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.
adult in white lab coat in a lab

Program Overview

The nutrition and foods program is housed in a modern building and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including anthropometric instruments, phlebotomy facilities, a serum analyzer, and a plethora of molecular biological apparati. Faculty are student-centered and engaged in cutting-edge research that they use to inform their teaching.

Course Work

Course work is based on lectures, service-learning, and research experience. 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 that culminates in a thesis. Non- thesis-option students take electives in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Degree Hours Thesis Option Minor 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 dieticians working in a variety of 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 and nutraceuticals 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 the 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 food science/nutrition

Program Faculty

Faculty research includes:

  • feeding patterns of infants, toddlers, and children in Central Texas
  • implementation and evaluation of community-based interventions to pediatric obesity
  • implementation of adult weight management through interventions
  • prevention of colon cancer progression via dietary manipulation
  • effect of food-derived compounds on behavior and brain function
  • effects of diet and physical activity on cognitive function in cancer survivors as well as biomarkers of cancer prognosis and survival
  • signaling pathways underlying the obesity-cancer association
  • metabolic abnormalities and prostate cancer progression

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

outside of a two story building campus

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Application Deadlines

Deadlines U.S. Citizen International
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.

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  •   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)
    • 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) 

      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

      Review important information about documents.

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