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Mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition

The mission of the 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.

Mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition, RDN focus area:

The mission of the ĐÓ°ÉĘÓƵ 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.

The Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) focus provides a verification statement upon successful completion of program requirements, which prepares graduates for practice as an RDN after passing the national registration exam.

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program Goals

Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:

1. Interpret, evaluate, communicate and apply complex nutritional concepts to a wide variety of individuals, communities, and organizations
2. Use evidence-based knowledge to inform best practices in nutrition professions
3. Provide leadership and innovation to the nutrition profession, facilitating the growth and application of best practices in the field to our region and globally
4. Utilize theories of health behavior and the translation of theory into practice as a valuable tool in public health, community, and clinical nutrition settings

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition, RDN Focus Goals

In addition to the above, RDN focus graduates will:

1.be competent practitioners that are equipped to pass the RDN exam, that are ethical and skilled in-patient care, and that are competitively employable in the field.

2. use evidence-based knowledge to inform best practices in nutrition professions and Medical Nutrition Therapy.

ACEND®️ Specific Goals:

Program Completion: At least 80% of program graduates complete program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).

Graduate Employment: Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

Employer Satisfaction: At least 80% of employers who respond to the “Employer Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating graduates were adequately prepared to be an effective RDN practitioner in their first post-graduate professional position.

Registration Exam:

80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Program outcomes data measuring success against these objectives is available upon request. for further information.

Objectives in support of the goals of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program

Program Objectives
Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:

1. Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best-practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives
2. Apply core research principles to measure the nutrition status and environment of individuals and communities
3. Develop communications and collaboration strategies with representatives from government, non-profit, community, and business entities regarding nutrition initiatives
4. Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences
5. 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

There are degree focus areas that allow the Masters of Science in Applied Nutrition students to concentrate in growing areas of the nutrition industry and to pursue an educational pathway that best addresses their personal and professional needs. The focus area-specific objectives are based on the student’s chosen focus and are listed below.

Degree Focus Area: Obesity and Health Promotion

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

1. Define and explain key concepts related to overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences
2. Describe the prevalence of and trends in overweight/obesity
3. Develop materials to combat the impacts of overweight/obesity
4. Analyze and communicate the medical, psychosocial, and economic costs associated with overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences
5. Compare overweight/obesity prevention and treatment approaches to evaluate their efficacy at the individual and community levels
6. Propose and communicate new approaches to combat the incidence of overweight/obesity for a variety of audiences based on analysis of existing policy and regulations

Degree Focus Area: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

1. Analyze nutrition research literature to apply it to nutrition practice
2. Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition information to a variety of audiences
3. Apply theories of health behavior in nutrition practice settings
4. Analyze and communicate research in nutrition-related disease prevention and progression to a wide variety of audiences
5. Design and implement nutrition and wellness research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports

Degree Focus Area: Sustainable Nutrition

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

1. Assess current regional and global agricultural policies and practices in relation to environmental stewardship, human health, and food justice
2. Analyze nutrition, food systems, and agricultural literature to apply it to nutrition practice, education and advocacy
3. Evaluate the environmental sustainability of traditional and current diets worldwide and how they can meet nutritional needs while lessening environmental impacts
4. Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition and food systems information to a variety of audiences
5. Design and implement nutrition and food systems research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports

Degree Focus Area: Generalist, Applied Nutrition

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of multiple competency areas of nutrition study and practice, dependent on their individualized course of study. This option 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.

Degree Focus Area: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

1. At least 80% of graduates who respond to the “Alumni Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating they  were adequately prepared to be an effective RDN practitioner in their first post-graduate professional position.
2. At least 80% of employers who respond to the “Employer Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating the graduates demonstrated ethical behavior and cultural competency in all areas of nutrition and interprofessional practice in their first post-graduate professional position
3. At least 80% of graduates who respond to the “Alumni Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating they were able to communicate evidence-based research in nutrition to a wide variety of audiences in their first post-graduate professional position.
4. At least 80% of employers who respond to the “Employer Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating the graduates were able to communicate evidence-based research in nutrition to a wide variety of audiences in their first post-graduate professional position.

Regional Accreditation

All programs at the University of New England are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Specialized Accreditation

The University of New England Master of Science in Applied Nutrition, RDN focus has been accredited as a program granted candidate status by the Accreditation Council for Education (ACEND) in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400. https://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: .

In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited FEM graduate program Master of Science in Applied Nutrition at The University of New England are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice.

 

REQUIRED COURSES

APN 600 - Trends and Issues in Nutrition

APN 604 - Nutrition Across the Lifespan

APN 610 - Research Methods

APN 615 - Nutrition and Metabolism

APN 620 - Nutrition Education and Health Behavior Change

APN 625 - Nutrition Practice for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention OR APN 734-Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition and Wellness (RDN focus students)

Degree Focus: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

APN 730 - Medical Nutrition Therapy

APN 760 - Micronutrients: Nutrition and Functional Applications

APN 765 - Advanced Practices in Nutrition Therapy

APN 770 - Nutrition Counseling and Communication

APN 775 - Advanced Nutrition Research

APN 755 - Applied Nutrition Capstone

Degree Focus: Obesity and Health Promotion

APN 730 - Medical Nutrition Therapy

APN 734 - Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition and Wellness

APN 740 - Nutrition and Nutrition Information in the Media

APN 745 - Overweight and Obesity

APN 775 - Advanced Nutrition Research

APN 755 - Applied Nutrition Capstone

Degree Focus: Sustainable Nutrition

APN 707 - Dietary Practices and the Environment

APN 712 - Global Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Policy

APN 717 - Food Justice and Advocacy

APN Elective Option (APN 701, APN 734, APN 770, GPH 702, or other approved elective)

APN 775 - Advanced Nutrition Research

APN 755 - Applied Nutrition Capstone   Degree Focus: Generalist Complete 6 Required Courses (APN 601, 605, 610, 615, 620, and 625) Complete 5 Courses from APN 700 level course offerings Complete Capstone Course (APN 755)

Degree Focus: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Required courses include 12 1-credit lab courses for Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL)

APN 600 - Trends and Issues in Nutrition and 602 - Trends and Issues in Nutrition lab

APN 604 - Nutrition Across the Lifespan and 606 - Nutrition Across the Lifespan lab

APN 610 - Research Methods and 611 - Research Methods lab

APN 615 - Nutrition and Metabolism and 616 - Nutrition and Metabolism lab

APN 620 - Nutrition Education and Health Behavior Change and 621 - Nutrition Education and Health Behavior Change lab

APN 734 - Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition and Wellness and 736 - Nutrition Leadership, Community Nutrition and Wellness lab

APN 730 - Medical Nutrition Therapy and 731 - Medical Nutrition Therapy

APN 760 - Micronutrients: Nutrition and Functional Applications and 761 - Micronutrients: Nutrition and Functional Applications lab

APN 780 - Food and Nutrition Operations Management and APN 781 - Food and Nutrition Operations Management lab

APN 785 - Nutrition Assessment and Application in a Clinical Setting and APN 786 - Nutrition Assessment and Application in a Clinical Setting lab

APN 775 - Advanced Nutrition Research and APN 776 - Advanced Nutrition Research lab

APN 755 - Applied Nutrition Capstone and APN 756 - Applied Nutrition Capstone lab

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 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 U-Online. Please see our Graduation FAQ for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s ĐÓ°ÉĘÓƵ email to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop-Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, 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 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 student support specialist and student financial services to indicate a change of plans; stop out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.

Medical Leave of Absence

In the event that a leave of absence is taken due to medical reasons, a doctor’s note may be required in order to return to active standing within the program.

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Director or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

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:

1. Cheating, copying,