Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Nutrition Institute. There are many exciting developments in the field of human nutrition! This website offers information on the current possibilities in the field. If you have questions on the credentialling of Nutritionists, please review the News and Information section in the Nutrition Resource Center. Library resources, online journals, research-related web sites, and employment information will also be found in the Center.
If you have questions regarding the M.S. in Human Nutrition program; admission requirements, course prerequisites, etc. please consult the list below. If you have specific questions not addressed here please contact our program coordinator, Terri Roma, at terrir@bridgeport.edu or at (203) 576-4667.
Are there any prerequisite courses for the M.S. in Human Nutrition? -There are three undergraduate prerequisite courses for non-science majors; Introductory Biochemistry,(4 credits), Human Anatomy and Physiology,(6 credits) and Introduction to Nutrition, (2 credits). If you have not taken these courses and credits in your undergraduate studies within the last 10 years (and achieved a grade of Bor higher), these courses will be required before being entered into our Master’s Program. These courses are offered on campus (weekends) or online.
Do prequisite courses qualify for financial aid? -Yes normally they do. You must be registered for 6 credits per semester to qualify for financial aid. Please contact our financial aid office for more details at 203-576-4567
What are the admission requirements?
-To be admitted for graduate level courses you should hold a baccalaurate degree from an accredited college or university with an above average academic record, ordinarily a
GPA of 3.0 or better.
How long do I have to complete the program?
-The program can be completed in as little at 28 months or up to 5 years from the start of your first master’s course. The pace is up to you.
I have a Doctor of Chiropractic degree but not a baccalaureate degree. Can I qualify for this program?
-Yes. Chiropractors may apply for admission into the nutrition program in the absence of baccalaureate degree. The professional degree warrants a waiver of the baccalaureate requirement.
How do I apply? -You can request an application from the Nutrition Institute at (203) 576-4667 or from Health Sciences Graduate Admissions at 203-576-4348. Complete and submit the application form, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and original copies of all of your previous academic transcripts.
How will I know whether I have been admitted?
-The Admissions office will advise you on the status of your application. The evaluation usually takes approximately 2-3 weeks once your application, two letters of recommendation, and all your academic transcripts have been received. If pre requisites are required, you may be provisionally accepted to the program dependent upon your successful completion of your prerequisite courses.
Is the University of Bridgeport’s nutrition program accredited by the ADA?
No. The University’s program holds no affiliation with the ADA. The ADA is the professional organization for dietetic practitioners. Individuals interested in becoming registered dieticians should consult the Directory of Dietetic Programs, which is published by the ADA. Students in this program are qualified to sit for exams given by several nutrition certification organizations upon completion of this program. Please see Employment Outlook for more information regarding certification.
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
-A dietitian is a health professional who has received the basic educational requirement of a bachelor’s degree with a major in dietetics, foods and nutrition, or food service management systems. Registered dietitians are those who pass a certification exam after the completion of their academic program and have taken their supervised experience in institutional food service programs.
Individuals interested in nutrition education and health promotion, but not dietetics, have the option of completing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nutrition programs which have no ADA affiliation. These individuals function independently of the ADA and disseminate nutrition information through methods such as consultation, research, and teaching. These individuals call themselves nutritionists and they are distinguished from dietitians.
Please see Employment Outlook for more information.
With a M.S. degree in Nutrition, am I qualified as a certified nutritionist?
-No. Certification as a nutritionist is achieved through your state of residence or through a national nutrition certification organization. In both cases, passing an exam and supervised training are usually requirements for certification. Please see Employment Outlook for more information.
Who are graduates of the program?
-Chiropractors, Dental Hygienists, Exercise Physiologists, Dentists, Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Registered Dieticians, Teachers, and others who wish to join the Healthcare profession who have never worked in healthcare beforehand.. Please see Meet a Graduate to learn about many successful alumni.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, with the M.S. degree in Human Nutrition, can I sit for the diplomate in nutrition from the American Chiropractic Board of Nutrition (DACBN)?
-Yes. Those D.C.‘s who have a Master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Bridgeport will be eligible to sit for the diplomate of the
ACBN.