Introduction
The Department of Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Nutrition. Graduate-level coursework in nutrition includes the opportunity to conduct and analyze research, enhance critical thinking and effective communication skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities.
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Master of Science in Nutrition is to prepare diverse students to become nutrition leaders who practice effectively and contribute solutions for human health and healthcare challenges. The program’s goals are to:
- utilize experiential opportunities to prepare students to use evidence-based nutrition practice in their chosen profession
- prepare students to secure advanced nutrition-related employment in healthcare, government, industry, education, or not-for-profit programs
Application Deadlines
Please check the Nutrition Department website (https://msudenver.edu/nutrition) for current application deadlines.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Master of Science in Nutrition (MSN), the following items must be submitted:
- Graduate admissions application
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts - Students must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended (transcripts from MSU Denver are not required). Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the previous colleges/universities in a signed, sealed envelope. Institutions may also send official electronic transcripts to gradtranscripts@msudenver.edu.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Resume
- Personal statement essay
- List of three (3) professional and/or academic references including email and telephone contact information
Full program acceptance requires prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or higher in:
- chemistry
- organic chemistry
- biological chemistry (minimum of 1 semester combined of organic and biological chemistry)
- anatomy and physiology (equivalent of 6 credit hours)
- upper-division human nutrition course with macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism as the focus of the course (minimum of 3 credit hours)
- medical nutrition therapy (minimum of 3 credits of a combined medical nutrition therapy I and II or equivalent)
Concentration in the MSN program
Students will have option of selecting either the Dietetics Concentration or General Nutrition Concentration.
Admissions Decisions
Applicants may be regularly admitted, admitted with requirements, waitlisted, or denied acceptance. Applicants admitted with requirements typically have obligations to fulfill either before starting the MSN program and/or within the first year of enrollment. Applicants admitted with requirements may have not graduated with their undergraduate degree at the time of admission, and/or may have an undergraduate GPA below the minimum requirement for admission. Applicants may be waitlisted in the case where program capacity has been reached and will be notified if space becomes available in the program.
For students interested in completing the Nutrition Accelerated Program (which allows students to complete a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in as little as 5 years), please contact the Department of Nutrition at nutrition@msudenver.edu or 303-615-0990.
Confirmation of Enrollment
Accepted students must confirm their enrollment into the program according to the process as outlined in their admissions letter.
Admissions Deferral
Applicants who are admitted to the MSN program may defer their start semester up to two semesters or one academic year from the term that acceptance was originally offered. Applicants who choose to defer their start date must notify the Department of Nutrition Graduate Program and follow additional steps as outlined by the program.
Transfer Students
No transfer credits are allowed within the MSN program.
Non-Degree-Seeking Students
Students may be admitted to the program with a non-degree-seeking status. Non-degree-seeking students do not qualify for financial aid and must re-apply and pay a new application fee in order to become degree seeking. Completing coursework as a non-degree-seeking student does not guarantee admission into a degree program. Students accepted into the program with non-degree seeking status may take up to 12 credits of graduate level coursework in the program.
To apply as a non-degree-seeking student, the following items must be submitted:
- Graduate admissions application
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts - Students must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended (transcripts from MSU Denver are not required). Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the previous colleges/universities in a signed, sealed envelope. Institutions may also send official electronic transcripts to gradtranscripts@msudenver.edu
Prior Learning Assessment
In general, no credit is given for prior learning experience derived from employment or other life experience.
Readmission
Students not enrolled for three (3) consecutive semesters, including summer, must reapply to the University. Students requesting readmission must be in good academic standing and must submit their application for readmission to the master’s program in which they have been enrolled.
Students who are readmitted to the MSN will be held to policies and curriculum for the term for which they are readmitted.
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available for graduate students. Visit https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/graduate/ for information.
Academic Standing Policies
All students accepted into the program must adhere to the following academic policies:
Mandatory Attendance
MSN program requires mandatory attendance in the following two events:
- Pre-program orientation attendance during or before the first week of classes.
- End-of-program Nutrition Research Day event must be attended by all graduating students and/or students enrolled in the Graduate Nutrition Capstone III course.
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
- Students must complete the required coursework while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater. Any student falling below a 3.0 in any given term will be placed on academic probation and be required to develop a remediation plan with an academic advisor for raising the GPA above a 3.0. Students who fail to complete the requirements of their remediation plan may be dismissed from the program.
- No more than two grades of “C”, “C-“, “C+” will count toward degree requirements, and no grade lower than “C-“ will count toward the degree. Students receiving “C”, “C-“, “C+” will be placed on a remediation plan. Students receiving below “C-” will be placed on a remediation plan and will be required to repeat the course. Students who do not successfully complete a course with a “B-” or better after the second attempt may be dismissed from the program.
Definition of Full-time Graduate Student Status
The MSN program recognizes six (6) semester hours during a regular semester (fall, spring, and summer) as the minimum full-time course load.
Course Load
- Students who wish to take more than 15 semester hours (12 in the summer semester) must have a minimum GPA of 3.00, have approval from the graduate program director, and have approval from the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies.
- The maximum load for a two-week Winterim or Maymester term is 3 semester hours, excluding short-term study abroad courses.
Duplicative Coursework
- No course may count toward both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree unless is specified by the department.
Residency Requirement
- MSU Denver’s residency requirement for master’s programs requires that at least 30 credit hours be completed at MSU Denver for this program.
Time Limit on Completion of Degree
- Students must complete the master’s degree within six (6) calendar years from their initial enrollment or readmission term.
