Community Nutrition & Health Promotion Specialization (M.S.)

Community Nutrition & Health Promotion Specialization

Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition and Health Sciences

Two people with one holding a green apple.

The master's degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences-Community Nutrition and Health Promotion specialization will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to: 

  • Develop research-based public policies and programs that enhance food security, nutrition, and health in communities
  • Adapt programs to meet food and nutrient needs across the life cycle
  • Apply health behavior theory
  • Conduct needs assessment
  • Develop, implement, and evaluation community-based programs
     
M.S., Community Nutrition and Health Promotion

Requires the following courses (15 credit hours):

  • NUTR 805 Research Methods (3)
  • NUTR 859 Nutrition: A Focus on Life Stages (3)
  • NUTR 860 Health Behavior Theories and Approaches (3)
  • NUTR 956 Community Nutrition (3)
  • NUTR 976 Organization and Management in Community Nutrition and Health Promotion (3)

Careers

  • Breastfeeding Coordinator/Lactation Consultant

  • Certified Health Educator

  • Community Health Director

  • Extension Educator

  • Health and Wellness/Lifestyle Coach

  • Health Promotion Program Educator/Specialist

  • Nutrition Consultant

  • Nutrition Program Coordinator

  • Public Health Nutritionist

  • Worksite Wellness Program Director

For additional career information, click here.

Experiential Learning (3)

  • NUTR 857 Classroom and Outreach Experiences in Food and Nutrition (3) and/or NUTR 998 Special Topics in Human Sciences (1-3) -for a total minimum of 3 credits for non-thesis students
  • NUTR 875 or NUTR 975 for students in the Professional Studies in Dietetics specialization (3)
  • NUTR 899 Master's Thesis for research thesis students (3)

Other courses and programs of interest include:

Descriptions of courses within the department can be found online at:  https://catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/nutr/.

Total credits required:

  • M.S. Option A: 30 total credit hours, requires research thesis
  • M.S. Option B: 30 total credit hours, non-thesis

Preferred Courses Prior to Admission:

To be successful in the program, the following courses are preferred - consult with your advisor.

  • Two semesters of general chemistry (CHEM 109A General Chemistry I and CHEM 110A General Chemistry II)
  • One semester of organic chemistry with lab (CHEM 251/CHEM 253 Organic Chemistry)
  • One semester of biochemistry with lab (BIOC 401/BIOC 401L Elements of Biochemistry or BIOC 431 Biochemistry I: Structure and Metabolism)
  • Human Physiology with lab (BIOS 213/BIOS 213L Human Physiology)

Undergraduate Catalog

GRE is not required.

 

Application to this program

When completing the Office of Graduate Studies online application, select:
Major/Degree: Nutrition and Health Sciences
Specialization: Community Nutrition and Health Promotion
 

START THE APPLICATION PROCESS AT GRADUATE STUDIES

Associated Faculty

  1. Avatar for Weiwen Chai

    Associate Professor

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 104D
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    wchai2@unl.edu
  2. Avatar for Lisa Franzen-Castle

    Interim Associate Dean-College of Education and Human Sciences, Professor, and Extension Nutrition Specialist

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 119A
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    lfranzen2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  3. Avatar for Sarah Hortman

    Assistant Professor of Practice

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 104B
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    sarah.hortman@unl.edu
  4. Avatar for Georgia Jones

    Associate Professor, Extension Food Specialist

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 119D
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work 402-413-5528
    Email
    gjones2@unl.edu
  5. Avatar for  Megan S. Kelley

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 119B
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    megan.kelley@unl.edu
  6. Avatar for Heather Rasmussen

    Interim Department Chair, Associate Professor, Professional Studies in Dietetics Program Director

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 110
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work 402-413-6286
    Email
    heather.rasmussen@unl.edu
  7. Avatar for Linda Young

    Professor of Practice

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 104F
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    lyoung3@unl.edu
  8. Avatar for Sabine Zempleni

    Associate Professor of Practice

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 119E
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    szempleni2@unl.edu