M.Ed. Concentration in Nutrition Education Specialization in Nutrition Education

College of Education - Department of Nutrition

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Nutrition Education, specialization in Nutrition Education Specialist (NES) combines the advanced study of education, applied nutrition and nutrition education with the opportunity for students to broaden their expertise in elective courses of their choice. The specialization in Nutrition Education Specialist is designed for:

  • Health Educators/ counselors in school, healthcare, community programs, and other organizations.
  • Nutrition professionals with or without certification as a Registered Dietician.
  • Health, physical education, and consumer science teachers.
  • School Nutrition Directors.

Program Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop effective nutrition education curriculum for a variety of audiences.
  • Integrate current science-based nutrition issues into food, nutrition, and wellness policies.
  • Design and interpret nutrition education research.
  • Select and utilize appropriate technology for nutrition education.

Note: All courses are offered online.

 

Program Requirements

The program requires a minimum of ten (10) graduate courses which include: three (3) education core courses, four (4) nutrition core courses and three (3) specialization elective courses.

A timed, online comprehensive exam is required as the student’s culminating experience. Additional information about the comprehensive exam and application due dates is available from the program advisor.

Students who do not meet graduate program prerequisite requirements are required to complete additional courses:

  • A statistics course within the last five (5) years is required before enrolling in NUED 911 Research Methods in Nutrition.
  • If the student’s baccalaureate degree is in a field other than nutrition, students are required to complete NUED 910 Nutrition Science for Educators. This course is offered during the summer term and must be taken the summer immediately following matriculation into this program.

 

Note: All courses are offered online.

Education Core Courses (3)

  • EDIL 920 Learning and Human Development
  • NUED 911 Research Methods in Nutrition
  • NUED 973 Nutrition Education Programs and Curricula I: Design

Nutrition Core Courses (4)

  • NUED 914 Contemporary Nutrition Issues for Educators
  • NUED 970 Technology in Nutrition Education
  • NUED 978 Public Health Nutrition

Capstone:

  • NUED 993 Nutrition Education Programs and Curricula II: Implementation and Evaluation

 

Specialization Elective Courses (3)

Three (3) graduate level electives are required. Disciplines may include: nutrition science, nutrition education, management, leadership, organizational change, grantsmanship, counseling, education, health and wellness, and healthcare.

Recommended Specialization Electives:

  • EDUC 940 Adult Development and Learning
  • NUED 900 Leadership in Excellence in School Nutrition
  • NUED 922 Communication in Public Health and Nutrition
  • NUED 924 Obesity and Weight Management
  • NUED 936 Behavioral Health Psychology
  • NUED 948 Enhancing Wellbeing: Theory and Practice
  • NUTR 920 Pediatric Nutrition
  • NUTR 940 Nutrition and Healthy Aging
  • NUTR 950 Contemporary Issues in the Food System
  • NUTR 990 Directed Study in Food and Nutrition

Note: An elective not on this list must be pre-approved by the program advisor prior to enrolling in the course. Students may also transfers up to two (2) graduate-level elective courses with the prior written approval of the program advisor. 

Admission Requirements

  1. Applicants must complete online graduate admission application
  2. Applicants must submit $50.00 application fee
  3. Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must submit an official transcript from each college or university attended as an undergraduate or graduate student. Bachelor’s degree in a related field includes: food and nutrition, hospitality, education (physical, health, consumer sciences, biology), and nursing. Students with other degrees will be reviewed in the application process. Previous coursework must cover the following areas:
    • Basic nutrition or NUED 910 Nutrition Science in the Classroom
    • Biostatistics (preferred) or statistics in the last five (5) years
  4. Applicants are required to possess an overall quality point average (QPA) of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale including acceptable grades in science courses.
  5. All prerequisite courses must be completed.
  6. Applicants who do not fulfill the QPA requirement but have a minimum quality point average of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale will be considered for admission after they complete two prerequisite courses at Framingham State University. These courses must have prior approval and must be completed with a grade of B (3.00) or better.
  7. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, and/or colleagues, submitted on the Framingham State University Letter of Recommendation form and sent directly to the University by the recommender.
  8. Applicants must submit a typed, 300-word personal statement discussing their motivation for seeking a master’s degree in view of prior formal education, current job responsibilities, and career plans.
  9. Applicants must have a minimum of one (1) year of professional experience.

    Applicants are evaluated based on numerous factors including previous college coursework, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Master of Education with a concentration in Nutrition Education are accepted on a rolling basis. Although the University accepts on a rolling basis, courses are not offered every semester.

Student applying for the School Nutrition Specialist must apply by June 1st of the preceding academic year to start the internship in the fall. Students admitted after June 1st may still begin their studies in the fall in the other required master’s degree courses.

Effective as of the 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog