Nutrition and Food Systems MS

Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)

Credit Hours:

Total Hours: 33-36

Cost per Credit Hour:

$519.12

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Completion Time:

1-3 years *pending hours enrolled

University Accreditation:

SACSCOC

Special Requirements:

1. Statement of Purpose 2. CV/Resume

Learn more about this program:

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Are you interested in having a career that promotes a healthy lifestyle? The online Nutrition and Food Systems Degree offers opportunities to pursue and advance in dietetics, child nutrition, food and nutrition service management, and community nutrition. 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. The curriculum provides students with an understanding of research design and advanced knowledge in nutrition and/or food systems management.

The fully online Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems allows students to enter careers in dietetics, child nutrition program management, and community nutrition. There is also the option for Online Nutrition and Food Systems Degree to be completed alongside a dietetics internship. Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are here to help. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!

The Graduate School is now offering standardized test waivers to applicants of this program. There is currently no GRE requirement for this degree!

A number of scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship, or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!

Course Requirements (33-36 hours)

Course	Credits
Food Systems Management	4 hrs.
Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy	4 hrs.
Global Nutrition and Health	3 hrs.
Seminar in food and Nutrition	3 hrs.
Research in Food and Nutrition	3 hrs.
Thesis (1-6 hours)	6 hrs.
Nutrition Education: Theory, Research, and Practice	3 hrs.
Management of Nutritional Services: A Behavioral Approach	3 hrs.
Advanced Practice in Nutrition and Food Systems	3 hrs.
Food and Nutrition Public Policy	3 hrs.
Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Kinesiology and Nutrition	3 hrs.
Applying Evidence-Based Practice in Kinesiology and Nutrition	3 hrs.

Advisor Approved Electives (15 hours)

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this master’s degree qualify me to work as a dietitian or nutritionist?

The process to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is a 3-step process that includes completing an accredited undergraduate program, getting accepted into and completing an accredited dietetic internship along with a master’s degree, and successfully passing the registration examination for dietitians. A master’s degree alone does not allow one to work as a dietitian nutritionist.

What else is required besides the coursework for this dietetics program?

In addition to the coursework, students must also complete a dietetic internship that is integrated with the master’s degree. Students must also complete a capstone research project and take written and oral comprehensive examinations.

Do online students pay out of state tuition?

Online classes waive the out of state fees. All coursework for this degree program is delivered in an online format.

Does my tuition for my master’s degree cover my internship fees?

Internships that affiliate with Southern Miss have their own fees. Questions about fees related to the internship need to be addressed by the internship director.

Are any scholarships available for the dietetics program?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is the largest provider of dietetic scholarships to deserving students at all levels of study http://www.eatrightfoundation.org/Foundation/scholarships/. You can also find more information about scholarships on our scholarship page.

What are the costs?

To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page.

How can I apply to this program?

The prospective student must complete the Graduate School admission application online and pay the application fee at http://apps.usm.edu/graduate-school/grad-school-apps/.

What are the costs for this dietetics program?

In addition to any costs and fees affiliated with the dietetic internship, you will be charged tuition. Tuition is charged per credit hour up to twelve (12) hours for undergraduates and up to nine (9) hours for graduates.

What if I still have questions?

If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

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

Statement of Purpose
Résumé
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 must pass a criminal background check and obtain professional liability insurance.

The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.

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