Master of Science
in Nutrition

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Program Overview

The Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition provides opportunities for students to study in a multidisciplinary program that prepares them to address global nutritional issues such as hunger, food insecurity, and prevention of diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.  The MS Nutrition is designed for Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN) who want to complete their masters in nutrition, students from nutrition and dietetics seeking to complete their master’s and become Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN), and students with non-nutrition and dietetics backgrounds who hold a BS degree desiring to advance their nutrition, health, wellness, and fitness knowledge.  The program offers three tracks for completion: Combined Master’s Dietetic Internship, Thesis, and Non-thesis. The primary objectives of the MS Nutrition are to:

  • Prepare graduates to recognize the spectrum of global nutrition challenges affecting various population subgroups.
  • Provide a graduate nutrition program of excellence focused on the study of human nutritional issues with emphasis on the needs of rural populations and their concerns at the local, national, and global level.Provide a graduate nutrition program of excellence focused on the study of human nutritional issues with emphasis on the needs of rural populations and their concerns at the local, national, and global level.
  • Prepare competent graduates in the discipline of human nutrition, with the expertise and skills to improve nutrition, health, wellness, and the quality of life for individuals and families.
  • Conduct intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary research to improve the nutrition, health, wellness, and the quality of life of rural populations and various communities.

After completing this program, students will be ready to advance the knowledge in nutrition, recognize how nutrition impacts health and well-being of individuals, and utilize their professional preparation and personal potential to improve the health of individuals and families.

Program Options

  • Thesis – MS
    • 30 semester credit hours of classes
    • 6 semester credit hours dedicated to a research thesis
  • Non-Thesis – MS
    • 36 semester credit hours of classes
    • Completion of a capstone project
  • Combined Master’s Dietetic Internship – MS/DI (designed for students who desire to take the credentialing exam to become Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, RD/RDN).
    • 30 semester credit hours
    • Practicum/Internship experiences with completion of a minimum of 1000 hours

Degree Requirements

Degree Sequences

PVAMU’s MS degree in Nutrition offers:

  • Opportunities for assistantships to promising students for pursuing the program.
  • Close mentorship and support from experienced and respected faculty.
  • Research experience that involves fieldwork and real-world applications.
  • Courses use latest technologies and prepare students for their professional growth.
  • Track completion within 18 months.

Admission to the program is open to anyone who meets the general admissions requirements for graduate study at Prairie View A&M University, and the program’s specific requirement of an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.0 scale or 3.00 on the last 60 SCH for regular degree status.

Applicants must submit the following materials along with a completed online graduate application and non-refundable application fee:

  • Official undergraduate degree transcript(s) and any graduate transcripts.
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons in the field of applicant’s academic major or area of concentration.
  • International Applicant English Proficiency Requirements: TOEFL: 550 paper-based; 79 internet-based; IELTS: 6.0
  • A 1000-word statement of purpose describing academic goals and professional interests.

Please note that these are minimum requirements necessary for consideration and do not guarantee admission and/or funding.

Application Deadlines

Status Priority Deadlines Standard Deadlines
Domestic applicants February 1st for Fall semester,
September 1st for Spring semester		 May 1st for Fall semester,
November 1st for Spring semester
International applicants February 1st for Fall semester,
July 1st for Spring semester		 May 1st for Fall semester,
September 1st for Spring semester

Admission to the Combined Master’s Dietetic Internship Track – MS/DI

We accept applicants into the Combined Master’s Dietetic Internship Track – MS/DI through 3 different routes:

1. DICAS Matching and Selection Process

Applicants should review the Dietetics Internship page at
https://www.pvamu.edu/cafnr/homepage/academics/nutrition/dietetics-internship/
to apply through the DICAS (Dietetics Internship Centralized Application System) process.

Dietetics Internship – DICAS Application

  • Opens: August 5, 2024
  • Fall Application Cycle (Early Acceptance Timeline)
    • Due: October 1, 2024
  • Spring Application Cycle (Standard Acceptance Timeline)
    • Due: February 15, 2025

After you are matched and selected, you have to also apply to the master’s portion of the track through the Graduate School.

2. Direct Admission without DICAS Matching and Selection Process

Students who graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics program at Prairie View A&M University with a verification statement and qualify will be directly accepted into the Combined Master’s Dietetics Internship Track and will not be required to complete the DICAS Matching and Selection Process. A Fall or Spring semester application is accepted by applying through the Graduate School.

3. Advanced Degree or Starting with the Thesis or Non-Thesis Track

Applicants with prior advanced degree (MS) in nutrition or related degrees in food science, public health, etc., or earned an advanced degree in a non-related area, i.e., business, sociology, psychology, etc. who are qualified will be admitted to take only the internship portion of the Combined Master’s Dietetics Internship Track as non-degree seeking to take the credentialing exam.

Students who are already admitted into the Thesis or Non-thesis Track and along the way decide that they would want to become Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN), may also choose to apply to the internship after completing all their master’s courses.

All applicants admitted through this route must have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics and obtained a verification statement at their undergraduate studies prior to applying for the internship portion only through the Graduate School either for the Fall semester or Spring semester.

Admission to the Thesis or Non-thesis Track

Applicants can apply to our master’s Thesis or Non-thesis Track by submitting their application through the Graduate School.

Apply through the Graduate School

Information on current tuition and assistantships can be found on the main Graduate Admissions website at https://www.pvamu.edu/fmsv/treasury-services/.

Learn from the Best

Questions?

About the Program?

Janet Antwi, Ph.D., RPh, RD, LD, ACUE
Associate Professor
Phone: (936) 261-2536
Email: jaantwi@pvamu.edu

About the Department

Kwaku Addo, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Program and Department Head
Phone: (936) 261-2523
Email: kwaddo@pvamu.edu

About Graduate Admissions?

Office of Graduate Admissions
Alvin I. Thomas Building, Suite 003
Phone: (936) 261-3518
Email: gradstudies@pvamu.edu

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