Food and Nutrition

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Our master’s program offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of food and nutrition. You will take required core courses in food and nutrition and then take approved courses in a minor. Recommended minors include consumer food, food education, community nutrition and health promotion, long term care, and sports and fitness. However, you can also design a unique program to fulfill the minor requirements. In this case, you would chose from existing graduate courses available at Ohio University and design a program that best compliments your career goals. The versatility of the program makes it suitable to meet the graduate needs of numerous individuals including those with limited food or nutrition undergraduate training, those already with a registered dietetics credential but who wish to obtain an advanced degree, educators who wish to obtain training in food and nutrition, or those who require additional course work in order to apply for a dietetics internship. Graduate students will be encouraged to do multidisciplinary research when appropriate.

Program Requirements

Requirements for food and nutrition with thesis option:

1. Minimum of 45 hours

2. Minimum of 28 hours in major/research area

Required Courses:

HCFN - Elective (3-4)

HCFN 532 - Research Design and Methods in Nutrition
HCFN 650 - Diet and Chronic Disease
HCGE 591B-E - Studies in Household Equipment or Management
HCGE 626 - Seminar in Human and Consumer Sciences
HCGE 692 - Research
HCGE 695 - Thesis
You are encouraged to select a topic for your thesis in an area of interest shared by you and your advisor.

Select Either:

3. Minimum of 16 hours in approved minor (see listing of pre-approved minors below)

Graduate Project Option

Requirements for food and nutrition with graduate project option:

1. Minimum of 50 hours

2. Minimum of 23 hours in major/research area

Required Courses:

HCFN - Elective (3-4)

Select Either:

3. Minimum of 26 hours in approved minor (see listing of pre-approved minors below)

Pre-approved Minors

Consumer Food

For food service or hospitality managers that wish to increase their knowledge in food and nutrition.

Required Courses:

Regardless of thesis or project option, select 2–13 credits of approved graduate electives in MKT, HCFN, HCGE

Foods Education

To advance the study of food and nutrition education to individuals with already established careers in dietetics, K-12 education, medical education, nursing/other allied health disciplines, health administration, public health, and food industry professionals.

Required Courses:

Regardless of thesis or project option, select 5–16 credits of approved graduate HCFN, HCGE, HCCF electives

Community Nutrition and Health

Will prepare graduates to practice in a community agency, worksite wellness program, or related setting.

Required Courses:

If graduate project option, select 9–10 credits of approved electives

Long-Term Care

For the nutrition or health professional seeking to gain knowledge and skills related to working with the elderly.

Complete requirements for the Gerontology Certificate (23)

Sports and Fitness

For the nutrition professional needing more training in exercise and fitness or for the fitness professional who needs more advanced training in nutrition.

Required Courses:

If graduate project option, select 9–10 credits of approved electives

Specialized Studies

Create an approved interdisciplinary program that incorporates graduate courses to meet your career goals. Requires 16–27 credit hours of approved coursework.