Nov 27, 2024

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Human Nutrition [M.S.]

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Revised Program [Fall 2021]

Advance your knowledge of evidence-based nutrition with superb faculty and gain a competitive edge with the online Master of Science in Human Nutrition. The faculty have years of experience teaching online graduate courses because we were one of the first M.S. in Human Nutrition degrees to be offered online in the U.S. Our accomplished alumni work in health care, education, public health, human performance, business, and many other settings. This degree does not lead to the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential, but the Dietetics [M.S.] degree is recommended for those seeking the RDN credential. Out-of-state students receive Michigan resident (in-state) tuition rates for all online EMU courses.

A total of 30-36 graduate-level credit hours are required to complete the M.S. in Human Nutrition program. Total credits are dependent upon the student’s individualized Program of Study. A minimum of 30 credits is required for the thesis option, and a minimum of 36 credits is required for the non-thesis research project or research writing options.

The M.S. in Human Nutrition program achieves its mission through:

Providing an exceptional distance learning environment;
Providing student-centered learning opportunities;
Promoting evidence-based knowledge and skills; and
Enhancing students’ critical thinking skills by collaborating with faculty to develop and complete research projects and professional publications.

Career Opportunities

This degree will enhance your current degree and provide opportunities in health care, education, public health, human performance, business, and other related fields. In addition, if you are a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, this degree allows you to obtain Continuing Professional Education toward maintaining your credential.

Important Information

Human Nutrition Infographic

Human Nutrition Student Handbook

Online Education for Out-of-State Students

This program is available online. International applicants should check with International Admissions or program advisor before applying.

Program Admission

Graduate School Application

After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.

The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.

Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

Personal Statement for why you are applying for a Master of Science in Human Nutrition
Two letters of recommendation from non-relatives

School Information

Health Sciences | Colleen Croxall, Ph.D., Director | 313 Marshall, 734.487.4096, ccroxall@emich.edu

Advisor Information

Alice Jo Rainville, Ph.D., RD, CHE, SNS, FAND, 335 Marshall, 734.487.0430. arainvill@emich.edu

Prerequisite Courses

Taken at EMU or an approved equivalent course at another university.

A grade of “C” or better in:

Anatomy and Physiology (EMU equivalent EXSC 269 or BIO 326 )
Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry (EMU equivalent CHEM 120 ) OR Foundations of Biochemistry (EMU equivalent CHEM 351 )
Elementary Statistics (EMU equivalent SOCL 250 or STAT 170 )

A grade of “B” or better in:

Principles of Human Nutrition (EMU equivalent DTC 202 )
Nutrient Metabolism - Macronutrients (EMU equivalent DTC 302 )
Nutrition of the Lifecycle (EMU equivalent DTC 372 )
Community Nutrition/Nutrition Therapy III (EMU equivalent DTC 430W )

Note | Students who do not have a degree in nutrition or dietetics will need two nutrition courses with a grade of B or above before taking any graduate courses.

Degree Requirements: 30-36 hours

A total of 30-36 credit hours are required to complete the program. Total credits are dependent upon the individualized program of study. A minimum of 30 credits are required for the thesis option and a minimum of 36 credits are required for the research project or research writing option. If there are prerequisite deficiencies in your undergraduate degree or if a course needs to be repeated, additional credit hours may be required.

Department Courses: 18-34 hours

Required Courses: 9 hours
DTC 500 - Research Design and Methods 3 hrs
DTC 618 - Advanced Topics in Nutrition 3 hrs
DTC 648 - Methods and Strategies for Community-Based Nutrition Services 3 hrs
Supporting Nutrition and Foods: 3-19 hours
DTC 504 - Sports Nutrition 3 hrs
DTC 509 - Nutrition Support 3 hrs
DTC 518 - Interdisciplinary Team Functions 3 hrs
DTC 528 - Functional and Integrative Nutrition 3 hrs
DTC 538 - Outcomes Management 3 hrs
DTC 602 - Phytonutrients 3 hrs
DTC 608 - Advanced Topics in Foods 3 hrs
DTC 628 - Medical Nutrition Therapy 3 hrs
DTC 638 - Cultural Nutrition and Nutritional Ecology 3 hrs
DTC 658 - Nutrition and Aging 3 hrs
DTC 659 - Development of the Entrepreneurial Dietitian 3 hrs
DTC 668 - Proteins, Lipids and Carbohydrates 3 hrs
DTC 669 - Vitamins and Minerals 3 hrs
Course options that must be arranged with a program advisor
DTC 590 - Special Topics 1 hr
DTC 591 - Special Topics 2 hrs
DTC 592 - Special Topics 3 hrs
DTC 597 - Independent Study 1 hr
DTC 598 - Independent Study 2 hrs
DTC 599 - Independent Study 3 hrs
DTC 607 - Colloquium 2 hrs
DTC 679 - Special Topics 1 hr
DTC 680 - Special Topics 2 hrs
DTC 681 - Special Topics 3 hrs
DTC 683 - Workshop 2 hrs
DTC 686 - Practicum 1 hr
DTC 687 - Practicum 2 hrs
DTC 688 - Practicum 3 hrs
DTC 689 - Practicum 4 hrs
DTC 697 - Independent Study 1 hr
DTC 698 - Independent Study 2 hrs
DTC 699 - Independent Study 3 hrs
Culminating Experience: 3-6 hours

Select from either Option I, Option II, or Option III
Option I: Thesis

The thesis option involves a research study that is planned, executed, and written in thesis format. This option includes three classes (six credit hours). Each student must have a committee of at least two people; the thesis chair must have a Ph.D. and be an EMU faculty. More specifically, the thesis consists of a research study that requires 5 chapters detailing the study. Statistical analysis is the responsibility of the student. Chapters 1-3 are a proposal of the study, written in Thesis I. Chapter 1 is the introduction, chapter 2 is the review of the literature, and chapter 3 is the methodology (how you will do the study). Thesis II involves data collection and statistical analysis of the data. Chapters 4 (Results) and 5 (Conclusions) are written. Thesis III involves dissemination of the research through a poster presentation or an article in a peer-reviewed journal.
DTC 691 - Thesis I 2 hrs
DTC 692 - Thesis II 3 hrs
DTC 693 - Thesis III 1 hr
Option II: Research

The research option is a three class series (six credit hours) working with one professor on a project that the student and professor agree on. More specifically, you may follow the same format as the thesis without the complicated statistics. You may also choose something completely different. For example, one student has designed a module to train future students on autism. In addition, students are guided toward submitting manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals.
DTC 694 - Research I 2 hrs
DTC 695 - Research II 3 hrs
DTC 696 - Research III 1 hr
Option III: Research Writing

The research writing option is one class (three credit hours) focused on biomedical research writing. Students complete a series of assignments in research writing; complete a newsletter article, and a short manuscript that is distributed electronically to faculty and staff in the School of Health Sciences at the end of the semester.
DTC 601 - Research Writing 3 hrs

Cognate Courses: 3-19 hours

Required Course: 3 hours
STAT 502 - Introductory Statistics for Graduate Students 3 hrs
Supporting Courses: 0-16 hours

Course options outside the Human Nutrition Department must be arranged with the program advisor.
AGIN 518 - Introduction to Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia 2 hrs
AGIN 523 - Designing Activities for People with Dementia 2 hrs
AGIN 524 - Families and Dementia 2 hrs
AGIN 528 - Advanced Issues in Dementia Care 2 hrs
EDPS 600 - Human Development 3 hrs
EXSC 512 - Endurance Training and Performance 3 hrs
HLAD 525 - Quality Improvement in Health Care 3 hrs
LAW 503 - Law, Enterprise and Ethics 3 hrs
MGMT 570 - New Venture Creation 3 hrs
MGMT 617 - Social Entrepreneurship 3 hrs
NURS 622 - Teaching in Health Care Systems: Curriculum/Program Development and Evaluation 3 hrs
QUAL 556 - Human Aspects of Continuous Improvement 3 hrs
SMGT 560 - Ethics in Sport Management 3 hrs
SMGT 665 - Sport and Exercise Psychology 3 hrs