Programs in Nutrition

Programs of Study
Admission Requirements
Application Deadline
Degree Requirements
Curriculum
NON-DEGREE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS DESIRING REGISTERED DIETITIAN STATUS
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
Curriculum

Department of Health Sciences

Master of Science Degree Programs in Nutrition

The graduate programs offer advanced study in human nutrition. As described below, MS programs are available for students who do or do not have undergraduate preparation in nutrition. Some programs incorporate the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and/or a Dietetic Internship (DI). The DPD and the DI are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040, x5400. A car may be necessary to get to the DI site. The DI is a 29-week, 6-credit course requiring payment of tuition. In addition, a $1,000 fee must be paid to the site.

Programs of Study

Students can pursue a two-semester MS degree or an MS/DI. Students interested in the Registered Dietitian credential and a career in clinical nutrition/counseling should pursue the MS/DI. In this program, the MS must be completed before entry into the DI. Specific admission requirements are listed below. The 29-week, full-time DI begins in either June or January following completion of the MS program.

Students can pursue a four-semester MS degree or, for those interested in obtaining an MS degree and credentialing as a Registered Dietitian, the DPD/MS+DI program. In the latter program, students maintaining satisfactory academic progress in coursework will receive the appropriate American Dietetic Association (ADA) verification statement and will be pre-selected into the DI. Specific admission requirements are listed below. The 29-week, full-time DI begins in January or June following completion of the five-semester DPD/MS program.

All programs prepare graduates to critically evaluate and implement the results of current research, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Students study with faculty involved in research, education, administration, professional practice, communication, and consulting. As part of their program, they develop a research proposal and complete an individually designed practicum. Practicum sites have included a nutrition support team at a large urban hospital, a private practice focused on nutrition for athletes, a clinical research center at a large teaching hospital, an outpatient cardiovascular clinic at a suburban teaching hospital, and the offices of a nationally distributed nutrition newsletter.

The DI has clinical sites at major teaching and community hospitals in the greater Boston area. Please be advised that students may need a car to get to a clinical site. The clinical sites provide excellent opportunities for students to observe and participate in a wide variety of specialties, such as nutrition
support, pediatrics, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, diabetes, surgical care, outpatient counseling, food service, and management.

Depending on their program, graduates pursue careers in a wide variety of settings. Clinical environments could include medical and surgical services of hospitals, outpatient clinics, cardiac rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Graduates could also work in the fitness/wellness industry, the pharmaceutical industry, public health, or as consultants to professional sports teams, corporations, and restaurants.

TOP OF PAGE

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to complete a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. All applicants must complete the Graduate Record Exam General Test with a minimum score of 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections (institutional code 3028).

Prerequisite courses in nutrition and the biological and chemical sciences must be completed at a four-year college or university. In general, credits from community colleges are not accepted.

Students should complete the BU Sargent College Graduate School Application, which requires submission of three letters of reference, preferably from individuals who are familiar with the student’s academic ability and/or professional work experience. Prerequisite courses include one-semester, stand-alone courses, including a lab, in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physiology. Additionally, one-semester courses in statistics,
biochemistry, introductory nutrition, life cycle nutrition, and medical nutrition therapy must have been completed. Minor deficiencies in prerequisite coursework may be completed during graduate studies, but this may extend the period of graduate study.

Students are encouraged to apply even if they have not completed all prerequisite coursework. If they are accepted into the program, they will then have a faculty advisor to help with selection of appropriate prerequisite courses.

Students should apply using the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) national computer matching process. It is our policy that every student matched to our program will be guaranteed financial aid of $10,000–$15,000.

All applicants to the MS/DI program must complete a BU Sargent College Graduate School Application, an ADA Didactic Program Verification Statement, and an ADA Dietetic Internship Application. Students must submit the ADA recommendation forms only, not the BU Sargent College recommendation forms. ADA recommendation forms should be completed by individuals who are familiar with the student’s academic ability and/or professional work experience. Candidates must comply with all deadlines set by the ADA. The DI application can be found on the Dietetic Educators of Practitioners website. The DI participates in the ADA computer match through D&D Digital, 304 Main Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, 515-292-0490, dnd@sigler.com

Students should complete the BU Sargent College Graduate School Application, which requires submission of three letters of reference, preferably from individuals who are familiar with the student’s academic ability and/or professional work experience. Prerequisite courses include one-semester, stand-alone courses, including a lab, in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physiology. Courses in statistics and biochemistry are also required. Minor deficiencies in prerequisite coursework may be completed during graduate studies, but this may extend the period of graduate study.

Students are encouraged to apply even if they have not completed all prerequisite coursework. If they are accepted into the program, they will then have a faculty advisor to help with selection of appropriate prerequisite courses.

Students should complete the BU Sargent College Graduate School Application, which requires submission of three letters of reference, preferably from individuals who are familiar with the student’s academic ability and/or professional work experience. Prerequisite courses include one-semester, stand-alone courses, including a lab, in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physiology, and microbiology. Courses in writing, biochemistry, and statistics are also required. Minor deficiencies in prerequisite coursework may be completed during graduate studies, but this may extend the period of graduate study.

Students are encouraged to apply even if they have not completed all prerequisite coursework. If they are accepted into the program they will then have a faculty advisor to help with selection of appropriate prerequisite courses.

TOP OF PAGE

Application Deadline

The postmark deadline for submission of the Sargent College Graduate School Application and the DI application is February 15.

Degree Requirements

Students are eligible to receive a Master of Science degree upon completion of a minimum of 33 credits of coursework at the 700 level and above. At least 25 credits must be taken at Boston University as a degree candidate. Required courses for each program are listed below.

An overall grade point average of B (3.0) or higher must be attained in graduate classes. In graduate courses, no grade below C is acceptable for credit. No more than 8 credits of C or C+ work will be counted toward the MS degree and the acceptability of such grades in required courses is subject to faculty approval.

SAR HS 704 and 811 are graded on a pass/fail basis. Pass indicates B– or better work.

A student may complete any of the academic programs on a full- or part-time basis; the DI must be completed on a full-time basis. All programs must be completed within five years of matriculation.

Information specific to the DPD/MS+DI

The DPD/MS is a five-semester program. In the “Required Courses” section, courses are classified based upon whether they meet DPD requirements, MS requirements, or both. All DPD food and nutrition courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Requirements for completing the MS degree are given above. After satisfactory completion of the five-semester DPD/MS program students will receive a DPD verification statement and be awarded an MS degree. They can then apply to, and will be pre-selected into, the DI program. If they choose to accept the DI appointment, they cannot participate in the ADA National Computer Match. The DI begins in either January or June following successful completion of the DPD/MS. After satisfactory completion of the DI, which includes documentation of the completion of dietetic competencies and the MS/DI program evaluation, students will receive the DI verification statement.

Information specific to the DI

The DI is a six-credit, 29-week, full-time course requiring payment of tuition. In addition, interns must pay a nonrefundable $1,000 fee to their internship site during the first two weeks of the DI. After successful completion of the DI, the student will receive the appropriate ADA verification statement. At this time, the student will have met the core competencies for the supervised practice component of entry-level dietitian education programs as mandated by the ADA.

Curriculum

Required Courses for Nutrition Programs

All courses are 4 credits unless otherwise indicated. The DI begins following completion of all courses in the appropriate programs.

Two-Semester MS

Fall
SPH BS 703 Biostatistics
SAR HS 704 Issues in Clinical Nutrition Practice (2)
SAR HS 742 Nutrition for Disease Prevention
SAR HS 783 Metabolic Regulation
SAR HS 789 Clinical Nutrition Counseling (2)

Spring
SAR HS 775 Advanced Clinical Nutrition
SAR HS 776 Nutritional Epidemiology
SAR HS 785 Nutrition Research (2)
SAR HS 811 Practicum
Graduate elective (3–4)

MS/DI

Fall
SPH BS 703 Biostatistics
SAR HS 704 Issues in Clinical Nutrition Practice (2)
SAR HS 742 Nutrition for Disease Prevention
SAR HS 783 Metabolic Regulation
SAR HS 789 Clinical Nutrition Counseling (2)

Spring
SAR HS 775 Advanced Clinical Nutrition
SAR HS 776 Nutritional Epidemiology
SAR HS 785 Nutrition Research (2)
SAR HS 811 Practicum
Graduate elective (3–4)

The DI (HS 703) begins in June or January following completion of academic coursework. It is a 6-credit, 29-week, full-time class requiring payment of tuition. In addition, a $1,000 fee must be paid to the site.

Four-Semester MS

Fall I
SPH BS 703 Biostatistics
SAR HS 551 Human Nutrition Science
Graduate elective (3–4)

Spring I
SAR HS 561 Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle
SAR HS 776 Nutritional Epidemiology

Fall II
SAR HS 584 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
SAR HS 742 Nutrition for Disease Prevention
SAR HS 783 Metabolic Regulation
Graduate elective

Spring II
SAR HS 585 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
SAR HS 775 Advanced Clinical Nutrition
SAR HS 785 Nutrition Research (2)
SAR HS 811 Practicum

TOP OF PAGE

DPD/MS+DI

Fall I
SAR HS 551 Human Nutrition Science*
SMG SM 299 Management as a System (6)*
CAS PS 101 General Psychology*
SPH BS 703 Biostatistics+

Spring I
SAR HS 500 Food Science*
SAR HS 510 Management of Food Service Systems*
SAR HS 561 Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle*
SAR HS 542 Clinical Exercise Physiology*

Fall II
SAR HS 520 Applications of Food Service Management*
SAR HS 566 Community Nutrition*
SAR HS 584 Medical Nutrition Therapy I*
SAR HS 742 Nutrition for Disease Prevention+
SAR HS 789 Clinical Nutrition Counseling (2)+*

Spring II
SAR HS 585 Medical Nutrition Therapy II*
SAR HS 775 Advanced Clinical Nutrition+
SAR HS 776 Nutritional Epidemiology+
SAR HS 785 Nutrition Research (2)+*
SAR HS 811 Practicum+

Fall III
SAR HP 353 U.S. Health Care*
SAR HS 586 Applied Nutrition Care*
SAR HS 704 Issues in Clinical Nutrition Practice (2)+
SAR HS 783 Metabolic Regulation+
SAR SB 721 Social and Behavioral Sciences for
Public Health (3)+*
* DPD course
+ MS course

The DI (HS 703) begins in January or June following completion of academic coursework. It is a 6-credit, 29-week, full-time class requiring payment of tuition. In addition, a $1,000 fee must be paid to the site.

TOP OF PAGE

NON-DEGREE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS DESIRING REGISTERED DIETITIAN STATUS

Students can complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), the courses that are required to become a Registered Dietitian.

Admission Requirements

To apply, students must submit the BU Sargent College Graduate School Application, which requires submission of three letters of reference, an essay, and all undergraduate transcripts. Students must document completion of a bachelor’s degree and must have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Degree Requirements

Prerequisite courses include one-semester, standalone courses that include a lab in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physiology, and microbiology. Courses in writing, biochemistry, and statistics are also required. Minor deficiencies in prerequisite coursework may be completed during the program, but this may extend the period of study. Students are encouraged to apply even if they have not completed all prerequisite coursework. If they are accepted into the program, they will then have a faculty advisor to help with selection of appropriate prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses in nutrition, and the biological and chemical sciences must be completed at a four-year college or university. In general, credits from community colleges are not accepted.

Curriculum

Required courses for Didactic Program in Dietetics

All courses are 4 credits unless otherwise indicated.

Fall I
SAR HS 542 Exercise Physiology
SAR HS 551 Human Nutrition Science
CAS PS 101 General Psychology
SAR SM 299 Management (6)

Spring I
SAR HP 353 U.S. Health Care
SAR HS 500 Food Science
SAR HS 561 Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle
SPH SB 721 Social and Behavioral Sciences for Public Health (3)

Fall II
SAR HS 566 Community Nutrition
SAR HS 584 Medical Nutrition Therapy I

Spring II
SAR HS 510 Management of Food Service Systems
SAR HS 567 Methods in Nutrition Research (2)
SAR HS 585 Medical Nutrition Therapy II

Fall III
SAR HS 520 Applications of Food Service Management
SAR HS 586 Applied Nutrition Care

TOP OF PAGE

Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

19 November 2009
Boston University
Questions
Credits