MS
MS
Nutrition and Health Sciences,
The Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences offers graduate degrees within Research Areas and Professional Specializations that are driven by the graduate faculty.
Description
The Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences is internationally recognized for its research, teaching, and outreach programs. Our classrooms and research laboratories are state-of-the-art and every graduate student is matched with an advisor whose expertise matches the student's career interests.
Our department offers a research-based MS degrees in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition, and a research or non-research option in several diverse areas of study: Community Nutrition and Health Promotion, Hospitality Management, and Nutrition and Exercise. In addition, students can earn a non-research master's degree (MS without thesis) in Dietetics (RD required) and Professional Studies in Dietetics.
Because of the diversity of degree programs offered through the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences and the Nutrition Interdepartmental program, students are encouraged to refer to the Nutrition and Health Sciences website to learn more about areas of study and degree programs, admission requirements, and step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Specializations
Applying for Admission
Standard requirements for all graduate programs
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.
If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.
After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.
- If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency
is required.
When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.
- If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
- Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.
Additional requirements specific to this program
The "Professional Studies in Dietetics" and "Hospitality Management" specializations have unique requirements--see Specialization section above for details.
For all other specializations:
- Three recommendation letters
- Resume
- Personal Statement: This statement is one of the most critical parts of your application. This is your opportunity to tell us about your personal and professional goals, why you desire a graduate degree in this area, and anything else that provides the Graduate Committee with a glimpse of "who you are." Demonstrate that your goals have been well thought out and that you understand what you are getting into. If you have job and/or volunteer experience that is relevant to your academic pursuits, provide details. It is helpful to highlight your strengths, although you should also address any weaknesses (such as poor grades or low GRE scores) and describe how that will affect your success as a graduate student. If you believe extenuating circumstances have hindered your academic progress, describe them in enough detail to help the Graduate Committee judge your application. (1-2 pages)
- Faculty: Applicants must have a confirmed advisor before applying. Applicants must communicate with individual graduate faculty by providing compelling reasons why their application should be considered in addition to serving as their graduate research advisor. Detailing volunteer, professional, and research experience as well as demonstrating passion and interest in their areas of research are key components. At least one faculty must agree to serve as the applicant's advisor before an applicant can submit their application. Applicants who apply without a confirmed advisor will be denied.
- Funding: See NUHS Graduate Programs for information about applying for graduate assistantships and fellowships.
Admission Application Deadlines
For financial consideration: February 15 for Fall
Department
Graduate Chair
Support Staff
Campus Address
Program Faculty
Tomasz Bednarski (bio)
Molecular mechanisms behind metabolic diseases pathogenesis with an emphasis on the role of aberrant lipid metabolism in cardiovascular and hepatic disorders
Amanda Higgins (bio)
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention, Assessment & Treatment, Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Cultural Competence in Healthcare
Sarah Hortman (bio)
Nutritional Sciences, Public Health Science, Health Program Development, Health Behavior Theory, Community Nutrition and Health Education, Health Promotion, Chronic Disease Prevention
Dennis Perkey (bio)
How Different Patient Populations Respond to Movement-Related Injuries
Heather Rasmussen (bio)
Dietary intervention for gastrointestinal health, Dietary assessment, Translational and clinical nutrition
Sunil K. Sukumaran (bio)
Taste Signaling, Taste Cell Regeneration, Taste -Oral Microbiome Interactions, Molecular Genetics, Mouse Models
Shinya Takahashi (bio)
Resistance Training, Physical Activity Measure, Healthy Living
Ivan J. Vechetti Jr. (bio)
Exercise physiology, microRNAs, Extracellular vesicles, Metabolic pathways
Sabine Zempleni (bio)
Nutrition and Sciences Communication
Janos Zempleni (bio)
Extracellular vesicles, Drug Delivery, Exosomes, Human Nutrition, Infant Nutrition, Microbiome, Milk, Non-coding RNA
UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.