- Degree Requirements
- Transfer Credits
- Online Application Process
- International Applicants
- For international applicants
- Admission and Selection Criteria
Degree Requirements
All graduate course offerings for the M.S. in Public Health Nutrition are offered fully online. The program is a part-time, 34 credit advanced degree with rolling admission. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution of higher education, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50. Preference will be given to those with a GPA of 2.75 or higher. For consideration, applicants must have completed the following prerequisite courses:
- General chemistry with lab (completed through a comprehensive one-semester course or through general chemistry I)
- Organic chemistry with lab (completed through a comprehensive one-semester course or through organic chemistry I)
- Human physiology with lab (completed through a comprehensive one-semester course or through anatomy & physiology I and II)*
- Introductory nutrition
- Statistics*
*These courses may be taken concurrently to the MS Nutrition coursework, but will not count toward the degree.
See all program requirements in the course catalog.
Transfer Credits
- Students can request that up to 12 credits from other institutions be transferred. These must have been completed with a grade of ‘B-’ or better and cannot have been counted towards the awarding of another degree. The decision to accept transfer credits is fully at the discretion of the Graduate Program Coordinator and/or by committee or other review process set up by the academic degree program. Documentation of transfer credit acceptance must follow standard KSC procedures set by the Registrar.
- Graduate level courses taken elsewhere can be evaluated by faculty for satisfying specific course requirements for the master’s degree. For consideration, students must supply the syllabus that lists course outcomes and assessment methods, and have earned a “B-“ or better in the course under consideration.
- Students who have completed the B.S. in Public Health/Nutrition and/or the Dietetic Internship at KSC, the following courses will be considered based on grade earned, and semester completed:
- PH 415 Nutritional Biochemistry: If KSC B.S. Public Health/Nutrition students have earned an “A” or “AB” in fall 2018, 2019 or 2020, PH 615 Nutritional Biochemistry can be “waived”.
- EDUCCI 698 Research and Public Practice: If Dietetic Intern alumni took this course in spring 2021, it will satisfy PH 602 Food and Nutrition Policy.
- EDUC 690 Food, Wellness and the Social Environment: If Dietetic Intern alumni took this course in spring 2020 or spring 2021, it will satisfy PH 601 Food Systems and Sustainability.
Online Application Process
The online appication process includes the following:
- Submission of official transcripts from all prior degree programs.
- Submission of professional resume that identifies employment history.
- Submission of three letters of recommendation by three different professional references. At least one reference must be from an individual who is not affiliated with KSC. A professional reference may include college or university professors, employers or supervisors, professional staff members or colleagues. Members of your family and friends are not considered to be professional references. Letters of recommendation written for employment are not acceptable.
- Written essay that addresses the following: In your own words, define public health. Why you are pursuing an advanced degree in Public Health Nutrition? Please include your professional goals. How have your previous experiences prepared you for advanced study in Public Health Nutrition?
- Formal interview, arranged as part of the application process.
International Applicants
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are an international applicant. If transcripts of course work you did at a foreign college or university are being forwarded to KSC, you must have the transcripts evaluated by a professional service such as World Education Services, Inc., and the transcripts must be accompanied by a certified English translation. In addition, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
For international applicants
- Complete the online application.
- Submit transcripts of all college preparatory education and/ or college- or university-level coursework (a certified English translation must accompany the transcripts).
- Official Language Tests - If the language of instruction for the majority of your education has been taught in any language other than English, submit official test results for one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Paper Based Test, Computer Based Test, or Internet Based Test.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- Submit a Certification of Finances form. This form is available through the Graduate Studies Office at Keene State College. Call 603-358-2497 or e-mail gradstudies@keene.edu. Please note that information disclosed on the Certification of Finances has no bearing on the admissions decision.
Admission and Selection Criteria
Our ideal applicant demonstrates interest in community nutrition, public health, and/or population health. A successful application must include all of the required information outlined below. We rank the parts of your application in the following order of importance:
- Work Experience/Volunteer Experience as outlined in resume
- Essay that addresses all criteria
- Letters of Recommendation
- Undergraduate GPA
We are looking for your work/volunteer experience, personal statement and letters of recommendation to demonstrate the following characteristics:
- Interest in community nutrition, public health, and/or population health
- Self-direction and independence
- Flexibility
- Good organizational and communication skills
- Responsibility
- Creativity
Refer to the preferred application deadline and submit your online application with all required materials today!