Master of Science in Applied Nutrition
Elizabeth Dodge, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, CPS
Director, Graduate Programs in Applied Nutrition
Associate Clinical Professor
edodge1@une.edu
Mission
Mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition
The mission of the UNE Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program is to prepare individuals for leadership roles in the field of nutrition, to advance knowledge and expand skills that promote excellence and innovation in all areas of nutrition practice, and to emphasize evidence-based best practices to support the well-being and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through education, research, and scholarship.
Accreditation
Regional Accreditation
All programs at the University of New England are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Program Goals
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED NUTRITION PROGRAM GOALS
- Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:
Interpret, evaluate, communicate and apply complex nutrition concepts to a wide variety of individuals, communities, and organizations. - Use evidence-based knowledge to inform best practices in nutrition professions.
- Provide leadership and innovation to the nutrition profession, facilitating the growth and application of best practices in the field to our region and globally.
- Utilize theories of health behavior and the translation of theory into practice as a valuable tool in public health, community, and clinical nutrition settings.
OBJECTIVES IN SUPPORT OF THE GOALS OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED NUTRITION PROGRAM
Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:
- Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives.
- Apply core research principles to measure the nutrition status and environment of individuals and communities.
- Develop communications and collaboration strategies with representatives from government, non-profit, community, and business entities regarding nutrition initiatives.
- Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences.
- Research, develop, and disseminate evidence-based and theory-driven educational materials and work products at an audience-appropriate level for topics related to nutrition and health promotion.
Program Description
Students in the M.S.A.N. Generalist program will develop skills in and an understanding of multiple competency areas of nutrition study and practice, dependent on their individualized course of study. This program allows the student to take the requisite first-year classes, and then diversify their educational plan of study to best meet their personal and professional needs.
FOCUS AREA: NON-DIET APPROACHES TO HEALTH PROMOTION
Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:
- Define and explain key concepts related to overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences.
- Describe the prevalence of and trends in overweight/obesity.
- Develop materials to combat the impacts of overweight/obesity.
- Analyze and communicate the medical, psychosocial, and economic costs associated with overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences.
- Compare overweight/obesity prevention and treatment approaches to evaluate their efficacy at the individual and community levels.
- Propose and communicate new approaches to combat the incidence of overweight/obesity for a variety of audiences based on an analysis of existing policy and regulations.
FOCUS AREA: NUTRITION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:
- Analyze nutrition research literature to apply it to nutrition practice.
- Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition information to a variety of audiences.
- Apply theories of health behavior in nutrition practice settings.
- Analyze and communicate research in nutrition-related disease prevention and progression to a wide variety of audiences.
- Design and implement nutrition and wellness research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports.
FOCUS AREA: SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION
Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:
- Assess current regional and global agricultural policies and practices in relation to environmental stewardship, human health, and food justice.
- Analyze nutrition, food systems, and agricultural literature to apply it to nutrition practice, education, and advocacy.
- Evaluate the environmental sustainability of traditional and current diets worldwide and how they can meet nutritional needs while lessening environmental impacts.
- Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition and food systems information to a variety of audiences.
- Design and implement nutrition and food systems research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports.
Curricular Requirements
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| APN 600 – Trends and Issues in Nutrition | 3 |
| APN 604 – Nutrition Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| APN 610 – Research Methods | 3 |
| APN 615 – Nutrition and Metabolism | 3 |
| APN 620 – Nutrition Education and Health Behavior Change | 3 |
| APN 625 – Nutrition Practice for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention or APN 734 – Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition, and Wellness | 3 |
| APN 755 – Applied Nutrition Capstone | 3 |
| APN 775 – Advanced Nutrition Research | 3 |
| Minimum of twelve (12) credits of any 700-level or higher course with APN prefix (Generalist focus) or selected from the Suggested Focus Areas (below) | 12 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 36 |
|---|
Focus Areas
Focus Area: Non-diet Approaches for Health Promotion
| Suggested Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| APN 715 – Measuring Social Media Impact or APN 734 – Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition and Wellness or APN 740 – Nutrition and Nutrition Information in Media or other approved elective | 3 |
| APN 730 – Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| APN 745 – Overweight and Obesity | 3 |
| APN 750 – Clinical Management of Overweight and Obesity | 3 |
Focus Area: Nutrition and Disease Prevention
| Suggestive Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| APN 730 – Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| APN 760 – Micronutrients: Nutrition and Functional Applications | 3 |
| APN 765 – Advanced Practices in Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| APN 770 – Nutrition Counseling and Communication | 3 |
Focus Area: Sustainable Nutrition
| Suggested Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| APN 701 – Nutrition, Wellness, and Multimedia Communication or APN 734 – Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition and Wellness or APN 770 – Nutrition Counseling and Communication or other approved elective | 3 |
| APN 707 – Dietary Practices and the Environment | 3 |
| APN 712 – Global Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Policy | 3 |
| APN 717 – Food Justice and Advocacy | 3 |
Academic Policy
Minimum Grade Point Average
Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two (2) or more courses is dismissed from the program.
Graduation
Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the Registrar’s Office via UNE Compass. Please see our Graduation FAQ for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.
Attendance Policy
Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET of the first week of the A term and B term and Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the AB term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean’s Office.
University Withdrawal
Matriculated students intending to withdraw from the University must complete the University Withdrawal and LOA Request form available online or at the University Registrar’s Office. The form requires signatures from designated academic and administrative personnel.
Readmission
Students who have been withdrawn from the program for any reason must reapply if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply. Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five (5) years old may not be accepted for credit in the program.
Students who have been administratively withdrawn from the program may petition for readmission. The petition letter must provide a justification for re-admission that addresses how past issues have been resolved and will not recur. The letter should be attached in the application portal.
TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION
A student who has not completed the MS Applied Nutrition program within five (5) years will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission.
Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)
Students may stop out of their program for up to two (2) semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned enrollment and retention counselor, and stop-out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two (2) semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).
Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Enrollment and Retention Counselor and Student Financial Services to indicate a change of plans. Stop-out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.
Academic Integrity Policy
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy. Failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action that destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one (1) course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism is the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.
Student Access Center
The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at UNE is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.
Transfer Credit
Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three (3) courses (maximum of nine (9) credits) into the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program.
To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of The College of Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to and will be granted at the discretion of the Program Director.
Transfer courses must:
- Be classified as graduate level.
- Have been taken within five (5) years of application.
- Have been completed with a grade of B or better.
- Be worth three (3) credits.
- Be equivalent to one (1) of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.
EXPERIENTIAL CREDIT
The M.S.A.N. program does not grant academic credit for life experiences or previous work experience.
Admissions
See Online Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.