The MAPD is an accelerated non-thesis professional degree that offers advanced training in dietetics and nutrition sciences. Graduates will gain advanced knowledge, expanded skills, lifelong learning, and professional leadership training to pursue various careers in nutrition counseling working in private practice, outpatient centers, community centers, eating disorder clinics, and weight management centers. Program applicants should complete Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements prior to admission.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Practice as professionals in the field of nutrition counseling.
- Demonstrate mastery of fundamental nutrition science/applied science principles.
- Communicate scientific literature and professional practice standards to fellow professionals in the field of practice.
- Perform as dietetics professionals using evidence-based practice.
- Develop a dietetics practice-based question, review relevant research and compare to current standards of practice, and develop professional recommendations.
- Demonstrate counseling and education methods to facilitate behavior change and enhance wellness for diverse individuals and groups.
- Demonstrate cultural humility, awareness of personal biases and an understanding of cultural differences to deliver respectful, science-based answers to client/patient questions concerning emerging trends.
Effective Spring 2025
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FSHN 515 | Advanced Health Equity | 3 |
| FSHN 520 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| FSHN 525 | Nutrition Education Theories and Practice | 2 |
| FSHN 551 | Advanced Nutritional Science II | 3 |
| FSHN 552 | 3 | |
| FSHN 562 | 3 | |
| FSHN 628 | Advanced Nutrition Counseling Techniques | 2 |
| FSHN 629 | 3 | |
| FSHN 640 | Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology | 2 |
| FSHN 650A | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Topics in Community Nutrition | 2 |
| FSHN 690 | 3 | |
| FSHN 692 | Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |