Master of Science in Dietetics

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

This 17 month non-thesis degree is an accredited, advanced degree dietetic internship program with a concentration in Community Research and Wellness designed for students who want to complete their ACEND accredited 1200 hour supervised practice experience concurrently with related graduate coursework. The M.S./DI program requires 36 graduate hours including 9 hours of internship practicum and 12 hours of electives. Graduates of this program become eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Students must pass a written comprehensive exam at the end of the program in order to obtain a M.S. degree. Students must be enrolled in the University during the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exam is administered.

The SHSU M.S./DI program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

Dietetic Internship application deadline is February 15:

  1. Submission of the online centralized internship application (DICAS)
  2. Register with D&D Digital for computer matching
  3. SHSU DI Application Fee

Only students matched to the DI program will complete the M.S. in Dietetics application.

The following documents must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcript from baccalaureate degree granting institution, including the transcript that shows the date the undergraduate degree was conferred
  4. Official GRE scores - minimum score of 290 (verbal + quantitative)

Students should have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA or GPA of 3.0 or higher within the last 60 hours. A holistic review of each student’s application will be completed on a competitive basis.

The DPD verification statement from an ACEND accredited program with original signature must be submitted to the DI Director prior to the start date of the program. 

Master of Science in Dietetics
Specified Courses
FACS 5079Dietetic Internship Practicum 19
FACS 5330Seminr Fam & Consumer Sci Rsch3
FACS 5367Consumer & Food Technology3
FACS 5375Seminar in Recent Developments in Family and Consumer Sciences3
FACS 5383Research Problems3
FACS 5385Sports Nutrition3
FACS 5395Dietary Supplements3
FACS 5396Cultural Food Counseling3
FACS 5398Public Health Nutrition3
SOCI 5314Social Statistics3
Total Hours36

Note: All courses require Graduate Standing and admittance in MS in Dietetics program.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MS in Dietetics is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Review literature and research for best evidence-based practices.
  • Nutrition counseling and presentations.
  • Implementation of research methods.
  • Analysis and interpretation of data.
  • Work with an interdisciplinary team towards a common goal.