Human Nutrition

Human Nutrition Graduate Program

The masters of science in human nutrition is a 30 semester-hour program designed to prepare registered dietitians to practice dietetics at an advanced level and/or to pursue doctoral study. The program develops research skills, stimulates independent thought, and provides up-to-date knowledge in food and nutrition. The masters degree is available through distance education. The degree requirements and course content are the same regardless of where it is completed—on-campus or through distance education.

Course Requirements

Thirty semester hours are required to complete the degree. Students may choose a thesis or non-thesis option.

Required Courses (15 hours):

  • NHM 555 – Maternal and Infant Nutrition (3 hours) or NHM 567: Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill
  • NHM 561 – Advanced Vitamins and Minerals Metabolism (3 hours)
  • NHM 562 – Metabolism of Energy Nutrients (3 hours)
  • HES 509 – Research Methods in Human Environmental Sciences (3 hours)
  • CHS 525 – Biostatistics (3 hours) (or another approved statistics course)
  • You must complete a capstone experience. Please see our advising document for information on the capstone experience.

You will need 18 hours of graduate study in NHM designated courses in order to complete this degree.

Electives: (15 hours)

Electives must be approved by the student′s academic advisor. Examples of 3-hour courses the student may choose include:

  • NHM 530- Advanced Nutrition Counseling
  • NHM 540- Advanced Nutrition Education
  • NHM 557 – Childhood Obesity
  • NHM 566 – Advanced Clinical Nutrition
  • NHM 567 – Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill
  • NHM 625 – Nutritional Epidemiology
  • HHE 520 – Health Behavior
  • HHE 530 – Health Promotion Techniques
  • HHE 589 – Women and Health
  • CHS 520 – Basic Epidemiology
  • CSM 537 – Developing the Leader Within
  • CSM 547 – Digital Resources
  • CSM 564 – Digital Tools
  • CSM 575 – Entrepreneurship in HES
  • NUR 516 – Advanced Diabetes Management

Admission Requirements

Application materials are available on-line at www.graduate.ua.edu.

Students with a an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher may apply for admission. Students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or below may enhance their application by taking the GRE.

While being a registered dietitian is not a requirement for entering the masters program, students should be aware of the laws governing the practice of dietetics in their respective states. Most states require persons who practice dietetics to be a registered dietitian. This masters degree does not provide eligibility to sit for the registration examination to become a registered dietitian, nor does it provide eligibility to apply to dietetic internships. The on-campus masters degree provides an opportunity to participate in the coordinated program in dietetics and to become eligible to sit for the registration examination. Additional courses, most of which are available by distance, may be taken to meet the criteria for applying to a dietetic internship.

Prerequisite Courses

The following courses should be taken before you apply to this program:

CH 104 Introductory Chemistry (4 hours)
CH 105 Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 hours)
BSC 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 hours)
BSC 216 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 hours)
NHM 101 Introduction to Nutrition (3 hours)
NHM 201 Nutrition through the Lifecycle (3 hours)
NHM 361 Nutritional Biochemistry (3 hours)
NHM 362 Nutrition at the Cellular Level (3 hours)

Deadlines for Application

Fall term- June 1st
Spring term- November 1st
Summer term- April 1st

Distance Course Delivery

Courses are made available in various ways to students in the masters program. Most of the courses are available either online or on DVD. For more information on the distance education masters, see the Bama By Distance web site.

For More Information

For application information, see “Frequently Asked Questions” or contact us at or (205) 348-6157.