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Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science

Program and Application Information
Department Head:Dr. Yeong Rhee
Graduate Coordinator:Dr. Bryan Christensen
Email:Bryan.Christensen.1@ndsu.edu
Department Location:Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse
Department Phone:(701) 231-7474
Department Web Site:www.ndsu.edu/hnes/
Degrees Offered:M.S., MATrg, Ph.D.
Test Requirement:GRE required only for Ph.D. and for M.S. HNES - Exercise/Nutrition Science option
English Proficiency Requirements:TOEFL ibT 79; IELTS 6.5

Application Deadlines:

  • Ph.D. Exercise Science/Nutrition: Applications that are received and complete by March 15 will be given priority for fall semester. Applications that are received and complete after March 15 will be reviewed through May 1 for consideration for fall semester.
  • M.S. HNES-Exercise/Nutrition Science: Applications that are received and complete by March 15 will be given priority for fall semester. Applications that are received and complete after March 15 will be reviewed through May 1 for consideration for fall semester.
  • M.S. Dietetics (online only): Mar 1 (summer/fall), Oct 15 (spring)
  • HNES-Leadership in Physical Education Sport (online only): Apr 1 (enrollment cap=20 students)

Program Description

The Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (HNES) offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in HNES with options in Exercise/Nutrition Science and Leadership in Physical Education and Sport. The HNES department also offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Dietetics (on line through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance), Master of Science (M.S.) in Advanced Athletic Training and a  Master of Athletic Training (MATrg)  degree. A Ph.D. degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition is also available.

Ph.D. in Exercise Science and Nutrition

The Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (HNES) offers a doctoral program in Exercise Science and Nutrition. Exercise Science and Nutrition includes the study of energy systems, nutrient intake, behavior motivation, and the physiology and mechanics of movement. Faculty are scholars in community nutrition, nutrition across the lifespan, clinical nutrition, exercise science, biomechanics, and physical activity and health. Prevention and treatment of obesity, improving physical activity, and building community-based health enhancements across the lifespan are strengths of the HNES faculty. Graduates of this program will have a strong understanding of both Exercise Science and Nutrition that will enable them to assume positions of leadership in research and teaching in community, government, university or other professional agencies and organizations.

Admission requirements are as follows:

1) Cumulative baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.

2) Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

3) Completion of a Bachelor's or Master’s degree from an accredited university in field closely related to Nutrition, Health, Dietetics, Kinesiology, or Exercise Science.

4) A faculty has agreed to be the applicant’s mentor.

Exercise/Nutrition Science Option

The Exercise/Nutrition Science option prepares the graduate for advanced positions with an emphasis in the areas of physical activity, exercise science, nutrition, and health promotion. The department is devoted to researching and understanding the long-term effects of physical activity and nutrition, and translating this research into effective exercise science and wellness programs for children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. This option is appropriate for athletic trainers, nutrition, and exercise science graduates.

Admission requirements are as follows:

1) Cumulative baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.

2) Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

3) Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in field closely related to Nutrition, Dietetics, or Exercise Science.

4) A faculty has agreed to be the applicant’s mentor.

Leadership in Physical Education and Sport Option

The Leadership in Physical Education and Sport (LPES) option is an online program that prepares teachers and coaches to become actively engaged in leadership roles within school systems or professional organizations. This degree prepares students to be master teachers, head coaches, department heads, and activities directors at the interscholastic level; assistant coaches, lecturers, and assistant or lead directors at the intercollegiate level; and to become actively engaged in leadership roles within professional organizations.

Admission requirements are as follows:

 1.       Cumulative baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
 2.       Undergraduate degree in the field of Kinesiology (physical education, coaching, etc.)

A 3.0 is needed to be considered for full acceptance into the LPES program. Applicants with a undergraduate GPA below 3.0 will be considered for conditional acceptance and will have to complete 9 graduate credit hours with grades of at least B to be considered for full standing. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee acceptance.

Dietetics (On-line)

The Dietetics program prepares registered dietitians to practice at an advanced level or pursue doctoral study. The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance program in Dietetics provides opportunities for registered dietitians and registration-eligible dietetic graduates to integrate and apply principles from the biomedical sciences, human behavior, and management to design and lead effective food and nutrition programs in a variety of settings. This program is fully online (http://www.ndsu.edu/hnes/dietetics_on_line ).

In a multi-institution degree program, students (must be registered dietitians or registration-eligible dietetic graduates):

  1. Apply and are admitted to one university;
  2. Enroll in all courses at that university; and
  3. Graduate or receive a certificate from that university.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to Graduate School admission requirements, the following criteria will be considered at the time of application for admission into graduate study. Admission to a master's degree program is considered ONLY after all required application materials have been received and reviewed. In order to be considered, the applicant must have a Bachelor of Science degree in an HNES related field from an accredited institution, an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and have submitted all required materials as listed. The GRE is required for the Ph.D. and the Exercise/Nutrition Science option of the M.S. degree.

 During the application process, the applicant must submit an exhibit of his/her written competency through an essay discussing professional philosophy and professional goals.

The Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences reserves the right to obtain additional information about the applicant's professional competence from qualified professionals. Admission decisions are based upon the predicted success of the applicant as a student and professional in the chosen field and are made only after considering all available data.

Financial Assistance

Both research and teaching assistantships may be available. Applications are considered on the basis of scholarship, potential to undertake advanced study and research, and financial need. To be considered for an assistantship, a completed Graduate School application, official transcripts, and three letters of reference must be received by the Graduate School by the program deadline. The department admits students for fall semester only in the Ph.D. program and the MS Exercise/Nutrition option. Graduate assistants receive a financial stipend for their work, and a full tuition waiver for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Assistantships are available contingent upon current funding and faculty need.

Exercise/Nutrition Science Option

Required Courses
HNES 790Graduate Seminar (Introduction to HNES )1
HNES 710Introduction to Research Design and Methods in HNES3
HNES 777Scholarly Writing and Presenting in HNES3
STAT 725Applied Statistics3
HNES 713Graduate Exercise Physiology (Restricted to students enrolled in the Exercise Science/Nutrition Option)3
HNES 726Nutrition in Wellness3
Electives 9
HNES 798Master's Thesis6

Leadership in Physical Education and Sport Option

HNES 700Research in Physical Education and Sport3
HNES 701Leadership and Entrepreneurship3
HNES 704Psychological Foundation of Sport & Physical Activity3
HNES 705Analysis of Sport Skill Instruction and Acquisition3
HNES 707Sport in American Society3
HNES 711Physical Education Curriculum3
HNES 712Supervision and Management3
HNES 714Legal Liability in HPER3
HNES 731Governance in Sport3
HNES 790Graduate Seminar3
HNES 794Practicum/Internship1
Total Credits31

Dietetics Option

A Dietetics graduate candidate must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours to earn a Master of Science degree, 30 of which are didactic. The remaining 6-credits required to complete the degree must follow one of 3 plans.

Plan A – Thesis [if planning on a terminal degree or only recommended if the student is able to travel to NDSU to meet with the major professor].

Plan B – Comprehensive Study - After consulting with the major advisor and selecting a topic, students will carry out planning and completion of this research-based project in frequent interactions with a supervisory committee. The culmination of this project would be a comprehensive report or a manuscript that could be submitted to a journal. 

Plan C – This plan would require 36 credits of coursework. Elective graduate courses totaling six credits will be taken from the electives. 

Required Core Courses9
Introduction to Research Design and Methods in HNES
Current Issues in Dietetics
Applied Statistics
Electives21
Cost Controls in Hospitality and Food Service Systems
Entrepreneurship in Dietetics
Community Health and Nutrition Education
Nutrition, Health and Aging
Sports Nutrition
Nutrition Education
Nutrition in Wellness
Grant Writing for the Health Professional
Fundamentals of Leadership
Foodservice Operation Management
Food Writing for Professionals
Foodservice Systems within Healthcare
Maternal and Child Nutrition
International Nutrition
Nutrition: A Focus on Life Stages
Obesity Across the Lifespan
Community Health Leadership
Nutrition and Health Disparities
Understanding Food Culture
Advanced Human Nutrition: Macronutrients
Metabolism of Micronutrients
Phytochemicals
Advanced Clinical Nutrition
Pediatric Clinical Nutrition
Nutritional Aspects of Oncology
Clinical Aspects of Nutrition Support
Nutrition and Immunology
HNES 798Master's Thesis6
or HNES 797 Master's Paper
Total Credits36

Ardith Brunt, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1999
Research Interests: Nutrition, Gerontology

Wonwoo Byun, Ph.D.
University of South Carolina-Columbia, 2012
Research Interests: Physical Activity Epidemiology

Bryan Christensen, Ph.D.
University of Kansas, 2000
Research Interests: Biomechanics, Sports Psychology, Strength and Conditioning

Shannon David, Ph.D.
Ohio University, 2013
Research Interests: Patient Clinician Relationship, Quantification of Intervention Outcomes

Joe Deutsch, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2007
Research Interests: Physical Education Teacher Education, Youth Sport Coaching

Marty Douglas, Ph.D.
Michigan State University, 2009
Research Interests: Adapted Physical Activity

Kara Gange, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2010
Research Interests: Therapeutic Modalities, Diagnostic Ultrasound

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1994
Research Interests: Nutrition Education, Chronic Disease Prevention, Food Safety/Science

Nikki German, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2008
Research Interests: Athletic Training

Kyle Hackney, Ph.D.
Syracuse University, 2013
Research Interests: Skeletal Muscle, Sarcopenia, Muscle Inactivity, Ergogenic Aids

Mary Larson, Ph.D.
University of North Dakota, 2008
Research Interests: Health Promotion, Lifestyle Medicine

Jenny Linker, Ph.D.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2011
Research Interests: Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs, Physical Education Teacher Preparation

Katie Lyman, Ph.D.
University of South Florida, 2014
Research interests: Kinesio Tape®, Emergency Medicine, Electromyography

Yeong Rhee, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 1999
Research Interests: Chronic Disease Prevention, Immune Function, Functional Foods, Microbiome

Sherri Nordstrom Stastny, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2007
Research Interests: Nutrition for Healthy Aging

Bradford N. Strand, Ph.D.
University of New Mexico, 1988
Research Interests: Physical Education Curriculum and Instruction, Fitness Education, Sport Sociology

Donna J. Terbizan, Ph.D.
The Ohio State University, 1982
Research Interests: Exercise Physiology, Fitness, Wellness, Exercise Science, Chronic Disease Change