Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for Graduate Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) the Coordinated (MS/CP) Program in Dietetics.
NEW! Public Health Nutrition focus area in the new Master of Public Health program at CSU
Online Master's Degree in Dietetics
An online advanced degree program for registered dietitians or individuals who are registration-eligible.
MS in Food Science and Nutrition GPIdea Distance Option in Dietetics
Great Plains Interactive Distance Alliance (GPIdea) online MS is an inter-institutional distance Master of Science program. GPIdea is sponsored by Kansas State University. Member institutions include: Colorado State University (CSU), Iowa State University (ISU), Kansas State University (KSU), University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) , S. Dakota State University (SDSU), N. Dakota State University (NDSU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU). Students are accepted to the host institution and register for classes at the institution but actually take online classes offered by any of the partner institutions.
Program Need/Target Population: The program will target Registered Dietitians seeking a Master of Science Degree. Currently the Commission on Dietetic Registration has adopted the Professional Development Portfolio for continuing education to maintain Registered Dietitian status. Students need to plan for future practice and develop a cohesive education plan to meet those goals, which will undoubtedly involve obtaining an advanced degree. 45% of Registered Dietitians nationwide hold a MS degree. Clearly the advanced degree is valued by dietetics professionals. The MS degree is associated with wage gains (2002 Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Survey, ADA). The Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Report also indicated that 42% of dietitians receive college tuition assistance as an employment benefit. Employed professionals cannot come to Fort Collins to attend traditional delivery courses at CSU. Within 10 years, Dietetic Registration will require a MS degree with coordinated supervised practice as the minimum education preparation.
Program : The program is a 36-credit online inter-institutional Master of Science Degree in Food Science and Nutrition/Dietetics Option Admission Requirements: Students must meet the following criteria to be admitted to the online Master's program:
Program of Studies: Upon completion of the following coursework, the student will earn a Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition in the Dietetics Option
For more information contact Mary Harris, PhD, RD, BC-ADM mary.harris@colostate.edu
........THE END OF ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREE IN DIETETICS........
The M.S. Programs of Study forms:
The Graduate program in Food Science and Human Nutrition lead to a Master of Science degree. See the following list of specializations:
Emphasis in Human Nutrition
The emphasis in human nutrition features work in advanced nutrition sciences, and supporting basic sciences. Thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) options are available. The program of study may be directed toward experimental nutrition, sports nutrition, community (public health) nutrition, or nutrition education.
Students with a B.S. degree in nutrition, food science, or a basic science such as biology, chemistry, microbiology or physiology usually have an appropriate foundation for a graduate program in human nutrition. Students from the social sciences usually need to make up deficiencies in physiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and college algebra prior to admission.
Graduate students may become eligible to write the examination for becoming a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) through completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework.
Emphasis in Food Science
The specialization in food science is available in either the thesis (Plan A) or non-thesis (Plan B) option. The program of study emphasizes food science and supporting basic sciences. Studies can be oriented toward meat science, cereal science, food microbiology, food preservation, food safety, the extrusion processing of food, or other specialized areas in food science. Students with a B.S. degree in food science, nutrition, or a basic science such as biology, chemistry, microbiology, animal science, horticulture, or agronomy usually have an appropriate foundation for a graduate program in food science.
Emphasis in Nutrition and Exercise Science
The FSHN Department offers a specialization within the M.S. degree, Nutrition and Exercise Science (NES). This is NOT a separate M.S. degree, but is a specialization that will be acknowledged on the official transcript. This program of study provides the FSHN graduate student with the opportunity to gain expertise in both nutrition and exercise science. The focus of this specialization is the interaction of diet and exercise on health and chronic disease risk reduction. This program is not designed for students wanting to study sports nutrition. Students combine a strong nutritional sciences curriculum with 3 additional courses from the Department of Health and Exercise Science, and also complete a thesis (plan A) or research project (plan B). Students interested in this specialization must have successfully completed undergraduate courses in biology, physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, and exercise physiology.
Functional Foods for Health Specialization
This program of study emphasizes the emerging area of functional foods for health and supporting basic sciences. Students with a B.S. degree in food science, nutrition, or a basic science such as biology, chemistry, microbiology, animal science, plant science, biotechnology or pharmacy usually have an appropriate foundation for a graduate program in functional foods for health. Thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) options are available.
Interdisciplinary Studies Program in Exercise Science and Nutrition
An interdisciplinary graduate program in Exercise Science and Nutrition is offered as a cooperative effort between the Department of Health and Exercise Science and the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. The program provides a unique opportunity for students to pursue combined educational interests in fitness, diet/nutrition, health, and human performance. Students admitted to this program will receive their M.S. degree in either department, and successful completion of requirements for the interdisciplinary studies program will be noted on their transcript. Faculty from both departments co-chair graduate thesis committees and students are encouraged to explore research topics that bridge the respective disciplines of the departments. The graduate committee for each enrolled student will consist of an adviser and additional member from the home department and a co-adviser from the alternate department. Successful completion of the program will be noted on the students' transcripts. Students must first be admitted to one of the two departments, and then make application to the interdisciplinary program after the first semester of enrollment. The program is limited to the number of students that may be enrolled.
Peace Corps - Master's International Program
Colorado State University and the United States Peace Corps participate in a cooperative masters degree program. This program provides an opportunity to integrate graduate study with international development practice through Peace Corps field experience.
Description Colorado State University offers a Master of Science (M.S.) program with an emphasis in Human Nutrition, Food Science, Exercise Science and Nutrition or the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nutritional Science or Food Science. A minimum of thirty-five semester credits are required for the masters, depending upon the program of study. The program consists of three semesters of academic study on campus prior to departure and one to two semesters after returning from the Peace Corps. Program participants must meet core academic requirements of their respective programs before Peace Corps service. Eight semester thesis or independent study credits may be earned for the Peace Corps assignment and credit will be granted for Peace Corps service upon submission of either a thesis or a professional paper. The program of study is individually designed to meet the student's professional/career objectives, taking into consideration the needs of the Peace Corps and the host country. Competitively based scholarships, research and teaching assistantships may be available through the academic department.
Requirements To complete the program, at least two semesters of course work (four semesters for the TEFL/TESL program) must be taken on the Colorado State University campus. The time between the second to the last and the last semester is spent as a Peace Corps volunteer. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a program related discipline; 3.0 GPA; GRE (judged relative to the student's desired specialization); three letters of recommendation; and a statement of professional/career objectives. Questions about the Peace Corps Master's International program or application packets can be requested from the Office of International Programs, Laurel Hall, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins CO 80523-1024 or intled@colostate.edu six months prior to the semester for which students are applying. Peace Corps and Colorado State University Graduate School applications are available on-line. The following resources contain very good information about the program and application packets:
Interdisciplinary Studies Program in Food Science/Safety
The interdisciplinary graduate research and education program is a cooperative effort offered by faculty in seven departments: Food Science and Human Nutrition; Animal Sciences; Soil and Crop Sciences; Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences; Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology; and Clinical Sciences. The international reputation of the faculty members and their ability to attract strong extramural support for research in the areas of food science and food safety resulted in the creation of this interdisciplinary program Faculty research interests are focused in food microbiology, food safety education, food processing and integrated production/processing. Students interested in the safety and further processing of foods and commodities are encouraged to apply.
Students can apply and be admitted into one of the participating departments and take part in Program activities. Student interactions with faculty from more than one department are strongly encouraged. Graduate programs are customized to fit a student's interests and long-term objectives. Basic training in the food sciences comes from an integrated first-year curriculum featuring core courses in food science, microbiology, nutrition and commodity production. Opportunities exist for students to rotate through various laboratories. Students also participate in a weekly interdisciplinary group-study that includes papers given by students, post docs, participating faculty and distinguished visiting scientists, along with visits to member laboratories. The group-study course is designed to enhance interaction and facilitate research opportunities among the food science/safety community, including students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows and staff and may be offered by the participating departments on a rotational basis.
The student receives a degree from their home department and a transcript endorsement indicating the student has successfully completed the requirements of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program in Food Science/Safety, which will become part of the student's official record.
Students who wish to pursue the Interdisciplinary Studies Program in Food Science/Safety at the graduate level must declare their intent with the chair of the Faculty Advisory Board and our representative Dr. Marisa Bunning marisa.bunning@colostate.edu More information about the program is available at the: ISP-Food Science Safety link.
