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2020 - 2021 Academic Catalog

Master of Science in Nutrition for Human Performance

The Master of Science in Nutrition for Human Performance is an online graduate degree designed for current allied health, sports, and fitness professionals interested in advancing their careers; recent bachelor's degree graduates interested in the health or sport sciences, specifically nutrition, who wish to gain a M.S. before entering the workforce.  Through an evidence-based approach, this program will offer current  allied health, sports, and  fitness professional  an opportunity to gain knowledge in the nutritional sciences, emphasizing the relationship between diet and behaviors to optimize physical activity and human performance of individuals.


Graduate and Professional Studies, in collaboration with the School of Health Sciences, has established the following Goals and Outcomes for the Master's in Nutrition for Human Performance.  The program is structured to support students to achieve these goals and outcomes by the time they complete the program.  

Goal 1: Master the Field of Nutrition Science
Upon completion of the major program of study in Nutrition for Human Performance, students will be able to

1.      Identify, analyze and interpret disciplinary concepts
2.      Recognize Ethical Issues pertaining to the Healthcare industry
3.      Analyze, Use, Create and Produce Graduate Level Research
4.      Demonstrate competency in core nutritional science content areas, including: exercise metabolism, nutrition based chemistry, nutritional assessment, nutrition for sport performance and active lifestyles, nutritional needs across the lifespan, dietary supplements, and the  principles of physical, biological and social sciences to the nutritional needs of both individuals and groups.  

Goal 2: Develop Clinical Reasoning Skills
Upon completion of the major program of study in Nutrition for Human Performance, students will be able to

1. Incorporate evidence based practice into clinical decision making to improve athlete/client outcomes
2. Create, implement, critically appraise and modify specific programs to address special client/athlete population and individual needs for performance and health.

Goal 3: Develop, Implement and Consume Evidence-based Research
Upon completion of the major program of study in Nutrition for Human Performance, students will be able to

1. Synthesize accurate explanations of information presented in statistical forms. Make appropriate inferences based on that information
2. Consume and interpret quantitative /qualitative analysis of data as the basis for deep and thoughtful judgments, drawing insightful, carefully qualified conclusions from this work
3. Explicitly describe assumptions and provides compelling rationale for why assumptions are appropriate. Shows awareness that confidence in final conclusions is limited by the accuracy of the assumptions. Apply quantitative and qualitative information in connection with the argument or purpose of the work, present it in an effective format, and explicate it with consistently high quality.

Goal 4: Develop and Practice Effective Communication Skills
Upon completion of the major program of study in Nutrition for Human Performance, students will be able to

1. Develop effective communication strategies utilizing appropriate communication mediums
2. Identify potential causes to communication breakdowns and design and implement solutions
3. Demonstrate ability to receive and provide constructive feedback to peers and coworkers.

Goal 5: Develop Effective Leadership Qualities
Upon completion of the major program of study in Nutrition for Human Performance, students will be able to

1. Identify qualities of effective leadership
2. Assesses own leadership style for effectiveness and develops plan to address weaknesses
3. Develop and motivate people and teams to identify emerging trends and develop appropriate strategic responses
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of financial, human and technical resources needed to manage and implement change.
5. Demonstrate a commitment to one's own professional development through continuing learning provided by scientific societies such as the American Nutrition Society, the international Society of Sports Nutrition, and others.

Course Code Course Title Credits
Core Courses
NHP702 Nutrition Assessment 3
NHP703 Chemistry of Nutrition 3
NHP711 Advanced Nutrition & Metabolism 3
NHP712 Nutri Counseling Strat & Behavior Change 3
NHP713 Current Topics in Nutrition for Health 3
NHP715 Dietary Supplements 3
RSCI708 Applied Nutrition Across the Lifespan 3
RSCI716 Ethical Issues in Healthcare Professions 3
RSCI780 Quantitative & Qualitative Research 3
RSCI781 Capstone 3

Two Electives: 6 credits

Students may take any courses offered at the graduate level to fulfill their elective credits. View course options here.

 

NHP702 - Nutrition Assessment

This course will educate the student on nutritional assessment to include health, diet and lifestyle history, anthropometric measurements, computerized dietary intake analysis, and biochemical measures The course will integrate use of these measurements in the design of an appropriate nutritional protocol for the client. The student will also learn effective client management and follow-up.

NHP703 - Chemistry of Nutrition

Chemistry of Nutrition

NHP710 - Dietary Supplements & Human Health

This course explores the use, evidence, and adverse effects of the most commonly used dietary and performance supplements This course will help students gain the knowledge necessary to critically appraise supplements using peer-reviewed research and national guidelines and recommendations in order to evaluate the validity and efficacy of supplements. Students will also learn how to manage an encounter with a client taking supplements.

NHP711 - Advanced Nutrition & Metabolism

Nutritional biochemistry and physiology as it relates to establishment of nutrient requirements and Dietary Reference intakes. Digestion, absorption, metabolism, storage, and excretion of nutrients and other markers of nutritional adequacy or excess will be addressed with emphasis on micronutrients. Course content will include functions of nutrients, in bone, muscle, blood, growth and development, and communication. Pre-requisite - NHP703

NHP712 - Nutri Counseling Strat & Behavior Change

Examines the principles of design and presentation of nutrition education for individuals and groups including developing goals and objectives, communication style selection, selection of components including activities, visual aids, and specifications of evaluation processes. Students will also explore principles of communication, written and oral, in presenting nutrition education including learning styles, cultural competence, literacy levels, including, working with the media.

NHP713 - Current Topics in Nutrition for Health

This course will explore current nutrition topics that take center stage in mainstream media outlets and become conversation topics among consumers interested in food choice as it relates to optimal health and physical performance. Critical evaluation of the popular media claims will be the focus in developing evidence-based recommendations for clients.

NHP714 - Health Ed & Promotion through Soc Media

In this course, we will examine the diverse uses of social media in the current health and nutrition field and develop a framework for students to apply with future social media usage in professional endeavors. Attention will be paid to the critical analysis of the appropriateness, potential target populations, communication and health behavior strategies, the risks and benefits, and the overall intended outcomes and reach of social media communication. In small groups, students will ultimately design, implement, and develop evaluation tools for a social media campaign/initiative of their choosing.

NHP715 - Dietary Supplements

This course explores the use, evidence, and adverse effects of the most commonly used dietary and performance supplements This course will help students gain the knowledge necessary to critically appraise supplements using peer-reviewed research and national guidelines and recommendations in order to evaluate the validity and efficacy of supplements. Students will also learn how to manage an encounter with a client taking supplements.

Cristina Haverty

Associate Vice President of Workforce Development and Global Engagement

Office: Alexander STC

Lori Rosenthal

Assistant Provost; Professor of Psychology

Office: Plummer

Janice Barrett

Professor Emerita

Keith Belmore

Associate Professor of Athletic Training and Graduate Chair of Athletic Training

Office: Alexander STC 104N

Linda Bucci

Professor & Program Chair of Justice Studies, Graduate Chair of Criminal Justice

Office: Plummer

Sarah Giasullo

Assistant Professor of Athletic Training; Graduate Chair of Health Sciences

Office: Alexander STC 104T

Elizabeth Hartmann

Professor of Education

Office: Brennan Library

Janet Huetteman

Graduate Chair of Management and Marketing; Associate Professor of Marketing

Office: 23 Maple Street, Office #5

Young-Tae Kim

Associate Professor of Sport Management; Graduate Interim Chair of Sport Management

Office: Alexandar STC

Ron Laham

Assistant Professor of Athletic Training/ Exercise Science

Office: Alexander STC

Amy Maynard

Professor of Education

Office: Brennan Library

Meryl Perlson

Chair of Communication; Professor of Communication

Office: Donahue 107

Matthew Reilly

Chair of Business and Interim Chair of Sport Management; Assistant Professor of Business

Office: DeArment

Claudia Rinaldi

The Joan Weiler Arnow ’49 Professor/Professor of Education, Chair of Education

Office: Brennan Library

Daniel Sargeant

Associate Professor of Sport Management

Office: Alexander STC

Nancy Waldron

Assistant Provost; Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management

Office: DeArment

Brian Wardyga

Professor of Communication; General Manager, 109.2FM WLAS & LCTV

Office: Brennan Library, G04F

Edward Weeks

Associate Professor of Justice Studies

Office: Winslow

Catherine Zeek

Professor Emerita

NHP702 - Nutrition Assessment

This course will educate the student on nutritional assessment to include health, diet and lifestyle history, anthropometric measurements, computerized dietary intake analysis, and biochemical measures The course will integrate use of these measurements in the design of an appropriate nutritional protocol for the client. The student will also learn effective client management and follow-up.

NHP703 - Chemistry of Nutrition

Chemistry of Nutrition

NHP711 - Advanced Nutrition & Metabolism

Nutritional biochemistry and physiology as it relates to establishment of nutrient requirements and Dietary Reference intakes. Digestion, absorption, metabolism, storage, and excretion of nutrients and other markers of nutritional adequacy or excess will be addressed with emphasis on micronutrients. Course content will include functions of nutrients, in bone, muscle, blood, growth and development, and communication. Pre-requisite - NHP703

NHP712 - Nutri Counseling Strat & Behavior Change

Examines the principles of design and presentation of nutrition education for individuals and groups including developing goals and objectives, communication style selection, selection of components including activities, visual aids, and specifications of evaluation processes. Students will also explore principles of communication, written and oral, in presenting nutrition education including learning styles, cultural competence, literacy levels, including, working with the media.

NHP713 - Current Topics in Nutrition for Health

This course will explore current nutrition topics that take center stage in mainstream media outlets and become conversation topics among consumers interested in food choice as it relates to optimal health and physical performance. Critical evaluation of the popular media claims will be the focus in developing evidence-based recommendations for clients.

NHP715 - Dietary Supplements

This course explores the use, evidence, and adverse effects of the most commonly used dietary and performance supplements This course will help students gain the knowledge necessary to critically appraise supplements using peer-reviewed research and national guidelines and recommendations in order to evaluate the validity and efficacy of supplements. Students will also learn how to manage an encounter with a client taking supplements.

RSCI708 - Applied Nutrition Across the Lifespan

This course provides an in-depth exploration of contemporary issues nutrition for active individuals across the life span. Course topics will include: nutrition timing, caloric expenditure, performance enhancement dietary supplements, dietary lipids and heart disease, dietary fiber and health, and influence of life +style factors on nutrition. Controversies in nutrition, ergogenic aids and cultural aspects of food are also discussed. In addition, the course covers energy and nutrient needs for physical and athletic activities. Common myths and fallacies concerning diet and athletic performance as well as appropriate dietary approaches for specific activities and active people will be addressed.

RSCI716 - Ethical Issues in Healthcare Professions

This course is a study of the application of ethical principles, which includes the legal factors and professional behavior, which impact patient management and the rights of the consumer in the provision of medical and rehabilitation services. Ethical issues explored include: human value development, decision making, basic principles of health care, the nature of rights, confidentiality and management of health care information, professional gate keeping as a function of role fidelity, autonomy and paternalism, and justice and the allocation of scarce resources.

RSCI780 - Quantitative & Qualitative Research

This course provides an overview of foundations of research design and the uses and interpretation of results. Content includes: reviewing the literature, developing research problems/questions; hypothesis testing, experimental, quasi-experimental and other research designs; and evaluating research studies as they relate to evidence-based practice in the health professions. The intended outcome is to familiarize students with the evidence-based guidelines associated to clinical outcomes and evidence-based practice.

RSCI781 - Capstone

Through the completion of a research project, on a topic within the field, this course serves as an essential outcome component to augment the professional development and new learning that occurs in didactic course work and demonstrates the ability of the graduate to make significant contributions to their professions. Pre-requisite: must be taken in final semester of program. Prerequisite: RSCI780