Master of Science Clinical Nutrition (MS)

Clinical Nutrition: Academic Programs

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition: Admission Requirements

All who apply to the Clinical Nutrition MS degree track must have a baccalaureate degree.

Prerequisite courses from an accredited U.S. university that are required for admission to the Clinical Nutrition MS degree include the following:

• At least one course in biochemistry*
• At least one course in physiology
• At least one course in nutrition
• At least one course in statistics

*Students should note that two semesters of general chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry are typically the prerequisites for biochemistry. The prerequisite for physiology is an introductory biology course.

Application requirements: Required application fees and the application process are specified on the Department of Clinical Nutrition webpage. If you have questions, contact Sarah Peterson, PhD, RD, LDN, program director at Sarah_J_Peterson@rush.edu or call (312) 942-7845.

Acceptance procedures for the Clinical Nutrition MS degree track include a review of application materials by the Rush University College of Health Sciences Admissions Office for completeness of application and a review by the Clinical Nutrition Admissions Committee for program acceptance. Students may be admitted in any of the three terms.

Students accepted into the Clinical Nutrition MS degree track will receive a letter of acceptance from the Rush University College of Health Sciences Admissions Office. An acceptance confirmation fee of $250 is required at this time. This fee is nonrefundable and will be applied to tuition for the first term.

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition: Graduation Requirements

Once admitted into the Clinical Nutrition MS degree track, students must complete all coursework for graduation. Students must perform the following in order to graduate and have the degree conferred:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Successfully complete all didactic coursework
• Successfully complete all requirements of the master’s research project
• Pass the Rush University Interprofessional course
• Complete a minimum of 16 contact hours of approved professional or community service

Students must complete all requirements within five years from matriculation. Any student who expects to go beyond the timeframe must request an exception to the policy in writing to the Clinical Nutrition Academic Progress and Promotions committee.

Clinical Nutrition: Research Activities

Students will be required to complete a master’s research project. Faculty members of the Department of Clinical Nutrition are involved in applied nutrition research. Faculty and students present at professional meetings and publish in peer reviewed journals. A list of faculty and student research presentations and publications can be found on the Clinical Nutrition webpage.

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition: Service Activities

Students are required to complete 16 hours of community or professional service. Students meet this requirement in a variety of ways, including assisting at health fairs, volunteering at a local food pantry and helping at local clinics.

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition: Academic Policies

The Clinical Nutrition MS degree track is offered on a part-time or full-time basis. A full-time student can complete the curriculum in four terms. All students must complete the curriculum within five years of matriculation. If a student is not finished with the MS degree in five years, a request for an extension must be made to the Clinical Nutrition Academic Progress and Promotions Committee. If an extension is granted, conditions of the extension may include additional coursework to assure relevancy and currency of knowledge and competence at the master’s level.

Rush University requires continuous enrollment through to completion of degree (see Rush University policies for further information).

Students may be allowed to transfer up to 12 semester hours of applicable graduate credit from another accredited university. Graduate courses must be completed with a B or better and approved by the student’s supervisory committee to be awarded transfer credit.

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition: Technical Standards

Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will serve diverse communities locally and nationally.

Our core values — I CARE (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence) — translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful, accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

The following technical functions are required of all students enrolled in the Clinical Nutrition MS degree track:

Acquire Information

• Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses, such as lecture, group and physical demonstrations
• Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval)
• Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description and transparencies
•  Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal and non-verbal communication

Use and Interpret

• Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers
• Use and interpret information related to physiologic phenomena generated from diagnostic tools

Motor

• Possess psychomotor skills necessary to provide or assist in holistic clinical nutrition care and perform or assist with procedures and treatments
• Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide clinical nutrition care and assessment in emergencies and life support procedures and perform universal precautions against contamination

Communication

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families
• Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors and all members of the health care team during practicum and other learning experiences
• Accurately elicit information, including a medical history and other information to adequately and effectively evaluate a population’s, client’s or patient’s condition

Intellectual Ability

• Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients and populations
• Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the clinical nutrition role
• Synthesize information, problem-solve and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory, assessment or treatment strategy

Behavioral

• Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances
• Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need
• Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings

Character

• Demonstrate concern for others
• Integrity, accountability, interest and motivation are necessary personal qualities
• Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the Rush University and Clinical Nutrition Code of Ethics

The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs.

Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to learn more about accommodations at Rush University:

Marie Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Director, Office of Student Accessibility Services
Rush University
600 S. Paulina St., Suite 901
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5237
marie_lusk@rush.edu

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition: Curriculum