Contents
Catalog Links

Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences (MSNS)

Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences program is to educate and form entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists or dietetic practitioners to meet the core competencies for becoming servant leaders in health and wellness. With a concentration in community nutrition, graduates will be educated in the most rigorous, individualized, professional and comprehensive manner.

The MSNS program is designed with two options:

Option 1: Dietetic Internship (DI): for students seeking to become registered dietitians nutritionists (RDN).

Option 2: Thesis: for students who are already RDNs or who are not seeking RDN status.

Program Goals

Dietetic Internship

  1. The program will prepare graduates to be competent for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists.
  2. Graduates of the program will be compassionate, well-qualified professionals and servant leaders in health and wellness prepared to provide entry-level nutrition and dietetics services.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  1. Apply foundational sciences to food and nutrition knowledge to meet the needs of individuals, groups and organizations.
  2. Integrate evidence-based guidelines, critical thinking and effective communication in the comprehensive plan of care for various disease conditions, populations and cultures.
  3. Analyze food systems principles and management skills to ensure safe and efficient delivery of food and nutrition resources and services.
  4. Demonstrate leadership and service in guiding practices to support initiatives for the community.
  5. Exhibit professional responsibilities to provide safe, ethical and effective counseling by sharing gifts and talents through health and wellness education.

Program Length

The MSNS program has two options: Dietetic Internship and Thesis. The MSNS program with the dietetic internship track is 36 credit hours in length. The MSNS program thesis track is 30 credit hours in length.

The dietetic internship program participates in a computer matching process. Steps to apply to the program are as follows:

  1. Complete Digital Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) application by February 15th. For how to apply to DICAS, refer to DICAS | Applicant Login Page Section (liaisoncas.com).

    The following information must be included in DICAS:

    • Declaration of intent or verification statement from an ACEND accredited undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE).
    • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
    • BS degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent, with an undergraduate minimum GPA of a 3.0, didactic courses of a 3.2
    • Three letters of recommendation, one from a professor, from an employer and from any other professional Resume to include work or volunteer experiences
    • Personal letter addressing the following:
      • Why did you choose dietetics? What sets you apart from other applicants?
      • What are your short and long term goals and strategies for achieving them?
      • What strengths will you bring to the program and what areas will challenge you?
      • How have your past experiences made you prepared for an internship?
      • Who has impacted your life the most? How or in what way?
      • What characteristics of the University have drawn you to this internship?
  2. Register with D&D Digital Computer on-line Dietetic Internship matching services for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. On how to register with D&D Digital, refer to www.dnddigital.com.
  3. Complete a supplemental application through the FranU Office of Admissions. Once the DICAS application is received, an email is sent to complete the application process.

    The following supplemental admissions requirements include:

    • $40 non-refundable application fee
    • Video link addressing six interview questions (optional)
    • Designation of preferred geographical location for clinical placement
    • Other demographic information not included in DICAS

If a student matches with DICAS to the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University DI program, the student automatically gains entrance into the MSNS program.

Year 1 - Fall

NUTR 5310Community Nutrition Policy

3
IPGC 6320Research Methods in the Health Sciences

3
NUTR 5205Advanced Methods of Nutrition Assesssment

2
NUTR 5205LAdvanced Methods of Nutrition Assessment Laboratory

2
Total Credit Hours:10

Year 1 - Spring

NUTR 5320Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy

3
IPGC 6315Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology

3
NUTR 5325Advanced Food System and Food Security

3
NUTR 5710Dietetic Internship I

4
Total Credit Hours:13

Year 1 - Summer

IPGC 6125Bioethics

1
NUTR 5315BioNutrition

3
NUTR 5715Dietetic Internship II

4
Total Credit Hours:6

Year 2 - Fall

NUTR 6310Nutrition Education and Counseling Techniques

3
NUTR 6710Dietetic Internship and Research

2
NUTR 6915Capstone Research Project

2
Total Credit Hours:7

Total credit hours for a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences = 36

Didactic courses = 1 credit hour = 15 hours

Supervised practice courses = 1 credit hour = 120 hours

  1. Completion of all requirements stated in the degree plan, with no more than 2 C's and a minimum GPA of 3.0
  2. Recommendation for the degree by the program director
  3. Meet all of the requirements of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University MSNS program
  4. Completion and fulfillment of other requirements as noted in this catalog
  5. Clearance of all indebtedness to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, including the return of all materials borrowed from the University Library

Licensure

Requirements for professional licensure and certification can vary by state and can change without notice. All students should consult the state licensing body in the state in which they reside or seek to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state.

https://franu.edu/offices-services/distance-education/licensure-disclosures

Accreditation

The Nutritional Sciences Dietetic Internship Program is granted full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.