Nutrition and Food Systems MS

Overview

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems is fully online and offers graduates opportunities to pursue careers in dietetics, child nutrition programs, food and nutrition services management, and community nutrition. Students in the dietetic internship have graduate-level education and research integrated with supervised practice activities to prepare entry-level dietitians who work to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities. Graduate coursework is coordinated with the rotations in this accredited dietetic internship (and external accredited dietetic internships). Research is focused on activities and projects completed during the internship, and courses are taken in the three main areas of practice, including medical nutrition therapy, food systems management, and community nutrition. Additionally, courses in areas such as leadership, nutrition counseling and education, and health promotion complement the traditional areas of dietetics, creating a well-rounded food and nutrition professional. Students not pursuing a dietetic internship also have opportunities to pursue careers in dietetics, school food service, child nutrition program management, food and nutrition services management, and community nutrition. The curriculum provides students with an understanding of research design and advanced knowledge in nutrition and/or food systems management.

Campus: Online 100%

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements detailed in Admissions Requirements and Procedures , applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Statement of Purpose
2. Résumé
3. Three Letters of Recommendation

Students who wish to pursue the Dietetic Internship must also meet the following requirements and submit the following documents:

1. Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement

2. Undergraduate DPD curriculum minimum GPA of 3.00 and science GPA of 2.7 with no grade lower than a “C”

3. Be admitted to a dietetic internship accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

In addition to the requirements detailed in General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information , students in the Southern Miss Dietetic Internship must also pass a criminal background check and obtain professional liability insurance.

Course Requirements (30-33 hours)

• SKN 680 - Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Kinesiology and Nutrition 3 hrs.
• SKN 681 - Applying Evidence-Based Practice in Kinesiology and Nutrition 3 hrs.

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• SKN 682 - Research and Practice in Kinesiology and Nutrition 3 hrs. OR
• NFS 698 - Thesis 1-6 hrs.

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• NFS 662 - Critical Issues in Local and Global Health 3 hrs.
• NFS 713 - Nutrition Education: Theory, Research, and Practice 3 hrs.

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• NFS 620 - Nutrition Assessment and Documentation 3 hrs. *AND
• NFS 630 - Food Systems Management 3 hrs. *AND
• NFS 640 - Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy 3 hrs. *AND
• NFS 650 - Advanced Practice in Nutrition and Food Systems I 3 hrs. *AND
• NFS 660 - Advanced Practice in Nutrition and Food Systems II 3 hrs. *OR
• Advisor approved Electives (15 hrs.)

• *Required for Dietetic Interns