Master of Family and Consumer Sciences

Master of Family and Conumser Sciences Area of Specilization: Dietetics (Non-Thesis)

The dietetics specialization is an inter-institutional distance education program offered through the Web, as part of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) . This unique program is designed for practicing professionals with a Registered Dietitian credential (or registration-eligible) who wish to pursue a non-thesis advanced degree program for professional growth and career advancement. The 36 credit program plus special project/creative component is non-thesis and seeks to develop research skills, stimulate independent thought, and provide up-to-date knowledge in foods, nutrition, and foodservice/ business management. This program prepares individuals to integrate and apply the principles from the biomedical sciences, human behavior, and management to design and lead effective food and nutrition programs in a variety of settings. Students may build a program of study from offerings of the partner institutions such as human nutrition, nutrient metabolism, biostatistics, health promotion/disease prevention, foodservice systems management, food science, lifespan nutrition, wellness, entrepreneurship, nutrition education, nutritional assessment and food safety.

Individuals choosing to receive their degree from Iowa State University need to complete all the admissions, registration and fee payment processes through Iowa State University. The first step is to apply for admission to Iowa State University's Graduate College ... indicating the Master of Family and Consumer Sciences (MFCS) program with dietetics specialization. Additionally, an application including a copy of GRE scores, resume, three letters of recommendation, and goal statement must be submitted to the MFCS Program, E116 Lagomarcino, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. This is a non-thesis option with a special project or creative component required. Students typically complete the program on a part-time basis while employed full-time. Admission is limited to those who are Registered Dietitians or registration-eligible. A computer with minimum specifications, web access, and an email address are required for completing the program. Individuals accepted into the program complete graduate-level web-based coursework through Iowa State University and partner institutions, including Colorado State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, Montana State University, North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University, University of Kansas Medical Center, and University of Nebraska.

Master's Degree Requirements

Core Courses, 15 credits
A basic statistics course, 3 credits
A research methods course, 3 credits
A current issues/trends course, 3 credits

Choice of:
Advanced nutrition: Nutrigenomics, Nutrigenetics & Advanced Lipid Metabolism in Human Nutrition, 3 credits
AND Micronutrients in Human Nutrition, 3 credits
OR
Accounting Concepts & Analysis, 3 credits
AND Entrepreneurship, 3 credits

Electives, 15 credits
Nutrition and Physical Activity in Aging, 3 credits
Maternal and Child Nutrition, 3 credits
Nutrition and Human Performance, 3 credits
Nutritional Counseling & Education Methods, 3 credits
Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy, 3 credits
Nutrition Education in the Community, 3 credits
Obesity Across the Lifespan, 3 credits
Pediatric Clinical Nutrition, 3 credits
Phytochemicals, 3 credits
Functional Foods, 3 credits
Nutrition in Wellness, 3 credits
International Nutrition and World Hunger, 3 credits
Healthcare Administration, 3 credits
Managerial Finance I, 3 credits
Operations Management and Analysis, 3 credits
Marketing Concepts and Research, 3 credits
Behavioral Management Theory, 3 credits
Grant Writing for the Professional, 3 credits
Food Production Management, 3 credits
Foundations of Leadership, 3 credits
Leadership Practicum, 3 credits
Nutrition: A Focus on Life Stages, 3 credits
Metabolic Roles of Nutrients (Micronutrients)

Special Project/Creative Component, 6 credits
An additional 6 credit hours and completion of a special project or creative component.

The student's schedule of courses must be approved by his/her faculty advisor and graduate committee.

For more information, please contact Jean Anderson at janderso@iastate.edu or Dr. Suzanne Hendrich at shendric@iastate.edu.

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