Degrees Offered

Students throwing caps

The Department of Nutritional Sciences offers both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences, as well as a Master of Science in Personalized Nutrition. University of Connecticut undergraduates can also pursue a fast track pathway (4 + 1 program) that allows them to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences degree in 5 years. Students in the MS and PhD in Nutritional Sciences elect to emphasize one of four areas in human nutrition: Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition, Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Community/Public Health Nutrition, and Food Science/Nanotechnology. Each emphasis area is interdisciplinary in approach and is supported by other departments at the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Health, as well as collaborative arrangements with other institutions. Opportunities for interdisciplinary research and study exist with other departments and university units. All programs require a thesis, dissertation or expanded paper, in addition to the completion of appropriate Graduate courses and examinations. The MS in Personalized Nutrition is fully online and does not require a thesis. This specialized MS in Personalized Nutrition uniquely combines courses in nutrigenomics, clinical nutrition, and nutritional biochemistry to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills for Personalized Nutrition professionals.

 

Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences

Plan A (thesis MS program)
    • Most MS candidates have enrolled in the Plan A program, which requires a minimum of a total of 30 credits, a written general examination, and a research thesis. The course work is designed to develop an advanced level of knowledge in nutrition and related sciences, and prepare the student for developing specific research competencies.
    • The thesis topic is selected by the student and the Major Advisor. Near the end of the course work phase, all MS students must successfully complete a comprehensive written General Nutrition Knowledge examination prepared by the Graduate Committee and the Advisory Committee.
Plan B (non-thesis MS program)
    • The non-thesis MS program (Plan B) is available for a small group of students who already have practical experience in the field of Nutritional Sciences.
    • This program requires that each student complete a minimum of 30 credits, pass the comprehensive written examination, and prepare a review paper that is to be presented orally to the Department.

 

Master of Science in Personalized Nutrition (Online)

The MS in Personalized Nutrition program is a professional degree that uniquely combines courses in nutrigenomics, clinical nutrition, and nutritional biochemistry to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills for Personalized Nutrition professionals. For more information on this program, please click here.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences

The PhD program consists of three parts:
    1. 25-30 credits of advanced course work, beyond the MS degree, selected with Advisory Committee approval.
    2. The General Preliminary Examination involves two stages. Each student is required to take and pass a written examination at or near the end of the coursework program, followed by an oral exam. After the successful completion of the predoctoral written and oral exams, a student is required to write a detailed proposal describing their research, the Dissertation Prospectus, which is defended orally to the Department. When a student has passed both the written and oral component of the General Examination and passed their Prospectus, they are admitted to the PhD candidacy.
    3. A Ph.D. candidate presents and defends his/her dissertation research before their Advisory Committee, Graduate Faculty and peers.

 

Click here for FAQ on MS/PhD in Nutritional Sciences & MS in Personalized Nutrition.