Program Curriculum

Degree requirements include 18 semester hours of core courses, twelve (12) or fifteen (15) semester hours of elective courses, and either six (6) semester hours of thesis credit (for thesis option) or three (3) semester hours of research (for non-thesis option), for a total of 36 semester hours. A combined maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of course work may be transferred from the UAMS/CAVHS dietetic internship and a maximum of six (6) elective semester hours from other accredited colleges and universities. A specific degree plan will be prepared for each student.

Course	Title	Credit Hours
Core Required Courses (18 total credit hours)
NUTR 5102	Assessment of Nutritional Status	3
NUTR 5104	Nutrition Research and Statistical Methods	3
NUTR 5106	Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients	3
NUTR 5107	Advanced Clinical Nutrition	3
NUTR 5110	Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients	3
NUTR 5111	Nutrition Counseling	3
Elective Courses With non-thesis option, 15 total credit hours of elective courses are required. With thesis option, 12 total credit hours of elective courses are required.
NUTR 5105	Principles of Advanced Nutrition Support	3
NUTR 5108	Diet and Cancer Prevention/Promotion	3
NUTR 5113	Geriatric Nutrition	3
NUTR 5114	Pediatric Nutrition	3
NUTR 5115	Nutrition in Health, Wellness and Sports	3
NUTR 5117	Community Nutrition	3
NUTR 5120	Special Topics in Clinical Nutrition	1-3
Other Courses
NUTR 5101	Research in Nutrition (non-thesis)	3
NUTR 5121	Master's Thesis in Clinical Nutrition	6
	Total Required Credit Hours (100% Online) for Program Completion	36

Comparison of Thesis vs. Non-Thesis

The MSCN degree program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate credit. Students may elect the thesis or non-thesis option.  A specific degree plan is prepared for each student. Full-time students complete the program in two (2) years; part-time students may take up to five years to finish.

Thesis Option

Courses	Semester Credits
Core Courses	18
*Electives	12
NUTR 5121 - Master's Thesis in Clinical Nutrition	6
TOTAL	36

Non-Thesis Option

Courses	Semester Credits
Core Courses	18
*Electives	15
NUTR 5101 - Research in Nutrition	3
TOTAL	36

Summary Comparison

Requirements	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

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Course Descriptions

For course descriptions, please see the UAMS Catalog.