Human Nutrition (M.S.)

M.S. Human Nutrition

The program offers a student-centered, research-focused, challenging curriculum that focuses on the nutrition needs of today’s society.
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Program Overview

The human nutrition graduate program is housed in a modern building equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including anthropometric instruments, a serum analyzer and a plethora of molecular biological apparati. Our faculty have a variety of expertise spanning molecular to community-based nutrition.

Course Work

Course work is based on lectures, experiential and service-learning, allowing students to gain real-world, relevant nutrition and dietetics competencies. Students choose either a thesis option (33 total hours required) or a non-thesis option (39 total hours required). Thesis-option students take core courses and electives, engaging in original scientific research culminating in a thesis. Non-thesis- option students take electives in consultation with the graduate advisor. Our dietetic internship coursework can be combined with the human nutrition degree. Information about core courses can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

DegreeHoursThesis OptionMinor Option
Degree
M.S.
Hours
39
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.S.
Hours
33
Thesis Option
Thesis
Minor Option
No minor

What Our Alumni Say

“I will leave the graduate program at Texas State with many things. An education, a degree, a better understanding of the human condition ... Texas State filled my mind; these people filled my heart.ˮ

– Alex Hurst, M.S. ’16

Program Details

Many alumni are registered dietitians working in various arenas, including clinical settings, biomedical research, or private practice. Students leave well-versed regarding the latest research.

Program Mission

Texas State University offers a master of science degree in human nutrition to meet the needs of industry, the public sector and academia. The human nutrition program provides graduate education that equips students with technical skills and scientific knowledge for the integration of food to improve human health in the 21st century. Graduates will develop critical thinking and research skills to:

  • develop innovative approaches to problem-solving
  • acquire knowledge and skills to support pursuit of doctoral degrees
  • prepare for research careers in nutrition and food arenas
  • integrate cutting-edge nutrition knowledge into dietetics practice

Career Options

The program prepares students to meet the needs of industry, the public sector and academia in the following roles:

  • Registered dietitian
  • Development manager
  • Consultant to functional food/nutraceutical company
  • System clinical nutrition manager
  • Community nutrition
  • Health education coordinator
  • Clinical education coordinator
  • Nutrition instructor
  • Doctoral studies in nutrition

Program Faculty

Faculty research includes:

  • Community and public health nutrition policy, systems, and environments
  • Diet patterns and diseases risk
  • Workplace wellness
  • Prevention of colon cancer progression via dietary manipulation
  • Effect of food-derived compounds on behavior and brain function
  • Promoting a healthy gut to prevent complications from obesity and diseases
  • Signaling pathways underlying the obesity-cancer association
  • Metabolic abnormalities and prostate cancer progression
  • Nutrition epidemiology and weight-inclusive behavioral health nutrition interventions to improve cardiometabolic health
  • Community and public health nutrition (Food insecurity, behavioral nutrition, and interventions)

Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Ramona Salcedo Price
rsp44@txstate.edu
512.245.2155
Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS), Room 287J

Advisor Support
Leia Downs
ad1013@txstate.edu
512.245.9196
Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS), 280

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Application Deadlines

DeadlinesU.S. CitizenInternational
Deadlines
Fall - Priority
U.S. Citizen
January 15
International
January 15
Deadlines
Fall - Standard
U.S. Citizen
March 1
International
March 1
Deadlines
Spring
U.S. Citizen
October 15
International
October 1

This program's deadline is firm. This type of deadline means the application and other application requirements must be submitted by the program's specified deadline day.

Funding Information
Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding.

Decision Timeline
This program reviews applications on a firm basis.

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.

  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 nonrefundable application fee
      OR
    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

    • baccalaureate degree (preferably in nutrition, food science or a related field) from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
    • a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
    • minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses) (Effective Fall 2024: a 3.0 overall GP or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work, plus any completed graduate courses)
    • background course work in: 
      • Anatomy and Physiology
      • Biochemistry
      • Introductory Biology
      • Introductory Chemistry (at least two semesters)
      • Introductory Nutrition 
      • Microbiology
      • Nutrition in the Lifespan
      • Organic Chemistry (at least one course) 
      • Biochemical Nutrition

    Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

  • GRE

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

    • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
    • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
    • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
      • minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    • official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
    • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

    This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

    Review important information about official test scores.

    • resume/CV
    • statement of purpose describing your professional aspirations and rationale for pursuing graduate study
    • three letters of recommendation from professionals or academics competent to assess your interest in pursuing a career in nutrition
    • interview to include oral and written responses

    Review important information about documents.

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