Clinical Nutrition, M.S.

General Program Information

Graduate School Contact:

Michele Lamb; lambmm@etsu.edu; 423-439-4431

Michelle L. Lee, Ph.D., R.D., Graduate Coordinator

100 Hutcheson Hall
Box 70690
(423) 439-7524
e-mail: leeml2@etsu.edu

Ester L. Verhovsek Ed.D.
Chair, Department of Allied Health Sciences

1000 Jason Witten Way
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4902
e-mail: verhovse@etsu.edu

The Department of Allied Health Sciences offers a two-year program in clinical nutrition leading to a master of science degree. The 36-40 credit curriculum provides a study of medical nutrition therapy, management, nutrition in community, and nutrition research. The dietetic internship program (DI), which includes 1200 hours of supervised practice, also incorporates graduate level coursework as a mandatory component of the program. Students who choose to complete a thesis and an internship will be required to take 46 credits. The dietetic internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-5400. Students successfully completing the M.S. degree requirements and the internship program will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. Upon completion of the program and successful completion of the registration exam, students may become registered dietitians (RD) and seek positions as clinical, community, research, consultant, educator, and management dietitians.

Program Admission Requirements

1. Admission to the School of Graduate Studies.

2. Completion of the undergraduate didactic program in dietetics (DPD). Students applying to the dietetic internship program must also have received a verification statement or the intent to graduate from the DPD program director. Students from related disciplines will be required to complete the undergraduate prerequisites mandated by ACEND, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale.
   or
   Credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for the Advanced Standing degree. (Must provide copy of RD card.)

3. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the applicant’s undergraduate major and/or minor discipline.

4. Satisfactory references from three persons familiar with the applicant’s academic and work experience.

5. Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Exam. (GRE)

Applications are accepted for the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition in January and February. Guidelines for applying are found in the Graduate Catalog and on the ETSU web site. Dietetic Internship applications are accepted once per year in mid-February. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics set this deadline in accordance with the national computer matching process. Applicants will be notified of admission status in April for the Dietetic Internship Program. Students who are not applying for the internship program may be admitted and begin graduate coursework at the beginning of any semester.

Standard Program

Advanced Standing

Total Requirements

• Advanced Standing Option: 29 credit hours
• Thesis Option: 33 credit hours
• Non-Thesis Option (Internship Experience): 40 credit hours
• Thesis Option with Internship: 46 credit hours