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MUIH’s Nutrition program is now accepting applications. |
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Healthcare is changing, and accompanying that change is a renewed interest in the power of food to maintain health and wellness. As this interest increases, there is a need for individuals who understand the vital and interrelated physiological, environmental, socio-cultural, and spiritual roles of food in our lives. The Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health is a clinical nutrition program that bridges traditional nutrition care processes with holistic and integrative perspectives in health.
Three aspects that differentiate the program are the foundational science courses, the whole foods cooking labs, and the experiential courses. First, the foundational science courses consist of two physiology courses – organic chemistry and nutritional biochemistry – and are embedded in the curriculum. They are taught from an integrative perspective so there are no science prerequisites for entry into the program.
A second differentiator are the whole foods cooking labs. The labs give students the skills to educate others about healthy foods, food preparation, and whole foods cooking. The first two labs are required and students can choose an additional two labs among five different labs: exploring raw foods; cooking for those with food allergies or sensitivities; cooking for those with specific nutrition problems; exploring traditional cooking techniques; and designing and developing a whole foods cooking demonstration.
The third distinguishing characteristic of the degree are the experiential courses in the final trimesters. Depending on area of concentration, students can: gain hands-on practice in nutritional assessment and counseling through the clinic course; experience the planning, development, and delivery of nutrition education programs in the practicum course; or research a nutrition problem with the capstone course. These courses prepare students to leave the program as entry-level clinicians and educators.
There is a single master’s degree with three areas of concentration to align with student preferences. Community Nutrition Education is for individuals who want to offer nutrition education programs for specific populations or communities. Human Clinical Nutrition and Herbal Medicine are clinical concentrations for those who want to work with individual clients and formulate comprehensive clinical intervention plans that incorporate whole foods, supplements, lifestyle changes, and other integrative health approaches. Students in the Herbal Medicine concentration can augment their recommendations with knowledge gained in the herbal courses.
Students in all three concentrations take the same 29 credits of core courses and then take additional credits in their concentration. Community Nutrition Education students take an additional 21 credits of courses in Public Health Nutrition, Food Systems, and Policy, and 11 credits of courses in Integrative Health Education. By adding two additional courses, student are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam. In Human Clinical Nutrition, students take an additional 21 credits in the areas of Applied Clinical Nutrition, Clinical Skills, and Clinical Practice. Herbal Medicine students take the same clinical courses and additional courses from the Herbal department for a total of 29 credits. Graduates of the Herbal and the Human Clinical Nutrition concentrations are eligible to sit for the Certified Nutrition Specialist exam, a component of board certification.
In January 2019, students with a bachelor’s degree in a science related major who have completed courses in Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, and Life or Physical Science can accelerate their pathway to a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree by applying for admission to the Bachelor’s Pathway for the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN). Students accepted to the program take Master’s level courses for five trimesters, join the September 2020 DCN cohort, and receive a doctoral degree in three additional years.
If you have the passion for food as medicine and the thirst for knowledge in integrative nutrition, explore MUIH’s Nutrition degree programs. A member of our Admissions staff is available Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm to answer any questions you have. The Office of Graduate Admissions also offers small group and individual information sessions by appointment. Speak to an Admissions Counselor today by calling 410-888-9048 ext. 6647 or emailing .
On behalf of current students and faculty, we welcome you!