Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition

Behavioral Health and Nutrition

Telephone: (302) 831-2265
https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/
Faculty Listing: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/faculty/

The Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition offers Doctoral programs in Health Behavior Science and Promotion and Nutrition Science; and Master’s programs in Health Promotion, Human Nutrition, as well as a Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship combination. The Department also offers a post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internship certificate program and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Health Coaching.

Although admission occurs on an on-going basis for some BHAN graduate programs, to ensure consideration for admission to most of these degree programs, a completed admission application should be submitted by January 15 for the fall semester and September 15 for the spring semester. Applications (all materials) are typically reviewed on a rolling basis between January 15 and March 15 for fall admission, and September 15 and October 15 for spring admission. Most applicants are admitted to start in the fall semester. Admission application forms are available from the Graduate College, from the department, and online at: (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/grad/prospective-students/grad-admissions/).

International student applicants must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language if English is not their first language. The minimum TOEFL score varies by degree program with Master’s degree programs typically requiring scores of at least 550 (paper based) or 79 (TOEFL IBT); and PhD programs requiring a score of at least 600 (paper based) or 100 (TOEFL IBT). 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. Please refer to Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships for more information.

Graduate Programs

Ph.D in Health Behavior Science and Promotion - The PhD in Health Behavior Science and Promotion (HBSP) provides the highest degree for health promotion and behavioral science professionals, preparing graduates for research careers in many settings, including academia, non-governmental organizations (business and non-profit), allied health fields, and public service at all levels of national government.

Ph.D. in Nutrition Science - The Nutrition Science PhD (NS PhD) program provides the highest degree for nutrition science professionals, preparing graduates for research careers in many settings including academia, non-governmental organizations (business and non-profit), allied health fields, and public service at all levels of national government. The curriculum will provide graduate students with the training needed to become effective scientific practitioners with the capacity to conduct independent research in nutrition with health-related outcomes, in applied and academic settings.

M.S. in Health Promotion - This interdisciplinary program prepares professionals for the successful design, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion interventions at the individual and population level; and strategies for positive health behavioral change. They develop the knowledge and skills to use strategies such as cognitive and behavioral modification, health coaching, health communication, and environmental and cultural change in diverse settings. The Master of Science (MS) in Health Promotion prepares graduates to work as health educators, research project managers, public health evaluators, and health coaches in settings including corporate wellness, academic institutions, local and state health departments, and health-related, nonprofit organizations.

M.S. in Human Nutrition - The Master of Science in Human Nutrition (MSHN) program emphasizes advanced knowledge of core nutrition principles and prepares students for advanced practice, research, and leadership roles. The focus of the MSHN is nutritional science, and the application of biochemistry, physiology, and biology principles to human nutrition in health and disease. Areas of emphasis include research and projects related to prevention or treatment of disease; nutrition in infancy, childhood, and aging; community nutrition; obesity; eating disorders; nutrition education; cardiovascular physiology; nutritional genomics, clinical nutrition and body composition and identifying and clarifying relationships between diet and health.

M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship - The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program prepares students through engagement in methods, implementation and interpretation of nutrition science, and to apply and advance the field of nutrition through research, clinical, management, or community areas of practice. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Dietetic Internship - This innovative, distance-learning and computer-based internship certificate program prepares students for entry-level practice as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Health Coaching - This certificate program provides students and professionals with the knowledge and skills to facilitate positive behavior change and reduce chronic disease risk in individuals.

PhD in Health Behavior Science and Promotion

Program Overview

The PhD in Health Behavior Science and Promotion (HBSP) provides the highest degree for health promotion and behavioral science professionals, preparing graduates for research careers in many settings, including academia, non-governmental organizations (business and non-profit), allied health fields, and public service at all levels of national government. The curriculum will provide graduate students with the training needed to become effective scientific practitioners with the capacity to conduct independent research in health-related outcomes and promotion, in applied and academic settings. Completion of a high-quality PhD dissertation, based on original research, is a key feature of the academic program. The research emphasis of the HBSP field is on the assessment of individual (including cognitive and affective domains), social, behavioral and environmental determinants of health, and the development of high quality, theoretically-grounded, and evidence-based health promotion interventions to address health problems in diverse populations.

Admission Requirements

Applications (all materials) for the program will be reviewed on a rolling basis between January 15 and July 1 for admission to the program at the beginning of the following fall semester. Since application decisions will be made on a rolling basis within this timeframe (January 15th - July 1), applicants are strongly advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible.

The materials required for the application to be considered complete are:

application form,
undergraduate/graduate transcripts,
official GRE scores,
three (or more) letters of recommendation,
curriculum vitae,
a graduate application essay where the candidate identifies how their own research interests relate to those of at least two Health Behavior Science and Promotion faculty members.

Recommended Prerequisites

A completed master’s degree in health promotion, public health or related social and behavioral science is required for admittance to the HBSP PhD Program.

Students enrolled in the MS in Health Promotion (currently offered within the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition) may apply to the HBSP PhD program during their first year of study. If admitted, they may begin their HBSP PhD program in their second year within the Department. Students applying to the MS to PhD bypass option must: (1) have exceptional performance during the first year of the Master’s program, (2) have the approval of the HBS graduate programs committee and their advisor, (3) have acceptable GRE scores and, (4) have completed a bachelor’s degree in health promotion, public health or the related social and behavioral sciences from an accredited university. MS to PhD bypass applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Health Promotion Committee.

Bypass Application Requirements:

Completed Change of Classification Form
Copy of unofficial transcript from their first year of the master’s in Health Promotion program
Copy of GRE scores
Written approval from faculty advisor
1. If MS advisor will also be PhD advisor, one letter is required
2. If switching advisor for PhD, a letter is required from each faculty member
Updated CV
Updated graduate essay stating research areas and intent for the PhD program

All documents should be merged into a single PDF and sent to Jacquee Lukawski (jacquee@udel.edu) for distribution to the Health Behavior Science and Promotion Graduate Committee.

Financial Aid

Assistantships will be available to competitive full-time students (registered in at least 6 graduate credits each semester) based on admission ranking, needs of the program, experience and expertise of the PhD student. Students will be obligated to work a minimum of 20 hours per week in an assigned position during the fall, winter session, and spring semesters.

Program Contact

Freda Patterson PhD, Program Director

fredap@udel.edu

PhD in Nutrition Science

Program Overview

Nutrition Science focuses on the physiological and biological aspects of foods and nutrients and their absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion; and seeks to identify effective strategies to improve the eating habits and dietary intake among individuals and sub-groups (e.g., older adults, children) to prevent and treat disease and improve health.

The Nutrition Science (NS) PhD curriculum provides students with the graduate-level training required to become effective scientific practitioners with the capacity to conduct independent research in nutrition and health-related outcomes, in both applied and academic settings. Students’ capacity to conduct research is developed through a combination of rigorous curriculum and active faculty mentoring, designed to bring students to the intellectual forefront of their discipline.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the NS PhD program is based on enrollment availability, the availability of faculty mentorship, and their ability to meet the following minimum entrance requirements:

1. A Master’s Degree in a related field from an accredited college or university with a GPA > 3.3 or a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA > 3.3 for the MS to PhD bypass option.

2. GRE scores within the past 5 years

3. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 600 (paper based) or a TOEFL IBT of at least 100.

4. Completion of both an advanced (≥600 level or graduate level equivalent) Macronutrient Metabolism course and an advanced (≥600 level or graduate level equivalent) Micronutrient Metabolism course, each with a grade of A- or higher, is required; a transcript from an accredited university must also be provided.

Applications (all materials) for the NS PhD Program will be reviewed on a rolling basis between January 15 and March 15 for admission to the program at the beginning of the following fall semester. Since application decisions will be made on a rolling basis within this timeframe (January 15th - March 15th), applicants are strongly advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible.

Prior Degree Requirements

A completed master’s degree in a nutrition and/or dietetics related field is required for direct admittance to the NS PhD Program.

Students enrolled in the MS in Human Nutrition within the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition at the University of Delaware, who have completed Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism, Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism, a graduate level study design course, and a graduate level statistics course, each with a grade of A- or better) may apply to the NS PhD Program after completion of their first year of study with agreement in writing from their MS advisor. If admitted, they may begin their NS PhD Program in their second year within the Department. Students applying to the MS to PhD bypass option must: (1) have exceptional performance during the first year of the Master’s program, (2) have the approval of the NS Graduate Programs Committee and their advisor, and (3) have completed a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a science/health related field from an accredited university.

Financial Aid

Assistantships are available on a competitive basis to full-time students (registered in at least 6 graduate credits each semester) based on admission ranking, needs of the program, experience and expertise of the applicant.

Program Contact

Jillian Trabulsi PhD RD, Program Director

trabulsi@udel.edu

MS in Health Promotion

Telephone: (302) 831-6681

https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/graduate-programs/health-promotion-ms/

Program Overview

The mission of the University of Delaware’s M.S. in Health Promotion Program is to prepare leaders in the diverse health promotion fields who can translate science for the comprehensive promotion of health and prevention of disease among individuals and populations across the lifespan. As a result of the program, students will be able to:

Assess individual and community need for health education and promotion
Identify health behavior theories and principles and theories as they apply to health promotion.
Implement health promotion strategies, interventions, and programs
Conduct evaluation and research related to health promotion

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. Students have the opportunity to select from the Clinical Health Coaching or Health and Disabilities concentrations or to pursue the general Health Promotion degree. Additionally, students may take electives in the following areas: aging, nutrition, social marketing and health communication, health psychology, community and worksite health, student health, health policy or program evaluation.

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 (153 V, 144 Q) within past five years.

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

A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available on a competitive basis to full-time students (registered in at least 6 graduate credits each semester) based on admission ranking, needs of the program, experience and expertise of the applicant. 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.

Program Contact

Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, PhD, Program Director

eosmith@udel.edu

MS in Human Nutrition

Telephone: (302) 831-3332

https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/graduate-programs/human-nutrition-ms/

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Human Nutrition (MSHN) program emphasizes advanced knowledge of core nutrition principles and prepares students for advanced practice, research, and leadership roles. The focus of the MSHN is nutritional science, and application of biochemistry, physiology, and biology principles to human nutrition in health and disease. Areas of emphasis include research and projects related to prevention or treatment of disease; nutrition in infancy, childhood, and aging; community nutrition; obesity; eating disorders; nutrition education; cardiovascular physiology; nutritional genomics, clinical nutrition and body composition and identifying and clarifying relationships between diet and health.

Requirements for Admission

Admission to the Master of Science in Human Nutrition (MSHN) program is based on enrollment availability, the availability of faculty mentorship, and their ability to meet the following minimum entrance requirements:

an undergraduate cumulative index (based on a 4.0 system) of 2.75 with a 3.00 average in the major field
GRE scores within the past 5 years
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 575 (paper based) or a TOEFL IBT of at least 90.

Prior Degree Requirements

Prerequisite course requirements for admission to the MSHN include:

Physiology (one course)
Inorganic chemistry (two courses, Chem 1 and Chem 2),
Organic chemistry (one course)
Biochemistry (one course)
A nutrition course at a level requiring a biochemistry prerequisite

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.

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.

Financial Aid

Program Contact

Alisha Rovner PhD, Program Director

arovner@udel.edu

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship

Telephone: (302) 831-4989

https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/graduate-programs/combined-ms-di/

Program Overview:

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program prepares students through engagement in methods, implementation and interpretation of nutrition science, and to apply and advance the field of nutrition through research, clinical, management, or community areas of practice. The program combines graduate coursework with a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised practice experience in various areas of dietetics practice. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Admissions Requirements:

Admission to the MS/DI is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths as determined by the Nutrition Graduate Programs Committee or Intern Selection Committee. Students will be admitted based on enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following entrance requirements:

Minimum of a Baccalaureate Degree
Verification of completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics or an intent to complete form, from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program
Overall GPA of 3.0 or above (based on a 4.0 system)
Verbal GRE (≥50th percentile) within past 5 years
Quantitative GRE (≥50th percentile) within past 5 years
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 600, TOEFL IBT score of at least 100
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 University of Delaware Dietetic Internship

Financial Aid:

Students may apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Program Contact:

Anja Leefeldt, MS, RDN, LDN, Dietetic Internship Director

aleef@udel.edu

Dietetic Internship Certificate Program

Telephone: (302) 831-4989

https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/graduate-programs/dietetic-internship/

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 45 dietetic interns annually. Those who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission.

Program Contact:

Anja Leefeldt, MS, RDN, LDN, Dietetic Internship Director

aleef@udel.edu

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Health Coaching

Telephone: (302) 831-8974

https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/graduate-programs/clinical-health-coaching-cert/

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical 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 (15 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 Clinical 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.

Program Contact

Michael Mackenzie, PhD, Program Director

mmackenz@udel.edu

Programs

Master’s

Doctorate

Certificate