Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition


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Behavioral Health and Nutrition (MS)

Telephone: (302) 831-2265
http://www.udel.edu/bhan
Faculty Listing: http://sites.udel.edu/bhan/directory/

The Department offers graduate programs leading to Master of Science degrees in Health Promotion (non-thesis) and Human Nutrition (thesis and non-thesis options). The Department also offers a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship certificate program and a Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching.

Although admission occurs on an on-going basis for BHAN graduate programs, to ensure consideration for admission to one of these degree programs, a completed admission application should be submitted no later than January 15 for the fall semester and September 15 for the spring semester. Admission application forms are available from the Graduate Office, from the department, and online at: (http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/apply).

International student applicants must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language if English is not their first language. The University requires departments to use an official paper-based TOEFL score of 550 or better or 213 or better on the computer-based TOEFL or 79 on the IBET TOEFL for an applicant to be considered for admission. The University expects a minimum score of 18 on the Internet-based Speaking Test. TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be validated or considered official.

A limited number of teaching assistantships/tuition scholarships are available on a competitive basis. To be eligible the student must complete an application file and must be qualified for admission in regular status. Funding decisions are made separately from admission decisions. First priority is given to thesis students. Please refer to Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships  for more information.

Graduate Programs

M.S. in Health Promotion - This interdisciplinary program prepares professionals for the successful design, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion interventions, with graduates having the skills and knowledge to produce positive impact on health behaviors.

M.S. in Human Nutrition - This program provides advanced training in nutrition and includes both thesis and non-thesis (scholarly project) options.

Dietetic Internship - This innovative, distance-learning and computer-based internship program is for individuals who are seeking the registered dietitian (R.D.) credential. The Internship won a national award in 2003.

Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching - This program provides students and professionals working in health care with the knowledge and skills to facilitate positive behavior change to promote health and reduce chronic disease risk and experience.

Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching

Telephone: (302) 831-2265
Web Site: http://www.udel.edu/bhan/graduates/health_coaching.html

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching provides students and professionals working in health care with the knowledge and skills to facilitate positive behavior change to promote health and reduce chronic disease risk and experience. Specifically, training serves to develop health coaching skills that will:

  • help people clarify their health goals, and implement and sustain behaviors, lifestyles, and attitudes that are conducive to optimal health.
  • guide people in their self-care and health-maintenance activities.
  • assist people in reducing the negative impact made on their lives by chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.

This graduate certificate program allows students to take courses (18 credit hours) specializing in health coaching to enhance their academic and professional experience. Students may work towards a graduate certificate in addition to pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree or students may enroll in this stand-alone graduate certificate program for the purpose of personal and professional development. In some programs, certificate program course credit can be applied toward a graduate degree. ALL graduate certificate program students must achieve a cumulative 3.0 (B) grade point average in all graduate certificate courses attempted in order for the graduate certificate to be granted.

Requirements for Admission

Admission to the Health Coaching Certificate Program is determined by the satisfactory completion of the following:

  • A health-related undergraduate degree from an accredited institute of higher education (e.g. behavioral health, nutrition, exercise science, nursing, or related discipline(s)). Health professionals with master’s or doctoral degrees may choose to participate in this program. Individuals with a non-health related undergraduate degree but with commensurate and demonstrable experience in behavioral health and/or health care are also eligible to apply.
  • Successful completion of the University of Delaware Graduate Studies application including official transcript(s), three letters of recommendation, and an application essay.

Acceptance into the program will be determined by a committee comprised of faculty that teach in the program curriculum. Qualifications of each applicant are assessed on the basis of a record of success in undergraduate work and potential for success in graduate-level work or demonstrated success in graduate work. If academic deficiencies are identified applicants may be required to take prerequisite courses prior to formal admission. Review of applications and admission are conducted on a rolling basis. Admission into the Graduate Certificate Program can occur after enrolling in graduate courses.

MS in Health Promotion

Telephone: (302) 831-6681
http://sites.udel.edu/bhan/graduates-health-promo/

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Health Promotion prepares professionals for the successful design, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion interventions. Students are prepared in the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle and behaviors through a combination of efforts that involve cognitive and behavioral modification, and environmental and cultural change. The program is designed to meet the needs of both traditional graduate students and working professionals, with graduates having the skills and knowledge to work with a wide variety of populations and in diverse settings. The program provides opportunity to pursue specific areas of emphasis within health promotion which can include but is not limited to: exercise science, aging, nutrition, social marketing, health psychology, health communications, worksite health, or customized study.

Requirements for Admission

Students will be admitted to the program based upon enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following entrance requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree based on a four-year curriculum from an accredited college or university.
  • Acceptable undergraduate transcripts.
  • Three letters of recommendation indicating the capability, interest, maturity, scholastic, and professional potential of the candidate for graduate study.
  • Adequate preparation in health as determined by the prerequisite requirements.
  • Acceptable GRE scores (verbal score of 153 or higher and quantitative score of 144 or higher).

Recommended Prerequisites

All prerequisites are subject to individual review by the Health Promotion Graduate committee. Specific prerequisites for the program are:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Equivalent of three topical health-related courses
  • Health Promotion or Community Health Programming course

Admission is selective and competitive, based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. See Graduate Admissions  for additional information.

Financial Aid

Available financial aid will be awarded to full-time students (registered in at least six graduate credits each semester) based on admission ranking, needs of the program, and experience and expertise of the graduate student. Students who receive financial aid will be obligated to work up to 20 hours per week in an assigned position during the fall and spring semesters. Some forms of financial aid may provide support for tuition while others may not. Continuation of this award is contingent upon the evaluation of the program director and Health Promotion Graduate committee. The student must remain in good academic standing to be eligible for the continuation of the award.

MS in Human Nutrition

Telephone: (302) 831-4991
http://sites.udel.edu/bhan/graduates-human-nutrition/

Program Overview

The goals of the MS in Human Nutrition are to develop graduate students who have: advanced knowledge of nutritional science, ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, in-depth and current knowledge in a specific area of emphasis, and skills for research, teaching, and leadership positions. The MS program in Human Nutrition has dedicated faculty and is supported with well-equipped research facilities.

Requirements for Admission

Requirements for admission include an undergraduate cumulative index (based on a 4.0 system) of 2.75 with a 3.00 average in the major field. The recommended minimum combined verbal and math GRE score is 1000 (for tests taken on or before July 31, 2011) or 297 (for tests taken on or after August 1, 2011) for verbal and quantitative reasoning combined. International students applying for a teaching assistantship must report a paper-based TOEFL score of at least 600 (250 or better on the computer-based TOEFL or 100 on the IBET TOEFEL) and Test of Spoken English (TSE) score of at least 45. A score of 575 or better (231 or better on the computer-based TOEFL) is required or 90 on the IBET TOEFEL for international students who do not apply for a teaching assistantship. Three letters of reference from individuals able to evaluate the applicant’s potential for successful graduate work are also necessary to complete the application file. See Graduate Admissions  for more information.

Prerequisite courses to regular status include: human or animal physiology, inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry (preferably with lab), and one semester of human nutrition having a biochemistry prerequisite. Students planning to pursue thesis research topics related to social science aspects of nutrition and food habits should have some courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.

Students seeking to enter the program from undergraduate majors other than nutrition should expect to take prerequisite courses in sciences and nutrition prior to admission on regular status.

Admission to the program is selective and competitive based on the number of applicants and limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission.

Dietetic Internship

Telephone: (302) 831-4989
http://www.udel.edu/bhan/dietetic

Program Overview

The Dietetic Internship at the University of Delaware is an Internet-based program that can be completed anywhere in the United States. This internship interprets the missions of the University, the College of Health Sciences, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition through its activities to promote philosophies to include education of students, service in the community, and participation in professional organizations.

This internship provides graduates of a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) with an opportunity to increase their knowledge of food and nutrition science, and to acquire competencies needed to practice dietetics in a variety of settings. Upon successful completion of the program, each student will receive a verification of completion certificate and be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Requirements for Admission

Admission requirements for the University of Delaware Dietetic Internship include the following:

  • Minimum of a baccalaureate degree.
  • Verification of completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics or an intent to complete form, from an approved/accredited undergraduate program.
  • Overall GPA of 2.75 or above; GPA of 2.75 or above in professional courses.
  • Recent relevant work experience beyond that required for undergraduate course requirements (may be either paid or volunteer).
  • A Medical Nutrition Therapy course completed no more than four years prior to the application to the Dietetic Internship.
  • A Biochemistry course completed no more than five years prior to the application to the Dietetic Internship.

Admission to the dietetic internship is competitive based on the number of applicants. This program is accredited to accept up to 42 dietetic interns annually. Those who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission.

Medical Sciences (PhD)

Telephone: (302) 831-8006
http://www.udel.edu/chs/graduates/phd_medsci.html

Coordinator: Mary Ann McLane, Ph.D.
Telephone: (302) 831-8737
Address: University of Delaware, 305G Willard Hall Educ Bld, Newark, DE 19716
Email: mclane@udel.edu

Admissions Requirements

  1. BS, MS, or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. GRE scores of at least 148 on quantitative reasoning and at least 150 on verbal reasoning.
  3. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  4. Written statement of goals and objectives (the personal statement) that clearly identifies the applicant’s research and curriculum interests and explains how admission to the program will facilitate his/her professional objectives.
  5. Current resumé and three letters of recommendation.

All students will be expected to be sufficiently conversant in English and knowledgeable in the written word to convey clear, logical, and complex written expressions.

Admission is selective and competitive, based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. See Graduate Admissions  for additional information.

Programs

    Master’sCertificate

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