Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics)
Website: https://twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences/graduate-programs/ms-exercise-and-sports-nutrition/
This M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (ESN) with an emphasis in Nutrition Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (GPND) is tailored specifically to those students enrolled in the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited TWU Houston GPND. Students completing the Thesis option will be required to conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students completing the Coursework option are required to complete the Capstone Seminar. Students who successfully complete both the M.S. in ESN (GPND) qualify to take the national registration examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Apply nutrition knowledge to optimize specific health benefits.
- Appropriately interpret nutrition research to support evidence-based practice.
- Communicate nutrition information in written and verbal form for both professional and general audiences.
- Effectively contribute to a healthcare team.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
39 semester credit hours (SCH).
Thesis Option (39 SCH)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NFS 5071 & NFS 5072 | Supervised Experiential Learning 1: GPND Orientation and Supervised Experiential Learning 1: Foundations of Practice in Nutrition & Dietetics | 3 |
| NFS 5083 | Supervised Experiential Learning 2: Applied Nutrition Practice | 3 |
| NFS 5093 | Supervised Experiential Learning 3: Advanced Practice Integration | 3 |
| NFS 5103 | Supervised Experiential Learning 4: Competency Synthesis and Credentialing Preparation | 3 |
| NFS 5163 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| or KINS 5553 | Applied Exercise Physiology | |
| NFS 5183 | Leadership & Management in Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 |
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5233 | Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | 3 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| NFS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| NFS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| Sports Internship/Practicum | ||
| Select 3 SCH from the following | 3 | |
| Professional Practicum in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (135 contact hours) | ||
| Sports Nutrition Practicum (Taken 3 times for 45 contact hours each) | ||
The sports nutrition internship/practicum may be completed at a single site or at multiple sites. Students may take NFS 5681 three times for internships/practicums completed at numerous sites and/or spread over multiple semesters with approval from program coordinator. | ||
| Total SCHs | 39 | |
Coursework-Only Option (39 SCH)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| NFS 5071 & NFS 5072 | Supervised Experiential Learning 1: GPND Orientation and Supervised Experiential Learning 1: Foundations of Practice in Nutrition & Dietetics | 3 |
| NFS 5233 | Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | 3 |
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| NFS 5083 | Supervised Experiential Learning 2: Applied Nutrition Practice | 3 |
| NFS 5183 | Leadership & Management in Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 |
| NFS 5163 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| or KINS 5553 | Applied Exercise Physiology | |
| NFS 5093 | Supervised Experiential Learning 3: Advanced Practice Integration | 3 |
| NFS 5103 | Supervised Experiential Learning 4: Competency Synthesis and Credentialing Preparation | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders | ||
| Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism | ||
| Functional Foods | ||
| Advanced Nutritional Care | ||
| Nutrition and Gerontology | ||
| Nutrition and Women's Health | ||
| Nutrition Education | ||
| Advanced Preventive Nutrition | ||
| Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pediatrics | ||
| Nutrition for Collegiate and Professional Sports | ||
| Nutrition in Pregnancy and Infancy | ||
| Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements | ||
| Pathophysiology and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome | ||
| Principles of Clinical Instruction in Nutritional Care | ||
| Advanced Nutritional Epidemiology | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study (Credit cannot be received for both 5911 and 5913) | ||
| Research in Nutrition and Food Sciences | ||
| Research in Nutrition and Food Sciences (Credit cannot be received for both 5961 and 5963) | ||
6000 level courses offered in Nutrition with approval of advisory committee and permission of the instructor | ||
Elective coursework may be selected from courses above, another department, or up to 3 transfer credits with approval from the advisory committee. | ||
| Internship/Practicum | ||
| Select 3 SCH from the following | 3 | |
| Professional Practicum in Exercise and Sports Nutrition (135 contact hours) | ||
| Sports Nutrition Practicum (Taken 3 times for 45 contact hours each) | ||
| The sports nutrition internship/practicum may be completed at a single site or at multiple sites. Students may take NFS 5681 three times for internships/practicums completed at numerous sites and/or spread over multiple semesters with approval from program coordinator. | ||
| Final Examination | ||
| NFS 5633 | Capstone Lecture (Submission of Capstone application to advisor and/or course instructor required for registration) | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 39 | |
Capstone (Coursework-Only Option)
Students in the MS ESN (GPND) Coursework-Only Option must complete NFS 5633 during their final semester (or within the last 9 credit hours) for degree completion.
Minor
A minimum of 9 graduate semester credit hours in an area of emphasis can be achieved within the total number of program hours or by taking additional coursework. If a minor is declared, a faculty member in that minor area of study must serve on the academic committee.
