Graduate Programs in Nutritional Sciences and Wellness

The following courses are required to earn the Professional Science Masters in Applied Nutrition - Nutrition & Health Emphasis.

• NSC 501: Statistics for Applied Nutritional Sciences (1 unit)
• NSC 502: Statistics for Applied Nutritional Sciences II (1 unit)
• NSC 509: Advanced Nutrition Metabolism and Disease (3 units)
• NSC 519: Advanced Applied Nutritional Sciences (3 units)
• NSC 562: Leadership and Communication in Nutrition & Dietetics (3 units)
• NSC 610: Nutrition & Disease (3 units)
• PLUS Coursework (9 units) - Multiple course options available
• NSC 597: Capstone Prep Workshop (1 unit)
• NSC 698A: Capstone I (3 units)
• NSC 698B: Capstone II (3 units)

*Click here for course descriptions.

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Courses for the Applied Nutrition –Nutrition & Wellness Emphasis costs $650 per unit for Residents and Non-Residents.

Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR) may be applied for this program.

Applicants to the PSM in Applied Nutrition - Nutrition & Wellness Emphasis program must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition from an accredited institution OR minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in an undergraduate degree
   
• If undergraduate degree is in a field other than nutrition, coursework in the following subjects is required for admission—course descriptions may be requested:
  Physiology – 3-4 units, equivalent to UA 200-level or higher courses, such as:
       PSIO 201 or 202 – Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or 2 (4 units each)
       PSIO 305 – Integrative Systems Physiology (3 units)
       PSIO 380 – Fundamentals of Human Physiology (4 units)

  Biochemistry – 3 units, equivalent to UA 200-level or higher courses, such as:
       BIOC 384 – Foundations in Biochemistry (3 units)
       BIOC 385 – Metabolic Biochemistry (3 units)

  Nutrition – 6 units:
       3 units, equivalent to UA 100-level or higher nutrition courses, such as:
                 NSC 101 – Introduction to Human Nutrition (3 units)
                 NSC 170C1 – Nutrition, Food, and You (3 units)
       3 units, equivalent to UA 200-level or higher nutrition courses, such as:
                 NSC 275 – Fundamentals of Precision Nutrition and Wellness (3 units)
                 NSC 301 – Nutrition and the Life Cycle (3 units)
                 NSC 308 – Nutrition and Metabolism (3 units)
   

• Additionally, because the program is delivered exclusively online, the following student characteristics are essential to successfully completing the program:
  • Self-directed, independent learner
  • Able to manage time effectively
  • Effective written and verbal communication
  • Able to utilize a wide range of resources effectively

Domestic Applicants:

• Fall: June 1
• Spring: October 1
• Summer: March 1

International Applicants*:

• Fall: February 1
• Spring: August 1
• Summer: February 1

* International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Resume
• Purpose statement
• Official transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation

Kayle Skorupski, MS, RDN-AP, CSG, CNSC, FAND
FEM-G Program Director
Applied Nutrition Programs Coordinator
520-205-6046
kayleskorupski@arizona.edu

The University of Arizona Didactic Program in Dietetics, which includes the ISPP program, is accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL
60606-6995, (312) 899-0040, ext. 5400

http://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND

The ISPP provides students a quality education for entry into supervised practice, graduate school, or the workforce in nutrition or a related field.

• At least 80% of program graduates will 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%.
• 80% of ISPP Interns complete program / degree requirements within 150% of the program length.
• 90% of ISPP Interns will be employed in the field of nutrition and dietetics within one year of completing the program.
• 80% of ISPP Interns rate the overall quality of the program as "Excellent" or "Good."
• 80% of employers rate graduate's preparation for entry-level performance as average, above average, or excellent.

The ISPP Program provides students with experiential learning opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and beliefs to be successful in supervised practice, graduate school, or the workforce in nutrition or a related field.

• At least 80% of program graduates will 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%.
• 80% of ISPP Interns complete program / degree requirements within 150% of the program length.
• 90% of ISPP interns will be employed in the field of nutrition and dietetics within one year of completing the program.
• 80% of ISPP Interns will rate the overall quality of the program as “Excellent” or “Good."
• 80% of employers rate graduate's preparation for entry-level performance as average, above average, or excellent.

The UArizona ISPP program does not participate in computer matching.

Graduates of UArizona School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness programs are given preference when applying for the UArizona ISPP program. Consideration will be given to strong applicants who are not graduates of UArizona programs, particularly for the Distance pathway. A selection committee will select interviews based on a review of their application packet and interview.

Interns who are offered acceptance into the program will have 48 hours to respond; after 48 hours, the offer may be withdrawn. Acceptance will not be deferred. Individuals are eligible to apply for the ISPP (1) if they have completed a graduate degree and have previously participated in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) within the past 24 months and did not match to another internship program or (2) if they are a doctoral degree holder and have met the ISPP program prerequisites. 

Tucson Track applications are accepted once per year in April/May. An application timeline is posted below. 

Distance Track applications are accepted three times per year depending on when the applicant wants to start. Applicants must submit their application at least 3-4 months before their intended start date to allow time for application review, establishment of contracts and intern on boarding procedures. 

Distance applicants are encouraged to reach out the ISPP Coordinators to discuss their application in advance.

Distance Application Deadlines:
January 15th to start April, May, June, or July
April 15th to start August, September, October or November
October 15th to start January, February, or March

2023 ADMISSIONS TIMELINE

• Internship Application Guide 2022 - Includes costs, requirements, important dates, etc.
• DPD/ISPP Student Handbook (2023-2024)
• Work & Volunteer Experience Calculation Form
• Distance Application Form
• Memorandum of Understanding Template
• DPD Requirements Worksheet - UA Alumni
• DPD Requirements Worksheet - Outside Applicants

ISPP applications must be emailed in PDF format to program coordinator Kaydi Williams. Recommendation letters can be emailed directly from recommenders to Kaydi Williams.

Kaydi Williams, RDN
ISPP and PSM-Dietetics Coordinator
kaydiwilliams@email.arizona.edu
(520) 621-1404

• One semester of Organic Chemistry (3 units) with laboratory (1 unit), equivalent to Chem 241 A or B and Chem 243 A or B
• One year (minimum 6 units) of upper division Biochemistry (junior or senior level)
• One year (6 units) of Biology, equivalent to BIO 181R and 182R (Microbiology can count toward one semester of this requirement)
• One year (minimum 6 units) of Human Physiology
• One semester (3 units) of upper division, undergraduate Nutrition Science, equivalent to NSC 408 Nutritional Biology

Additional courses required for PhD

• One additional semester of any Chemistry laboratory course (2 units) such as Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Food Analysis

**** Required course descriptions can be found on the UA Academic Catalog site.

Students may be admitted into the NSGP with a deficiency but will need to make them up without graduate credit during their first year of graduate study.

GRE: Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are not required for admission to the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Program. If you have taken the GRE, you may upload the results as a supplemental document to your application. The institution code for the University of Arizona is 0214.

English Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential for successful graduate study. For applicants whose native language is not English, please refer to both of these websites for current requirements:

• Graduate College, International Applicants
• Graduate College, Graduate Assistant/Associate Appointment Requirements

Laboratories and offices for graduate study in Nutritional Sciences and Wellness are located within the Shantz Building as well as throughout the UA campus. The University of Arizona provides graduate student access to a wide variety of research tools to support clinical, animal, basic, and molecular research.

Most students enter the NSGP with some level of support. There are basically three sources of support for students (described below), and the source of support will determine whether you rotate through laboratories.

Fellowship: Students can chose any advisor they wish but the choice should be made early in the program within the first several months because the fellowship may be linked to a particular research program. Often this decision is made before arrival at the university. The stipend will vary depending on the fellowship award. An example is the Ruth Kirschstein NRSA Program for NIGMS MARC Pre-doctoral Fellowships (F31).

School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness Assistantship: Offered/awarded to students during the admission process; may be either a teaching assistantship or a research assistantship or some combination of both. Because it involves the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness funds, students on assistantships are required to rotate through research laboratories. This generally provides ½ time (20 hours/week) support for the first year. Students receiving a School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness Assistantship will receive a quarter-time (10 hours/week) assistantship starting at the beginning of the second year (1 July). The laboratory in which the student is doing their thesis/dissertation research may supplement their support up to but not in excess of ½ time (20 hours/week) support for their second year and support the student financially up to ¾ time (30 hours/week) in their remaining years of study. After the student’s second year of study, the departmental support will not be available to students. A student cannot receive more than 30 hours/week in financial support.

Individual Faculty Assistantship: Funded by grants awarded to individual faculty in the program. Because these funds are provided by a grant, the student is not required to rotate through laboratories, but works in the laboratory of the faculty member receiving the grant funds. In rare instances, a faculty member may request a student complete a rotation.

The Nutritional Sciences Graduate Program accepts students for the fall semester only. Completed applications must be received by the Graduate College no later than January 3rd for both international students and domestic students. Your application will be considered once you have submitted all required documentation. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will automatically be denied. Paper applications will no longer be accepted. No late applications will be accepted.

The following materials are needed to complete the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Program online application:

• Current resume or curriculum vitae which includes education, honors, memberships and participation in professional organizations, employment history, research and scholarly activities, and publications.
• Statement of Purpose: What are your goals and objectives for pursuing this graduate degree? What are your qualifications and indicators of success in this endeavor? Why do you want to attend the University of Arizona to achieve these goals? Please include career objectives that obtaining this degree will provide. You are also encouraged to provide other information you feel will be valuable for the review of your application.
• Letters of recommendation (two for MS; three for PhD). Successful academic recommendations should:
  • Provide information related to your aptitude, curiosity and industriousness
  • Demonstrate your maturity and seriousness of purpose
  • Speak to your leadership ability
  • Describe your character
  • Include other pertinent information about you -- things not readily apparent from admission test scores or transcripts. Possible recommenders might include:
    • Faculty member with whom you have been involved in research
    • Course instructor
    • Previous employer
• You are required to submit official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended. For detailed information on what constitutes official transcripts please review Graduate College Transcript Requirements. The application will permit you to upload scanned or electronic versions of your transcripts and diplomas for initial evaluation purposes only and does not eliminate the need for official transcripts to be submitted.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and TOEFL if necessary.

Applicants should use the online application provided by the University of Arizona Graduate College to apply for admission and follow its instructions for the submission of test scores. Application information is on the University of Arizona Graduate College website.

Contact our Graduate Programs Coordinator!

Peggy Rupert
Graduate Programs Coordinator
School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness

Phone: 520-626-0970
Email: prupert@arizona.edu

GOOD STANDING

Good standing status denotes that a student is eligible to continue in or to return to the University.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Students enrolled in the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Program (NSGP) at the University of Arizona must maintain a 3.000 grade-point-average (GPA) and meet the School’s academic criteria toward degree completion. The minimum 3.000 GPA is based on all coursework taken for graduate credit.

Key criteria for satisfactory academic progress set by the NSGP includes:

• Enrollment and satisfactory grades in nine (9) units of coursework per semester in year 1 of the program and six (6) units per semester thereafter when funded by a College of Agriculture Graduate Assistantship/Associateship.
• An approved Plan of Study (submitted in GradPath) by the end of the 2nd semester for students enrolled in the MS program, and by the end of the 3rd semester for students enrolled in the PhD program.
• Successful completion of all coursework in the Plan of Study within six (6) years for MS students.
• Completion of all requirements for PhD students within five (5) years of passing the comprehensive exam. Students who not finish within this time frame must appeal to the School of Nutritional Sciences & Wellness and the NSGP Graduate Research Degrees Committee to retake their comprehensive exam. Students permitted to retake their comprehensive exam may then complete their remaining degree requirements, such as the dissertation.

Additional requirements that impact NSGP satisfactory academic progress are listed in the student handbook. Failure to meet these requirements may result in the student being placed on academic probation and possibly conversion to graduate nondegree status by the Dean of the Graduate College. The Graduate College will apply the appropriate criteria when the School requests a student's conversion to graduate nondegree status.

PROBATION, ACADEMIC

Graduate students who fail to maintain a cumulative 3.000 grade-point-average (GPA), and/or do not meet the specific academic progress criteria of their department, will be placed on academic probation. Students on probation are required to meet with their major advisor, discuss the steps to be taken to remediate the problems that led to the probationary status, and devise a written plan of action to be submitted to the Graduate College.

Students whose cumulative GPA is below 3.000 for two consecutive semesters will be converted to non-degree status by the Graduate College. The NSGP  may allow students to continue to take graduate courses in non-degree status. Students can apply for readmission to a degree program as early as the semester after their conversion to non-degree status if they achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000 through additional graduate course work. A readmission request must be supported by the head of the major department and approved by the Dean of the Graduate College. There is no guarantee of readmission.

Non-degree students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.000 for more than two consecutive semesters may be blocked from further enrollment.

GRADUATE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) CALCULATION, OR AVERAGING OF GRADES

The grade-point-average is the arithmetic mean of the grade points earned for all credits taken at the University of Arizona for University Credit or by Special Examination for Grade, where regular grades are awarded. Ordinarily, cumulative GPAs are calculated using only the courses at the career level of the student. For example, the graduate GPA is based on graduate courses only.

Only regular grades (A, B, C, D, E) are included in the calculation of the grade-point-average. Grade points are assigned to each regular grade as follows:

To calculate the GPA, the unit value for each course in which a student receives one of the above grades is multiplied by the number of grade points for that grade. The sum of these products is then divided by the sum of the units.

For example, to calculate the cumulative GPA for these completed courses:

Multiply the units represented by each grade by the number of points for that grade:

The cumulative GPA is the sum of the grade points divided by the sum of the units. In this case: 62/19 = 3.263.

Click here for a list of our graduate courses with descriptions.

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GRADUATE PROGRAM FORMS

• Citing References
• CV Template
• Fellowship Submission Guidelines
• Graduate Student Progress Report Policy
• Graduate Student Progress Report
• Graduate Student Annual Review Policy
• Graduate Student Annual Review
• Master Degree Forms on GradPath
• Mentor Lab Rotation Evaluation
• NSGP Curriculum
• Petition Guidelines
• PhD Degree Forms on GradPath
• Potential Elective Courses
• Research Trainings
• Student Lab Rotation Evaluation
• Travel Award Criteria
• Travel Request Form
• Turnitin Instructions

HELPFUL LINKS

The University of Arizona

• Calendars & Events
• Campus Map
• The University of Arizona Library (SABIO)
• Arizona Health Science Library
• Parking & Transportation Services
• Graduate College

Nutritional Sciences

• Campus Health
• Graduate Assistant / Associate Health Insurance Benefits
• Student Financial Aid
• Human Resources Orientation
• University Animal Care Training (working with animals)
• University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
• Radiation Safety Training (if using radioactive materials, lasers, or machines producing ionizing or other nonionizing radiation)
• Laboratory Safety Training Risk Management (hazardous chemicals; bloodborne pathogens)
• Human Subjects
• Respiratory Protecion Training (if required to wear a respirator)
• Institutional Biosafety Committee (recombinant DNA or microbial pathogens)
• American Society for Nutrition
• NIH Dietary Supplements
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Journal of Nutrition Online
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• American Heart Association
• American Cancer Society
• United States Department of Agriculture

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• 1 semester of Organic Chemistry (3 units) with laboratory (1 unit), equivalent to Chem 241 A, B, and Chem 243 A, B
• 1 year (minimum 6 units) of upper division Biochemistry (junior or senior level)
• 1 year (6 units) of Biology, equivalent to bio 181r AND 182R (Microbiology can count toward 1 semester of this requirement)
• 1 year (minimum 6 units) of Human Physiology
• 1 semester (3 units) of upper division, undergraduate Nutrition Science, equivalent to NSC 408 Nutritional Biology

* Required course descriptions can be found on the UA Academic Catalog site.

Students are invited to apply for admission to the minor in Nutritional Sciences after enrollment in the Graduate College and after completing at least one semester of their graduate program. One member of the student's Oral Comprehensive and Final Examination Committee must be a faculty member in the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness. An application form for the minor must be signed by the student and their minor advisor before it is signed by the NSGP. Once signed, a copy must be provided to the Coordinator of the NSGP to be kept on file.

Graduate students who minor in Nutritional Sciences must complete a minimum of 10 units of graduate nutrition coursework with a grade of B or better.

CORE COURSES

• NSC 608: Metabolism and Energetics (3 units)
• NSC 610: Nutrition and Disease (3 units)
• NSC 624: Micronutrients (3 units)
• NSC 561: Emerging Topics in Nutritional Sciences (1 unit)

If a student would like a variance of these core courses, they must submit a petition to their major advisor and the Graduate Research Degree Committee (GRD). The major advisor must approve the petition before it is sent to the GRD. The student should provide a brief, factual letter that provides documentation for why a variance should be made. To initiate this petition, contact Richard Simpson, PhD, Chair of the GCS (rjsimpson@arizona.edu).

OTHER NSC GRADUATE COURSES

• NSC 515R: Advanced Sports Nutrition (3 units)
• NSC 595: Emerging Topics in Nutritional Sciences (1 unit)
• NSC 561: Communicating Nutritional Sciences (1 unit)
• NSC 675: Advanced Nutrigenomics

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If you have questions regarding the PhD Minor in Nutritional Sciences, please contact the Coordinator of the Nutritional Sciences Graduate Program, Peggy Rupert (prupert@arizona.edu).

GCAN program applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor degree in Nutrition or related field from an accredited institution.
• Undergraduate Physiology and Biochemistry courses are prerequisites for GCAN courses.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA overall in undergraduate degree.
• International students must submit a Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) Score of 79 or (Paper-based) Score of 550.  The minimum IELTS (overall band score) is 7.
• Additionally, because the GCAN is delivered exclusively online, the following student characteristics are essential to successfully completing the program:
  • Self-directed, independent learner
  • Able to manage time effectively
  • Effective written and verbal communication
  • Able to utilize a wide range of resources effectively

Courses in the GCAN cost $650 per unit for both Residents and Non-residents. QTR may be applied to tuition for this program.

Students accepted into the GCAN must complete the following courses to earn the Certificate:

• NSC 501: Statistics for Applied Nutrition I
• NSC 502: Statistics for Applied Nutritional Sciences II
• NSC 509: Advanced Nutrition Metabolism and Disease
• NSC 519: Advanced Applied Nutritional Sciences
• NSC 542: Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
• NSC 545: Assessment and Regulation of Human Body Composition –or– NSC 575: Nutrigenomics for the Study of Disease Prevention and Intervention

All courses will be fully distributed through online course tool platforms and technology. Click here for course descriptions.

• Define and describe evidence-based nutritional science research methods and apply appropriate research methods to clinical case studies and research scenarios;
• Synthesize current scientific literature from various sources to produce a review paper written in the style of a nutrition journal and produce a presentation appropriate for health professionals;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the metabolism and genetic interactions of the macronutrients, including application to health and disease;
• Identify risk factors associated with the development of chronic disease and describe dietary management strategies for the prevention and management of the most common chronic diseases;
• Demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate the literature related to nutrition and topics covered in the certificate courses using methods established by the A.N.D  Evidence Analysis Library;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the metabolic influences of select class topics regarding anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and diagnostic parameters used for assessing systemic and nutrition health status
• Apply an evidence-based approach to examine medical nutrition therapy for the prevention and management of related class topics;
• Describe the fundamentals of data collection and measurement;
• Identify appropriate statistical models and software for quantitative data analysis.

Domestic students may transfer up to 6 units of coursework taken as non-degree seeking students. This means that you may enroll in the required certificate courses prior to being admitted into the program. This does not mean that you may transfer other courses to count toward the certificate. The only courses taken as a non-degree-seeking student that may be applied to the GCAN are NSC 501, NSC 509, NSC 519, NSC 542, NSC 545, NSC 575 or NSC 502.

International students are not permitted to enroll in online classes outside of a certificate or degree program. In other words, international students must be accepted into the certificate program prior to enrolling in online courses.

For complete application requirements and instructions on how to apply to the graduate college, please click here. Students must be admitted into the graduate college prior to enrolling in courses.

GCAN Program Handbook

Kayle Skorupski, MS, RDN-AP, CSG, CNSC, FAND
GCAN Coordinator
520-205-6046
kayleskorupski@arizona.edu