Western Region Graduate Program
Public Health - Nutrition, Master of Public Health
This program prepares you for professional practice in public health and applied research settings as well as further academic study in public health related fields. Through quality classroom instruction, applied practice experience, and a public health project, students will be adequately prepared for employment within public health agencies.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
- All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
Read the full policy here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
Minimum Units for Completion | 65 |
Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
Research | Individualized research is required. |
Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose Statement
The Master of Public Health prepares students for public health professions emphasizing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health programs and policies. We aim to prepare public health professionals to address the health needs of diverse and underserved communities in northern Arizona and beyond. Students gain knowledge and skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health research, program planning and evaluation, health policy and management, and environmental health. We support student development by offering high-quality instruction, which includes opportunities for professional growth and community engagement in public health and nutrition.The Nutrition concentration emphasizes public health nutrition, culinary arts, food service management, and clinical nutrition. The Nutrition concentration is designed for students who are interested in careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. With the training, research, and internship experiences offered, graduates are well-prepared to address the health needs within their communities.
Student Learning Outcomes
We are pursuing accreditation from the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH). We are aligning our core MPH coursework with their required learning outcomes, which are as follows:
- Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
- Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate.
- Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice.
- Compare the organization, structure, and function of healthcare, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
- Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and systemic levels.
- Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities’ health.
- Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
- Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention.
- Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
- Select methods to evaluate public health programs.
- Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
- Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
- Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
- Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
- Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue.
- Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
- Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
- Communicate audience-appropriate (i.e., non-academic, non-peer audience) public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation
- Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.
- Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health.
- Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than a standard narrative.
Competencies
- “Resource management” refers to stewardship (planning, monitoring, etc.) of resources throughout a project, not simply preparing a budget statement that projects what resources will be required.
- This competency refers to technical aspects of how public policies are created and adopted, including legislative and/or regulatory roles and processes, ethics in public policy-making, and the role of evidence in creating policy.
- This competency refers to the ability to influence policy and/or decision-making, such as through stakeholder mobilization, educating policymakers, etc. The ability to argue in support of (or in opposition to) a position, as in a standard debate, is not sufficient. Students must produce a product that would be part of an advocacy campaign or effort (e.g., legislative testimony, fact sheets, advocacy strategy outline, etc.).
- Such principles may include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision-making.
- “Negotiation and mediation,” in this competency, refers to the set of skills needed when a common solution is required among parties with conflicting interests and/or different desired outcomes. Such skills extend beyond the level of negotiation required in a successful intra-group process; effective communication within a work group or team is more closely related to competency.
- This competency requires direct engagement (in-person or online) between the student and an individual or individuals in a profession or sector other than public health; students must combine the external sector/profession’s perspective and/or knowledge with their own public health training to complete a task, solve a problem, etc.. Role-playing, in which public health students assume the identity of an individual from another profession or sector to which they do not already belong, is not an acceptable substitute for actual engagement with an individual or individuals from a profession or sector outside of public health.
- Systems thinking tools depict or map complex relationships, demonstrating, for example, how component parts of a system interact with and influence one another. Examples include causal loop diagrams, systems archetypes, network analyses, and concept maps. Logic models and evidence tables are not sufficient to address this competency.
Details Accordion Closed
Graduate Admission Information
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Additional Admission Requirements
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- Prerequisite courses complete with a Grade of "C" or better, or in progress at the time of application to the program:
- One semester of general chemistry (minimum 3 units)
- One semester of organic chemistry (minimum 3 units)
- (Note: Labs for the two chemistry courses are not required unless necessary to advance from general to organic chemistry at the institution where you are taking the pre-requisite courses.)
- One semester of anatomy and physiology (minimum 3 units)
- One semester of microbiology (minimum 3 units)
- One semester of an introductory nutrition course (minimum 3 units)
- One semester course in food safety and sanitation (minimum 3 units) or proof of a current ServSafe® certification.*
- One semester of an introductory or basic statistics course (minimum 3 units)
- One semester of biochemistry (minimum 3 units) is not a pre-requisite for admission but is a pre-requisite to take NTS 550, which is a required course in the program. Therefore, students must complete a biochemistry course prior to the start of their first spring semester.
Students who have not completed all pre-requisite courses prior to submitting their application will still be considered for the program as long as no more than 2 pre-requisite courses are outstanding prior to the application deadline, and the student can demonstrate proof of enrollment in the remaining pre-requisite courses in their application (a screenshot demonstrating course enrollment is sufficient). Students with outstanding pre-requisite courses must demonstrate that they completed those courses with a C or better prior to the start of the program. Students will be dropped from the program if pre-requisite courses are not complete, or if a C or better was not earned prior to the start of the program. Pre-requisite courses completed more than 10 years prior to the application deadline may need to be retaken.
*The ServSafe® course and certification can be taken and submitted with your application in place of completing a college-level food safety and sanitation course.- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Personal Statement. Write a one- to two-page letter of personal introduction and professional intent. Include the following information in your personal statement and submit your personal statement in your NAU Graduate College application:
- The concentration to which you are applying.
- Your academic focus or interest areas in health and wellness.
- Your professional goals and how the MPH Nutrition program at NAU aligns with these goals.
- Identification as someone from a diverse or historically underrepresented group (if applicable).
- Experience working with others from a diverse or historically underrepresented group (if applicable).
- Letters of Recommendation. Applicants need three professional references who will submit recommendation forms on the NAU Graduate College application portal on their behalf.
- At least one reference should be a faculty member.
- At least one reference should be a supervisor or manager.
- The third reference can be either a supervisor/manager or a faculty member. (Applicants are encouraged to request letters of recommendation from faculty and supervisors at least 3 - 4 weeks prior to the application deadline).
- Must also complete the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application System (DICAS) Application.
- Supplemental Application Materials (only if applicable). If applicable, please include the following documentation in your NAU Graduate College application:
- If you are enrolled in a pre-requisite course the same semester you apply, please include evidence of enrollment in final pre-requisite courses.
- If you opted to complete the ServSafe® exam in place of a college-level food safety and sanitation course, please upload your ServSafe® certification.
- International applicants: Applications submitted after January 15 will not be evaluated for admission, please apply to the next available admission term.
- Prerequisite courses complete with a Grade of "C" or better, or in progress at the time of application to the program:
Master's Requirements
This Master’s degree requires 65 units distributed as follows:
- Health Sciences Common Coursework: 27 units
- Nutrition Common Coursework: 26 units
- Supervised Practice Experience: 12 units
Take the following 65 units:
Health Sciences Common Coursework (27 units)
- Nutrition Common Coursework (26 units)
Supervised Practice (12 units)
- NTS 696 (12 units)
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
- Public Health - Health Promotion, MPH
- Public Health, Graduate Certificate
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
- Program Fee Information
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $435 per semester has been approved for this program.
About Accordion Closed
Mission and Vision Accordion Closed
Mission
The mission of the NAU Master of Public Health Nutrition program is to prepare graduates, through learner-centered educational strategies, research, and public service, to practice as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who support the advancement of population health and the prevention of disease for diverse, underserved communities. To train a highly qualified public health workforce through teaching, community service and scholarship to improve public health through practices, policy changes, leadership and management work, and creative interventions in Arizona with a focus on rural, tribal, and border communities.Vision
To improve health, well-being and quality of life in Arizona with a focus on rural, tribal, and border communities.Program Goals Accordion Closed
Careers in Dietetics Accordion Closed
- Completing an ACEND-accredited undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics, followed by a graduate-level ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program;
- Completing an ACEND-accredited coordinated program with didactic coursework and the dietetic internship combined into one program at the undergraduate level;
- Completing an ACEND-accredited coordinated program with the didactic coursework and dietetic internship combined into one program at the graduate level.*
Admission Requirements Accordion Closed
Baccalaureate Degree
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university, or its international equivalent with a 3.0 GPA or better in any subject. Students who earned a degree in nutrition/dietetics and have received a verification statement are eligible to apply, as are students who earned a degree in any other subject, as long as they have completed the required pre-requisite courses prior to admission.Required Pre-requisite Courses
Prior to applying please complete the following pre-requisite courses:- 1 semester of an introductory or basic statistics course
- 1 semester of general chemistry
- 1 semester of organic chemistry (Note: Labs for the two chemistry courses are not required unless necessary to advance from general to organic chemistry at the institution where you are taking the pre-requisite courses.)
- 1 semester of anatomy and physiology
- 1 semester of microbiology
- 1 semester of an introductory nutrition course (minimum 3 units)
- 1 semester course in food safety and sanitation or proof of a current ServSafe® certification.*
Course Plan Accordion Closed
Application Accordion Closed
- Applicants must submit application materials in the following two places prior to the January 15th deadline:
- Application Fee. Applicants must pay the following application fees for both application systems:
- NAU Graduate College application: $65
- DICAS application: $50 to apply to one program + $25 for each additional program you apply to on DICAS
- Resume or Vita. Include your resume or vita in both your DICAS and NAU Graduate College applications:
- Personal Statement. Please write a one to two page letter of personal introduction and professional intent. Include the following information in your personal statement and submit your personal statement in both your DICAS and NAU Graduate College applications:
- The concentration to which you are applying
- Your academic focus or interest areas in health and wellness
- Your professional goals and how the MPH Nutrition program at NAU aligns with these goals
- Identification as someone from a diverse or historically underrepresented group* (if applicable)
- Experience working with others from a diverse or historically underrepresented group* (if applicable)
- Supplemental Question. In addition to the personal statement above, please answer the following supplemental question in ONLY your DICAS application:
- Transcripts. Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended that contributed to the baccalaureate degree as well as transcripts documenting completion of the pre-requisite courses (see Admission Requirements above). Please submit transcripts in your NAU Graduate College application and to DICAS.
- Supplemental Application Materials (only if applicable). If applicable, please include the following documentation in your DICAS application and with your NAU Graduate College application:
- If you are enrolled in a pre-requisite course the same semester you apply, please include evidence of enrollment in final pre-requisite courses.
- If you opted to complete the ServSafe® exam in place of a college-level food safety and sanitation course, please upload your ServSafe® certification.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The Graduate Record Examination is NOT required and is NOT used to evaluate applicants.
- Letters of Recommendation. Applicants need three professional references who will submit recommendation forms on the NAU Graduate College application portal and DICAS on their behalf. At least one reference should be a faculty member. At least one reference should be a supervisor or manager. The third reference can be either a supervisor/manager or a faculty member. (Applicants are encouraged to request letters of recommendation from faculty and supervisors at least 3-4 weeks prior to the application deadline.)
- International applicants: Applications submitted after January 15 will not be evaluated for admission, please apply to the next available admission term.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)Scores are sent directly to NAU from ETS NAU’s Institutional Code is 4006.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)Scores are sent directly to NAU from IELTS. The address to send IELTS scores is:
- If you are a native speaker of English. Native speakers are considered applicants who are from and have completed a high school or university education at an institution in an English-speaking country. List of English speaking countries can be found at https://nau.edu/cie/education-abroad/programs/english-speaking-countries/
- If you have earned a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. university or college.
- Diversity refers to the complexity of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences and intersections of culture and circumstance. Such differences and intersections include race, sex, ethnicity, age, religion, language, ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic, veteran or other status, or geographic region.
- Historically underrepresented groups (HUG) refers to those diverse groups, identities, and communities that historically are underrepresented, underserved, or marginalized at institutions of higher education.
Tuition and Fees Accordion Closed
Program Cost
Tuition
Up-to-date tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses for all NAU graduate programs can be found here: https://nau.edu/admissions/tuition-and-cost/tuition-expenses/.Financial Aid
The NAU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid can help students apply for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Visit https://nau.edu/office-of-scholarships-and-financial-aid/ for more information. Scholarships, fellowships and awards may also be available. Visit the Graduate College website and hover over Resources in the navigation bar for more information. Graduate assistantships are sometimes available within the department, depending on available research funding. The MPH Director will send a survey to applicants to gage interest in department assistantships following the program application deadline. Students who complete the survey will be contacted if awarded a Health Sciences Department Graduate Assistantship. College level assistantships are also available. Visit https://nau.edu/graduate-college/graduate-assistantships-tuition-waivers/ for more information about current assistantship openings. If you live in Western states you may qualify for the WRGP program which allows you to pay in-state tuition. Visit the WRGP website for qualifying state residence: https://nau.edu/health-sciences/wrgp-program.Supervised Experiential Learning Accordion Closed
Possible supervised experiential learning placements include:
Clinical Nutrition
- Flagstaff Medical Center
- Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Arizona
- Verde Valley Medical Center
- Tuba City Regional Health Care
- Whiteriver Indian Hospital
- Kingman Regional Medical Center
Foodservice Management
- Flagstaff Medical Center
- NAU Campus Dining (Sodexho)
- Peaks Senior Living
- Rehab Hospital of Northern Arizona
- Verde Valley Hospital
- Flagstaff Unified School District
- Flagstaff Family Food Center
- The Guidance Center
- Kingman Regional Medical Center
Public Health Nutrition
- Coconino County Public Health, Women Infant and Children
- Flagstaff Family Food Center
- Pinnacle Prevention
- Northern Arizona Healthcare Employee Wellness
- Northern Arizona Public Employees Benefit Trust (NAPEBT) Wellness Program
- Inspire
- Tuba City Regional Healthcare
- Native Americans for Community Action
- Evolve Nutrition
- North Country Health Care
Integrated Learning Experience Accordion Closed
Each student completes a graduate project, the Integrated Learning Experience, that aligns with their chosen public health concentration. As part of the first year MPH coursework, students learn how to write a project proposal and learn methods to support their ability to plan a project. Students identify a public health agency and the Integrated Learning Experience is planned out to benefit or support an agency. MPH students should coordinate with a public health agency and develop a project that benefits the agency. Students will also have a faculty member mentor from the Department of Health Sciences. Students can develop their own Integrated Learning Experience project and propose the project to an agency and faculty member with similar interests. The final project is submitted in the Spring semester Graduate Seminar class in the form of a submitted written product and an MPH Conference presentation.