general program with several electives or a professional practice option that combines the M.S. program with a certificate in Public Health, an emphasis in nutrition counseling/education, or an emphasis in sports nutrition.

Curriculum for M.S. in Health Sciences with a Specialization in Nutrition
The curriculum includes core health science courses, nutrition courses, elective courses and a thesis, master's project, or portfolio capstone project.

Health Science Core (6 semester hours)
HHS 6000: Research Methods for the Health and Human Science Professions (3)
HHS 8000: Trends Affecting Health Policies, Practices and Laws (3)

Nutrition Courses (15 semester hours)
Nutr 6101: Nutrition Research Methods (3)
Nutr 6102: Nutrition Intervention (3)
Nutr 6104: Advanced Normal Nutrition I (3)
Nutr 6106: Advanced Normal Nutrition II (3)
Nutr 7101: Nutrition Issues (3) OR Nutr 7950: Advanced Topics in Medical Nutrition Therapy (3)

Elective Courses (9 semester hours)
Chosen in Consultation with Graduate Program Committee or Faculty Advisor

Capstone Project (Minimum of 6 semester hours)
Nutr 7995:Master's Project or Nutr 7999: Thesis Research or Nutr. 7990: Portfolio Seminar and Elective

Curricula for M.S. in Health Sciences with Professional Practice Options
The professional practice option provides students with an opportunity to select one of the following specialty areas of practice within the basic curriculum for an M.S. in Health Sciences with a Specialization in Nutrition. Professional practice options that include certificate programs require acceptance into those programs as well as into the M.S. degree program. Courses taken outside the Division of Nutrition may require additional prerequisite coursework.

MS in Health Sciences with a Certificate in Public Health

Health Science Core (6 semester hours)
HHS 6000: Research Methods for the Health and Human Science Professions (3)
HHS 8000: Trends Affecting Health Policies, Practices and Laws (3)

Public Health Courses (Elective Courses) (9 semester hours)
PH 7010: Foundations of Public Health Administration & Policy (3)
STAT 7010: Biostatistics for Public Health (3)
PH 7011: Epidemiology for Public Health (3)

Capstone Project (Minimum of 6 semester hours)
Nutr 7995:Master's Project OR Nutr 7999: Thesis Research OR Nutr. 7990: Portfolio Seminar and Public Health Elective*

*Choose one of the following courses as a PH elective:
PH 7012: Health Planning and Program Development (3)
PH 7013: Health Care Quality Issues and Strategies (3)
PH 7016: Introduction to Health Promotion (3)
PH 7130: Law and Public Health Practice (3)
PH 7140: Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3)
PH 7150: Environmental Health (3)
PH 7160: Introduction to Business and Health Care (3)
PH 7170: Using Research to Develop Health Policy (3)
PH 7250: Health Care Finance and Resource Management (3)
PH 7500: Health Communication (3)
PH 7521: Evaluation Research (3)
PH 7530: Prevention Effectiveness and Economic Evaluation (3)

MS in Health Sciences with an Emphasis in Nutrition Counseling/Education

Health Science Core (6 semester hours)
HHS 6000: Research Methods for the Health and Human Science Professions (3)
HHS 8000: Trends Affecting Health Policies, Practices and Laws (3)

Counseling/Education Courses (Elective Courses) (9 semester hours)
CPS 6410: Interpersonal Skills I (3)
Counseling/Education Elective (3)*
Counseling/Education Elective (3)*

Capstone Project (Minimum of 6 semester hours)
Nutr 7990: Portfolio Seminar (3)
Counseling/Education Elective (3)*

* Choose three of the following courses as counseling /education electives or other electives with approval of the faculty advisor:

Counseling and Psychological Services:
CPS 7260: Counseling Systems and Interventions (3)
CPS 7500: Individual and Family Over the LifeSpan (3)
CPS 7540: Consultation in Professional Counseling (3)
CPS 8360: Psychological Change Strategies (3)
CPS 8430: Interpersonal Skills II (3); Prerequisite: CPS 6410
CPS 8500: Stress Management (3)

Educational Psychology:
EPY 7080: Psychology of Learning/Learners (3)
EPY 8070: Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning (3)

HHS:
HHS 7500: Health Communications (3)

Instructional Technology:
IT 7230: Introduction to Technology Mediated Instruction (3)
IT 7360: Technology for Educators (3)
IT 8440: eLearning Environments (3)

MS in Health Sciences with an Emphasis in Sports Nutrition

Health Science Core (9 semester hours)
HHS 6000: Research Methods for the Health and Human Science Professions (3)
HHS 8000: Trends Affecting Health Policies, Practices and Laws (3)

Nutrition Courses (18 semester hours)
Nutr 6101: Nutrition Research Methods (3)
Nutr 6102: Nutrition Intervention (3)
Nutr 6104: Advanced Normal Nutrition I (3)
Nutr 6106: Advanced Normal Nutrition II (3)
Nutr 7101: Nutrition Issues (3) OR Nutr 7950: Advanced Topics in Medical Nutrition Therapy (3)

Sports Nutrition/Exercise Courses (Elective Courses) (9 semester hours)
Nutr 7106: Advanced Sports Nutrition (3)
KH 7500: Physiology of Exercise (3)
KH 7620: Clinical Exercise Physiology (3) or KH 7550: Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription (3)

Capstone Project (Minimum of 6 semester hours)
Nutr 7995: Master's Project OR Nutr 7999: Thesis Research OR Nutr 7990: Portfolio Seminar and Sports Nutrition Elective*

*Choose one of the following courses as a sports nutrition elective or other electives with approval of the faculty advisor:

KH 7620: Clinical Exercise Physiology (3)
KH 7550: Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription (3)

Expenses

Details about expenses can be found on the Tuition & Fees web site. This information is the official information for the University and includes all updates.
Mandatory Student Fee for all students is $463.00/semester for fall and spring semesters.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available which cover partial or full tuition costs (not fees) and provide a semester stipend. Students who receive full tuition remission must enroll in the mandatory health insurance program or provide proof of insurance.

Application Requirements
The selection of potential degree candidates for the Master of Science degree program in Health Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition is competitive. Applicants must be graduates of accredited institutions with baccalaureate degrees, have acceptable grade point averages and scores on admission tests, and show potential for academic development and professional leadership.

Admissions Criteria:

College-level courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Additionally, a biochemistry course (Nutr 3700 or equivalent) and a normal nutrition and metabolism course (Nutr 3500 or equivalent) are prerequisites for graduate coursework but may be taken after acceptance into the graduate program. The biochemistry and nutrition/metabolism courses must have been completed within 10 years prior to beginning the graduate program if they are not taken as a part of the graduate program. A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 in 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.

Students interested in professional practice options that include certificate programs must also apply to and be accepted in those programs.

Application Forms and Process

(Application forms available below)

Applications for admission must be received no later than May 15 for students wishing to begin during the Fall Semester, no later than October 1 for students wishing to begin during the Spring Semester, and no later than April 1 for students wishing to begin during Summer Semester.

Required Application Materials

There are several ways to apply to the Masters Program with a concentration in Nutrition. 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 either apply online or 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

Comments from Students

“I am so glad I chose to get my Masters degree from Georgia State University. After graduating from the nutrition program at GSU, I felt prepared, competent, and ready to enter into the working world of dietetics. One of the greatest strengths of GSU is the professors’ knowledge, love of nutrition, and willingness to help students out of class. The nutrition program at GSU gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to pass the Registration Exam and to create my own business in dietetics! I am currently in private practice providing personalized nutrition counseling to clients as well as corporate workshops and speaking engagements. I feel like I’m really making a difference by applying what I have learned in my educational career with my clients.”

Jennifer M. Dannelly, MS, RD, LD, Owner, Dannelly Nutrition Counseling, LLC, Niceville, FL, MS, 2003; Dietetic Internship, 2004

"Georgia State has given me the education, opportunity, and skills to become a successful
nutrition professional. The master's program at Georgia State has given me the tools to evaluate scientific research and how to apply the information to daily practice. The faculty at Georgia State are a wealth of knowledge in the diverse field of nutrition. They are always more than willing to help their students succeed."

Emily K. Schmidt, MS, RD, LDN, Dietitian, Renal Care of Erie, Erie, PA, M.S., 2003.

“Since completing my Dietetic Internship and Master’s Program at Georgia State, I have worked in several areas of nutrition including research, clinical and geriatrics. The diverse curriculum and stellar faculty at Georgia State made the transition into the professional environment easy and prepared me for success in any area of nutrition I choose to explore.”

Lori Ennis, MS, RD, LD, Corporate Dietitian, Ethica Health and Retirement Communities, Atlanta, GA, Dietetic Internship, 2000, M.S, 2001.

"The education and experience I received as a graduate student at Georgia State gave me the tools needed to succeed in the field of nutrition and achieve my professional goals."

Wendi Frances, M.S., RD, Eating Disorder Specialist/Owner, Private Practice, Charlotte, NC, M.S., 1996