Curriculum Overview
The Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program’s traditional program track is designed to be completed in two years for students with a full-time status or in up to five years for students with a part-time status.
The program curriculum requires a total of 36 graduate-level semester credit hours for completion.
Students may elect to do the thesis track or the non-thesis track.
This coursework represents 18 semester credit hours of core courses and 12 or 15 semester credit hours of elective courses. The thesis track also requires six semester credit hours of thesis credit, while the non-thesis track requires three semester credit hours of research.
A combined maximum of 12 semester hours of coursework may be transferred from the UAMS Master of Science in Dietetics Program and a maximum of six elective semester hours from other accredited colleges and universities.
A specific degree plan will be prepared for each student.
Required Courses
Core Required Courses
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUTR 51033 | Assessment of Nutritional Status | 3 |
| NUTR 51043 | Nutrition Research and Statistical Methods | 3 |
| NUTR 51063 | Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NUTR 51073 | Advanced Clinical Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 51103 | Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NUTR 51133 | Nutrition Counseling | 3 |
| Total | 18 |
Elective Courses
With the non-thesis track, 15 total credit hours of elective courses are required. With the thesis track, 12 total credit hours of elective courses are required.
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUTR 51053 | Principles of Advanced Nutrition Support | 3 |
| NUTR 51083 | Diet and Cancer Prevention/Promotion | 3 |
| NUTR 51143 | Geriatric Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 51153 | Pediatric Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 51163 | Nutrition in Health, Wellness and Sports | 3 |
| NUTR 51173 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 5120V | Special Topics in Clinical Nutrition | 1-3 |
Other Courses
Students will choose between these two courses based on their selection between the thesis and non-thesis tracks.
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUTR 5100V | Research in Nutrition (non-thesis track) | 3 |
| NUTR 5123V | Master's Thesis in Clinical Nutrition (thesis track) | 6 |
Comparison of Thesis Track vs. Non-Thesis Track
Thesis Track Requirements
| Courses | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 18 |
| Electives | 12 |
| NUTR 5121 — Master's Thesis in Clinical Nutrition | 6 |
| Total | 36 |
Non-Thesis Track Requirements
| Courses | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 18 |
| Electives | 15 |
| NUTR 5101 — Research in Nutrition | 3 |
| Total | 36 |
Summary Comparison
| Requirement | Thesis | Non-Thesis |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 36 semester credit hours | 36 semester credit hours |
| Written Comprehensive Examination (covering NUTR 5102; NUTR 5106; NUTR 5107; NUTR 5110; NUTR 5111) | Yes, with passing score of 80% | Yes, with passing score of 80% |
| Writing Requirement | Thesis | Submit a written research project report |
| Oral Communication Requirement | Thesis Defense | Research Project Defense |
| Faculty Guidance Committee | Thesis committee of three faculty (one member from outside the department) | Advisory committee of three faculty |
Course Completion Requirements
Students must earn a B or better in all courses within the program to continue to the next semester. Students must also keep a minimum of a 3.0 grade-point average in the program to remain in good standing.
Interprofessional Education
All students in the UAMS College of Health Professions must complete all Interprofessional Education activities.
Program Completion Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements to complete the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program:
- Completion of all courses in the program with a B or better in each and an overall program grade-point average of at least 3.0
- Completion of all Interprofessional Education requirements
- Successful completion of a written comprehensive examination
- Successful completion of a final research paper
- Successful completion of an oral defense of their research
Textbooks
The list of required textbooks is published on the UAMS Bookstore website in compliance with Arkansas Code Annotated section 6-60-601.