Introduction
The Department of Nutrition offers a Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science. Graduate level coursework in the certificate focuses on providing continuing education opportunities in nutrition for healthcare professionals. Course offerings include the opportunity to conduct and analyze research, enhance critical thinking and effective communication skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities.
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science is to prepare diverse students to become nutrition leaders who practice effectively and contribute solutions for human health and healthcare challenges. The program’s goals are to:
- utilize experiential opportunities to prepare students to use evidence-based nutrition practice in their chosen profession
- prepare students to secure advanced nutrition-related employment in healthcare, government, industry, education or not-for-profit programs
Application Deadlines
Please check the Nutrition Department website (https://msudenver.edu/nutrition) for current application deadlines.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science, the following items must be submitted:
- Graduate admissions application
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts - Students must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended (transcripts from MSU Denver are not required). Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the previous colleges/universities in a signed, sealed envelope. Institutions may also send official electronic transcripts to gradtranscripts@msudenver.edu.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Full program acceptance requires prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or higher in:
- introductory statistics
- chemistry with lab
- organic and biological chemistry (minimum of 1 semester combined)
- anatomy and physiology (equivalent of 6 credit hours)
- upper division human nutrition course with macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism as the focus of the course (minimum of 3 credit hours)
Admittance to the program with requirements may be granted if a student is lacking up to six (6) credits of prerequisite coursework. Students lacking prerequisite coursework must successfully complete the required course(s) with a grade of C- or higher within one year of acceptance to the program.
Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applicants will be notified via email of their application status. Applicants may be accepted, accepted with conditions, waitlisted, or denied admission.
International Applicants
Additional documentation is required for international graduate applicants. In addition to the application requirements listed above, international applicants must:
- obtain a minimum score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the paper-based TOEFL (PBT), or 6.5 on the IELTS
- submit the required immigration documents for issuance of an I-20
Foreign transcripts must have an official English translation done by a certified translator, if applicable, and a professional, course-by-course evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. World Education Services (https://www.wes.org/) or Educational Perspectives (https://www.edperspective.org) are recommended professional transcript evaluation service providers.
Please also visit the International Student Admissions webpage at https://msudenver.edu/admissions/student-types/internationalstudents/.
Transfer Students
For the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science, students may transfer in up to three (3) credits of graduate level coursework from a regionally accredited university. Each transfer course must have a minimum grade of “C” and have been completed within 5 years of admission to the program.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Students admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science are non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students do not qualify for financial aid and must re-apply and pay a new application fee in order to become degree seeking. Completing coursework as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission into a degree program. Students accepted into the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science may take up to 12 credits of graduate level coursework in the program. These credits may also be applied to the Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics degree.
Prior Learning Assessment
In general, no credit is given for prior learning experience derived from employment or other life experience.
Readmission
Students not enrolled for three (3) consecutive semesters, including summer, must reapply to the University. Students requesting readmission must be in good academic standing and must submit their application for readmission to the master’s program in which they have been enrolled.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is not available for non-degree seeking students in the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science.
Academic Standing Policies
All students accepted into the program must adhere with the following academic policies:
- Students must complete the required coursework while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
- No grade lower than a “C” counts toward degree completion. Students receiving a “C-” or below will be required to repeat the course. Students who do not successfully complete a course with a “C” or better after the second attempt will be dismissed from the program.
- Students may enroll in no more than 15 credits per semester for fall and spring semesters without departmental approval. The maximum load for a two-week Winterim or Maymester term is 3 semester hours, excluding short-term study abroad courses.
- No course may count toward both a graduate certificate and a bachelor’s degree.
- Students must complete the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition Science within five (5) calendar years from their initial enrollment term.
- A review of a candidate’s plan of study and progress must be conducted as soon as all the minimum requirements have been met and no later than the first day of the term in which the student expects to complete the certificate. Minimum requirements for the review include completion of any admission requirements, an approved plan of study that will lead to meeting the certificate requirements, posting of any transfer work to the student’s record, and a GPA of 3.0 or better in all work completed to that point. Successful completion of the review and approval by the appropriate student services office and the Office of Graduate Studies constitutes Advancement to Candidacy.
