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The mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition is to prepare individuals for leadership roles in the field of nutrition, to advance knowledge and expand skills that promote excellence and innovation in all areas of nutrition practice, and to emphasize evidence-based best practices to support the well-being and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through education, research, and service.

Goals of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program:

1. Prepare competent Masters-level nutrition professionals who can interpret, evaluate, communicate and apply complex nutritional concepts to a wide variety of individuals, communities and organizations
2. Prepare competent Masters-level applied nutrition practitioners to use evidence-based knowledge to inform best practices in nutrition professions
3. Provide leadership and innovation to the nutrition profession, facilitating the growth and application of best practices in the field to our region and globally
4. Emphasize a strong background in theory of health behavior and the translation of theory into practice as a valuable tool in public health, community and clinical nutrition settings

Objectives in support of the goals of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program:

Program Objectives:

Graduates of the program are able to

1. Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best-practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives
2. Apply core research principles to measure the nutrition status and environment of individuals and communities
3. Develop communications and collaboration strategies with representatives from government, non-profit, community, and business entities regarding nutrition initiatives
4. Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences
5. Research, develop and disseminate evidence-based and theory driven educational materials and work-products at an audience appropriate level for topics related to nutrition and health promotion

There are four degree focus areas that allow the Masters of Science, Applied Nutrition student to concentrate in growing areas of the nutrition industry and to pursue an educational pathway that best address their personal and professional needs. The specific degree focus objectives are based on the student’s chosen area of focus, and are listed below.

Degree Focus Area: Business, Social Media, & Entrepreneurship

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of the business of nutrition and the supporting of entrepreneurial nutrition-related start-ups with social media and marketing.

Graduates of this focus demonstrate the following abilities/competencies:

1. Evaluate strategies for the ability to increase return on investment (ROI) in multimedia campaigns for health and wellness
2. Analyze and communicate the impact of social analytics and social media campaigns on nutrition-related business to a variety of audiences
3. Employ principles of ethics in social media as they apply to nutrition and wellness
4. Create Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) plans with a focus on nutritional branding and
5. Develop business assets for a competitive nutrition and wellness market

Degree Focus Area: Obesity and Health Promotion

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of the cultural, environmental, psychosocial, physical, and economic factors associated with obesity and how to facilitate initiatives that lessen the impact of obesity in communities and individuals and promote positive health outcomes. 

Graduates of this focus demonstrate the following abilities/competencies:

1. Define overweight and obesity in children and adults and explain key concepts relating to overweight and obesity to a variety of audiences
2. Describe the prevalence and trends in child/adult obesity
3. Develop materials to combat the impacts of overweight and obesity
4. Analyze and communicate the medical, psychosocial, and economic costs associated with obesity in children and adults to a variety of audiences
5. Compare obesity prevention and treatment approaches to evaluate their efficacy at the individual and community levels and
6. Propose and communicate new approaches to combat the incidence of overweight and obesity for a variety of audiences based on analysis of existing policy and regulations

Degree Focus Area: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of nutrition-related disease with a focus on disease prevention through evidence-based practice.

Graduates of this focus demonstrate the following abilities/competencies:

1. Analyze nutrition research literature to apply it to relevant and current nutrition situations
2. Analyze and communicate the most recent developments in the field of nutrition to a variety of audiences
3. Translate theories of health behaviors into applicable practice models
4. Analyze and communicate trends in nutrition behaviors and nutrition research in nutrition-related diseases prevention and progression to a wide variety of audiences and

5. Design and implement nutrition and wellness research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports

Degree Focus Area: Generalist, Applied Nutrition

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of multiple competency areas of nutrition study and practice, dependent on their individualized course of study. This option allows the student to take the requisite first year classes, and then diversify their educational plan of study to best meet their personal and professional needs.

Graduates of this focus demonstrate the following abilities/competencies:

1. Analyze and communicate the most recent literature, research and developments in the field of nutrition to a variety of audiences
2. Translate specialized concepts and theories of health behavior and education into applicable practice and education models
3. Analyze and communicate trends in nutrition behaviors and nutrition research to a wide variety of audiences and
4. Design and implement nutrition education interventions that promote healthful behaviors and sound nutrition practices

All programs at the 911����������� are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

REQUIRED COURSES:

Degree Focus: Generalist

Degree Focus: Business, Social Media, and Entrepreneurship

Degree Focus: Obesity and Health Promotion

Degree Focus: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation.  Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online.  Please access the following link for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions:

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s 911����������� e-mail to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities.

Leave of Absence

Matriculated students must enroll and successfully complete at least one course per term. A leave of absence (LOA) for a specified period of time, not to exceed one academic year, may be granted to a matriculated student with the authorization of the Dean and the Program Manager or designee. If not enrolled for one full term, students must contact their Student Support Specialist and complete the required Request for Leave of Absence form available from Registration Services. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the