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Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The master's degree program curriculum offers a thesis and non-thesis option.

The master's degree in dietetics and nutrition consists of 30 credit hours with both thesis and non-thesis research options. The program offers coursework in the biochemical, clinical and behavioral aspects of nutrition.

Degree requirements are normally completed within two years of admission to the program, although a maximum of seven years is allowed.

Program Curriculum

Course

Thesis
Option

Non-Thesis
Option

DN 834 Methods of Research in Nutrition

3 credit hours

3 credit hours

DN 895 Advanced Macronutrients & Ingegrated Metabolism

3 credit hours

3 credit hours

BIOS 704 Principles of Statistics in Public Health (or another biostatistics 700-800 level course)

3 credit hours

3 credit hours

DN 896 Advanced Micronutrients & Integrated Metabolism

3 credit hours

3 credit hours

DN 870 Health Behavior Counseling

1 credit hour

1 credit hour

DN 818 Seminar in Dietetics and Nutrition II

1 credit hour

1 credit hour

DN 819 Scientific Writing for the Nutritional Sciences

1 credit hour

1 credit hour

Research
(See below for differences between options)

3 credit hours
DN 899

3 credit hours
DN 854

DN 890 Graduate Research

3 credit hours

Electives*  
(Up to 6 hours may be outside the dietetics and nutrition program)

9 credit hours

12 credit hours

Total hours

30

30

* Students completing the dietetic internship and the MS program will have limited hours available for electives due to courses completed during the internship program.


Differences in Research Experiences for the Two Options

Characteristics

DN 899
Thesis

DN 854
Special Problems

Scope of research

Includes all aspects of the research process

Involves doing a part of the research process

Time period

Usually three semesters

Usually one semester

Written and oral presentation

Written research proposal; collection of research data; written thesis; oral research defense; and 30 min oral exam

One-page proposal; final written report, project defense, one hour oral exam

Course Descriptions

DN 800 Selected Topics in Clinical Dietetics (1-6 credits). A learner-centered, self-paced study of topics in applied clinical dietetics. Independent modules are offered to address the science and art of nutritional care relating to specific issues in clinical dietetics. Topics will be grouped in various combinations to provide flexibility of choice. Students may enroll in one or more topics for a total of six credit hours.

DN 817 Seminar in Dietetics and Nutrition (1 credit). Seminar designed to promote effectiveness of professional written and oral communication, increase knowledge of research, and review content information in selected topics in dietetics.

DN 818 Seminar in Dietetics & Nutrition II (1 credit). To promote effectiveness of professional written and oral communication, to increase knowledge of research, and to review content information in selected areas in dietetics.

DN 819 Scientific Writing for the Nutritional Sciences (1 credit). Research proposal preparation and/or scientific manuscript writing experience.  This course will provide the student with an overview of the steps used in proposal writing and/or the steps in preparation of a scientific manuscript for publication.

DN 822 Management Dietetics & Nutrition I (1-2 credits). Managerial skills in health care quality improvement and food service are practiced.  Students are typically enrolled in DN 827 Practicum supervised practice experiences associated with the dietetic internship.  Prerequisite: food service systems or commensurate practical experience.

DN 823 Management Dietetics & Nutrition II (2 credits). Managerial style is related to food policy, financial benchmarking and applied nutrition practice.  Students are typically enrolled in DN 827 Practicum supervised practice experiences associated with the dietetic internship.  Prerequisite: food service systems or commensurate practical experience.

DN 825 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 credits). Course content introduces the student into the concepts of an intermediate study of nutritional therapy of disease.  Course content includes evidence-based practice in prevention and nutritional management of diseases.  Patient assessment and medical chart documentation are covered.  Elements of pathology and biochemistry of the nutrition-related problems are integrated into course topics.  This course is designed for students enrolled in the dietetic internship but students from other departments may enroll with consent of instructor.  Prerequisite:  Undergraduate coursework in nutrition, diet therapy, biochemistry and physiology or consent of instructor.

DN 826 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 credits). Course content includes current nutrition theory and evidence-based practice in prevention and treatment of disease.  Advanced therapies and patient management in nutrition support will be discussed.  Course topics include pediatric nutrition, obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, renal disease, and gastrointestinal diseases.  Elements of pathology and biochemistry of the nutrition-related problems are integrated into course topics.  This course is designed for students enrolled in the dietetic internship but students from other departments may enroll with consent of instructor.  Prerequisite:  Undergraduate coursework in nutrition, diet therapy, biochemistry and physiology, DN 825 or consent of instructor.

DN 829 Nutrition and Aging (2 credits). An overview of nutrition and the aging process. Physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging, theories of aging, internal and external factors related to nutrient intake, and nutrient needs will be considered.

DN 834 Methods of Research in Nutrition (3 credits). A study of basic research terminology and designs commonly used in nutrition research. Topics include research on animals, tissue culture and human subjects; qualitative, quantitative and outcomes research; ethical issues in research; dissemination of research findings; and appropriate use of research findings. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

DN 838 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 credits, available online). This course provides an in-depth study of the pathophysiology of nutritional disease. Those functional disorders which result in nutritional disease or those nutritional diseases which affect physiological function will be explored. The emphasis will be in the following areas: endocrinology, metabolism, and gastroenterology. Those pathological disorders which result in nutritional disease or those nutrition diseases which affect physiological function will be explored.

DN 839 Clinical Aspects of Nutrition Support (3 credits, available online). Specialized nutrition assessment and support. Review of energy expenditure and substrate utilization in specific disease states. Current methods for the initiation and management of enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy including access, metabolic and mechanical complications. Evaluation of nutrition support methodology in selected disease states.

DN 841 International Nutrition (1-3 credits, available online). A study of global public health and nutrition concerns in various nations, assessment of nutritional status of diverse populations, international health and nutrition organizations, policies, and interventions.  We explore the roles of dietitians, nutritionists, and others in creating and implementing international public health and nutrition policies and interventions. To enroll in the course you must be a student in the Graduate Certificate Dietetic Internship Program, the Dietetics and Nutrition Master of Science Program, or the Great Plains IDEA, or have the consent of the instructor. Cross-listed with DIET 841.

DN 842 United States Public Health Nutrition (1-3 credits, available online). A study of U.S. public health and nutrition concerns in diverse U.S. populations, assessment of nutritional status in communities, health communication, nutrition policies and community-based nutrition interventions.  Exploration of the roles of dietitians, nutritionists, and others in developing and delivering nutrition policies and interventions in U.S. communities. Prerequisite: Must be a student in the Graduate Certificate Dietetic Internship Program, the Dietetics and Nutrition Master of Science Program, or the Great Plains IDEA, or have the consent of the instructor.

DN 854 Special Problems in Dietetics and Nutrition (1-4 credits). Directed study of special problems in nutrition or nutrition care. This course provides for the individual or group study of special problems. Through directed readings, investigations, and projects the student acquires information with reference to questions in dietetics and nutrition not covered in organized courses. (Non-Thesis Research Requirement)

DN 862 Maternal and Child Nutrition (3 credits, available online). This course is a critical examination of behavioral, physiological, and public health issues impacting dietary and nutritional factors that support normal growth and development. The course content focuses on the early stages of the life cycle: gestation, lactation, infancy, preschool, school-age and adolescence. Topics include the fetal programming hypothesis, growth and nutritional requirements, breast and formula feeding of infants, infant weaning, and eating behaviors that lead to normal growth, growth faltering, and pediatric obesity. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

DN 865 Nutrition in Sports and Exercise (3 credits, available online). Exercise physiology and nutrient requirements in sports and exercise: macronutrient, micronutrient and fluid needs of athletes engaged in specific sports, pre/post-exercise meals, gender-specific requirements, role of ergogenic aids, eating disorders, and role of exercise in weight management and chronic disease. Prerequisites: Biochemistry and /or exercise physiology class or permission of instructor.

DN 870 Health Behavior Counseling (3 credits). Theoretical and applied issues in health behavior counseling. Students will learn the theories of behavior change and how to apply these to health care issues. Specific health behaviors (i.e., dietary changes, smoking cessation, exercise adherence) will be discussed in the context of chronic disease for children, adults and the elderly. Effective methods of counseling patients and promoting changes on an individual and small group basis will be presented.

DN 874 Nutrition Therapy for Eating Disorders (3 credits, available online). An online study of eating disorders management and nutrition care. Topics will include eating disorders medical complications, clinical care guidelines, basic pharmacology, clinical nutrition education, nutrition care planning, psychology of eating disorders, team collaboration, and therapeutic modalities for nutrition counseling. Prerequisites: a course in medical nutrition therapy or consent of instructor.

DN 875 Pediatric Clinical Nutrition (3 credits, available online). This course examines the physiological, biochemical and nutritional aspects of disease processes relevant to infants and children up to 18 years of age. Medical nutrition therapy for a variety of medical conditions found in this population will be discussed including inborn errors of metabolism, food hypersensitivity, obesity, and diseases of the major organ systems. Prerequisite Applied Clinical Nutrition or equivalent or consent of instructor.

DN 876 Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Obesity (3 credits, available online). This course emphasizes obesity in a population group ranging from childhood to adult. Course materials will examine the impact of obese conditions on disease development throughout the life cycle. The course will critically analyze current evidence focused on interventions used in the behavioral and clinical management of overweight and obese individuals in community and clinical settings. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

DN 880 Dietary and Herbal Supplements (2-3 credits, available online). Designed to develop the health professional's skills in partnering with patients to make dietary supplement decisions. Students will investigate the use of botanicals and dietary supplements in nutritional support of aging, maternal health and wellness. Discussion on supplementation in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease will include: arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, digestive, liver and renal disorders, memory deficits, and ophthalmic dysfunctions. Prerequisite is an undergraduate degree completion of a course in human physiology is advisable. Lectures, journal readings, web-enhanced coursework and self-study of recommended resources on dietary and herbal supplements are educational methods used in this course. To be eligible for 2 hours credit the student will complete an investigation of a dietary or herbal supplement and present their findings to classmates online or in person.

DN 881 Introduction to Dietetics and Integrative Medicine (3 credits, available online). Introduction to principles guiding the practice of integrative and functional medical nutrition therapy; clinical application of the nutrition care process (assessing, diagnosing, intervening, monitoring, and evaluating) toward restoring function for an individual client; focusing on the unique nutritional imbalances characteristic of chronic disease pathophysiology; supporting individuals with persistent symptoms; preventing chronic disease. Prerequisites: Introductory genetics, medical nutrition therapy, or consent of instructor. Course offered each year, usually fall.

DN 882 A Nutrition Approach to Inflammation and Immune Regulation (3 credits, available online). Inflammation and immune dysregulation is common in chronic disease. The course presents the integrative medicine approach to identify the underlying causes of inflammatory and immune-related conditions and associated nutritional influences; applies individualized nutritional interventions, as powerful modulators of the pathophysiology of inflammatory and immune responses. Prerequisites: Medical nutrition therapy, genetics or consent of instructor. Course offered once a year, usually spring.

DN 884 Diet, Physical Activity & Cancer (3 credits). Multi-disciplinary approach, introductory cancer biology, Cancer epidemiology and risk factors. Dietary and environmental causation and prevention. Cancer in various organ systems. Nutrition therapy in Oncology. Nutrition implications in cancer treatments. Lifestyle factors and cancer survivorship. Exercise programming adaptations. Analysis of primary literature. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

DN 890 Graduate Research (1-4 credits). Individual investigation of special problems in dietetics and nutrition or hospital dietary administration approved by the student's adviser or advisory committee. Investigation involves original research.

DN 895 Advanced Macronutrients and Integrated Metabolism (3 credits). Energy-containing macronutrients and fiber presented from the perspective of their importance in human nutrition. Structural properties, digestion, absorption and metabolism are emphasized. Fuel utilization in response to food intake and exercise, cellular and whole-animal energetic and energy balance integrate metabolism. Students take an active role in presenting and discussing and exhibit advanced skills in analysis and presentation. Prerequisite: Biochemistry

DN 896 Advanced Micronutrients and Integrated Metabolism (3 credits). Vitamins and minerals presented from the perspective of their requirements as nutrients for normal human physiological functions with emphasis on their underlying roles in structure, function and metabolism, Students take an active role in selecting, presenting and discussing recent published research and to exhibit advanced skills in analysis and presentation. Prerequisites: Biochemistry.

DN 899 Thesis (1-6 credits). Scholarly essay based on research, written under the guidance of the student's adviser. Credit given upon meeting thesis requirements for the master's degree. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

DN 980  Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics in Health and Disease (3 credits). Nuclear receptors and their mechanisms of action, nutritional control of gene expression and functional genomic studies with relationships to nutrient intake and polymorphisms. Prerequisites: DN 836, 895, 896 or permission of instructor.  

Vaccines and Clinical Site Requirements

The University of Kansas Medical Center requires various immunizations for its students. For a detailed list please visit the student health forms webpage or speak with Student Health Services. These immunization requirements help promote health and safety and facilitate clinical placement.

Many, if not all, clinical sites who partner with the University of Kansas Medical Center require proof of these vaccines for students engaged in training or other programmatic experiences at clinical sites. Not being vaccinated may preclude students from participating in activities, potentially impeding their ability to complete all program requirements for degree completion. Applicants with questions should speak with a representative from the academic program to which they intend to apply.

School of Health Professions

Dietetics and Nutrition
KU Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Mailstop 4013
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-5355 • 711 TTY