Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Nutrition
Website: https://twu.edu/nutrition-food-sciences/graduate-programs/ms-in-exercise-and-sports-nutrition/
The M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition program prepares students for a career in the field of exercise and sports nutrition. Those who complete an external, free-standing ACEND-accredited dietetic internship will meet the requirements to qualify for a career in dietetics. This program is offered on the Denton and Houston campuses, as well as 100% online.
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.
- Integrate best nutrition practices to optimize exercise performance.
- Effectively communicate exercise and nutrition principles in written and verbal communications.
- Interpret scientific literature in the field of exercise and sports nutrition.
- Lead a team of exercise and sports nutrition professionals.
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
30 semester credit hours (SCH)
Thesis Option (30 SCH)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Group I – Required Courses (9 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| Research Methods or Statistics Course - Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | ||
| Statistics for Family Sciences | ||
| Methods of Research | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Group II – Additional Required Courses (9 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Applied Exercise Physiology | ||
| Select 3 SCH* from the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Practicum in Exercise and Sports Nutrition | ||
| Sports Nutrition Practicum (taken 3 times) | ||
| *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. | ||
| Group III - Elective Coursework (6 hours) | ||
| Coursework to be selected from additional courses from Nutrition and Food Sciences, Health Studies, Kinesiology, or coursework transferred from another institution (up to 6 hrs) with approval of the student’s advisory committee | 6 | |
| Aging and Health | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Foundations of Population Health | ||
| Graded Exercise Testing | ||
| Hormonal Responses during Exercise | ||
| Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders | ||
| Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism | ||
| Human Nutrition in Disease | ||
| 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 | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Research in Nutrition and Food Sciences | ||
| Research in Nutrition and Food Sciences | ||
| Note: A maximum of 6 credit hours for practicum, independent study, or cooperative education is permitted in this option. | ||
| Group IV – Thesis (6 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| NFS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 30 | |
Thesis Defense
Students selecting the thesis option will complete a final oral examination that should not exceed two hours and may not be taken more than twice.
Coursework-Only Option (30 SCH)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Group I - Required Courses (15 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5213 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5223 | Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NFS 5363 | Human Nutrition in Disease | 3 |
| NFS 5633 | Capstone Lecture | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Techniques in Nutrition Sciences | ||
| Statistics for Family Sciences | ||
| Methods of Research | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Group II - Additional Required Courses (9 SCH) | ||
| NFS 5583 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Applied Exercise Physiology | ||
| Select 3 SCH from the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Practicum in Exercise and Sports Nutrition | ||
| Sports Nutrition Practicum (taken 3 times) | ||
| *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. | ||
| Group III - Elective Coursework (6 SCH) | ||
| Coursework to be selected from additional courses from Nutrition and Food Sciences, Health Studies, Kinesiology, or coursework transferred from another institution (up to 6 SCH) with approval of the student’s advisory committee | 6 | |
| Aging and Health | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Foundations of Population Health | ||
| Graded Exercise Testing | ||
| Hormonal Responses during Exercise | ||
| Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders | ||
| Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarianism | ||
| Nutrition and Gerontology | ||
| Nutrition and Women's Health | ||
| Nutrition Education | ||
| Advanced Preventive Nutrition | ||
| Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pediatrics | ||
| Nutrition for Collegiate and Professional Sports | ||
| Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements | ||
| Pathophysiology and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome | ||
| Competency Development in Dietetics Practice | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Research in Nutrition and Food Sciences | ||
| Research in Nutrition and Food Sciences | ||
| Note: A maximum of 6 credit hours for practicum, independent study, or cooperative education is permitted in this option. Research hours are not permitted unless approved by advisor. | ||
| Total SCHs | 30 | |
Final Examination
Students in the M.S. in Exercise and Sports Nutrition Coursework-Only option must complete NFS 5633 during their final semester for degree completion.
Minor
A minimum of 9 graduate SCH in an area of emphasis can be achieved by taking additional coursework. If a minor is declared, a faculty member in that minor area of study must serve on the academic committee.
