Graduateprograms.com Announces Winthrop in the Top 10 Nutrition Science Graduate Programs
June 9, 2014
ROCK HILL, SC – Winthrop University nutrition graduate students rated their university work among the top in the country, according to graduateprograms.com.
The online site recently announced its spring 2014 rankings of top graduate programs according to students, based solely on ratings and reviews from current or recent graduate students posted on graduateprograms.com. Winthrop ranked eighth on the list for nutrition science programs. The only other S.C. institution in the top 25 was Clemson University.
The rankings came from data gathered between Sept. 1, 2012 and April 15, 2014, and encompass reviews posted by more than 60,000 students participating in more than 1,500 graduate programs nationwide. Ratings are based on a 10 star system (with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best).
The online site assigned 15 ranking categories to each graduate program at each graduate school. Rankings cover a variety of student topics such as academic competitiveness, career support, financial aid and quality of network.
Winthrop officials were pleased to see the program recognized nationally. “We are extremely proud of the students and faculty who work so hard to make our MS in Human Nutrition successful,” said Jack DeRochi, dean of the Graduate School. “Each year, graduating students go out of their way to tell me how rewarding this program is – how devoted the faculty are to each other’s success, and how prepared the students are for their future careers.”
Winthrop has offered food and nutrition courses since 1917. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy; formerly known as the American Dietetic Association/ADA), a national organization of more than 66,000 dietitians and nutritionists committed to improving the health and nutrition status of Americans, has been responsible for educational programs in dietetics since the 1940s, and Winthrop’s programs have been approved or accredited by the organization since that time.
The Department of Human Nutrition currently offers a post-graduate dietetic internship and a Master of Science degree program in human nutrition. The department also offers a Bachelor of Science in human nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics. Both the post-baccalaureate dietetic internship and the B.S. degree program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy.
The M.S. degree program provides advanced study in human nutrition for students interested in professional advancement and/or doctoral level studies. The program is designed to foster critical thinking and inquiry, and prepares graduates to formulate research questions and evaluate research study results.
The dietetic internship combines theoretical and practical experiences so they can excel in such areas of dietetics as medical nutrition therapy, public/community health nutrition, corporate wellness programs, sports nutrition and school food service.
Graduate student Tyler Wallace Harding said she has been very pleased with the human nutrition department at Winthrop since she began the Master of Science degree program last summer. “The support provided to students exceeded my expectations,” she said. “Faculty encourages critical thinking and applies diverse experience in nutrition practice to classroom learning. As a second career student, I especially appreciate the focus on real-world application and science-based practice which I will carry directly into my dietetics profession.”
The Top 10 Nutritional Science Programs are listed below:
1. Northeastern University
2. Kent State University-Main Campus
3. Georgia Health Sciences University
4. Baylor University
5. Syracuse University
6. South Dakota State University
7. University of Bridgeport
8. Winthrop University
9. University of Connecticut
10. Columbia University
For the remaining list of top 25, click here.
For more information about Winthrop’s human nutrition graduate program or other graduate school offerings, please visitwww.winthrop.edu/graduateschool or call 803/323-2204.
