Chair: Laura B. Frank, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N.

Immaculata has a long tradition of preparing professional leaders in the field of nutrition and health promotion. The graduate Nutrition Education Department continues to meet this challenge by offering a diverse blend of coursework to meet the unique needs of every graduate student.   Different options are available for obtaining a master’s degree in nutrition education depending upon the individual’s background and career goals. The Dietetics option in the program combines the M.A. degree in Nutrition Education with an ADA dietetic internship. The Advanced Dietetics Practice option, reflecting the department’s commitment to graduate education for the registered dietitian (R.D.), provides a program for the R.D. that can be tailored to meet professional needs and areas of interest. The Nutrition and Wellness Promotion option provides a foundation in nutrition science and education combined with a range of elective course choices, for students from a variety of health-related or education disciplines.   These programs will enable the student to:

• Obtain in-depth knowledge of nutrient metabolism, medical nutrition therapy, changing nutrition needs throughout the life cycle, and specialized topics in applied nutrition
• Communicate nutrition information to a variety of audiences, utilizing knowledge of interpersonal communication, program development and implementation, and counseling skills
• Develop, implement, evaluate and present original research
• Utilize nutrition literature and resources, integrate nutrition knowledge from a variety of sources, and apply this knowledge to complex, real-world human situations
• Develop enhanced knowledge and skills to obtain an entry-level position in the field of dietetics (internship option), or advance to higher-level career positions and leadership opportunities in the field of nutrition (R.D. option) or another chosen field (wellness/health promotion option)

Program of Study

Applicants to the Nutrition Education Program are required to have a bachelor’s degree with completion of prerequisite coursework. Prerequisites vary depending on the option selected (see individual option below for specific requirements).   Students applying to the dietetic internship must also complete American Dietetic Association academic prerequisites. As deemed necessary, students will be required to take undergraduate courses to meet these admission requirements prior to acceptance into the graduate program.   There are three options for obtaining an M.A. in Nutrition Education: