Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition

Background:
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination against applicants for admission to education programs on the basis of disability and require “reasonable accommodation” for “qualified” persons. Qualified persons are those who meet the eligibility requirements of the academic program, i.e. passing scores on admission tests, completion of prerequisite courses and ability to perform the academic and nonacademic standards of the education program with or without a reasonable accommodation. The Nonacademic Technical Standards include those physical, cognitive and behavioral standards that are required for the satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum and the development of professional attributes required by all students at graduation.

If a person is accepted into the Dietetics & Nutrition MS program, he/she will be asked to state if the Nonacademic Technical Standards can be met with or without accommodation. It is the accepted student’s responsibility to notify the Admissions Committee if there is any reason why the accepted student cannot meet the Nonacademic Technical Standards for the Dietetics & Nutrition MS degree with or without accommodation. The acknowledgement of need for accommodation to meet the Nonacademic Technical Standards will be reviewed by the department Admissions Committee and the KUMC Equal Opportunity/Disability Specialist. The Equal Opportunity/Disability Specialist will request documentation of the disability and will review the accepted student’s ability to meet the Nonacademic Technical Standards with the provision of reasonable accommodation. If you have questions, you may contact Carol Wagner, Equal Opportunity/Disability Specialist, Equal Opportunity Office, KU Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160 (Phone: 913-588-7813 or TDD: 913-588-7963).

Our philosophy:
The Department of Dietetics & Nutrition and the University of Kansas Medical Center have a commitment to nondiscrimination, access and reasonable accommodation. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Requirements for Students in KU's MS in Dietetics & Nutrition:
The MS degree prepares students to practice dietetics and nutrition and to interpret and participate in research in nutrition within academic and healthcare organizations. The graduates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad range of activities. Therefore, all students who are admitted into the MS degree program in Dietetics & Nutrition must meet the following abilities and expectations:

Observational Abilities:
(Necessitates the functional use of vision and hearing.)

The admitted student must be able to:
• Observe, learn from and analyze class demonstrations and experiences in disciplines relevant to dietetics and nutrition that include but are not limited to biochemistry, physiology, statistics and research methodology.
• Read and comprehend text, numbers and graphs.

Communication Abilities:
(Includes hearing, speech, reading and writing.)

The admitted student must be able to:
• Communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with students, faculty, scientists, health providers and clients.
• Understand lectures and readings.
• Read and comprehend technical and professional materials.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Independently prepare papers and take examinations.
• Present lectures and research results verbally and in writing.
• Use the computer in coursework and in communication with faculty and administration.

Motor Capabilities:

The admitted student must be able to:
• Travel to sites involved in coursework.
• Travel within the university to sites such as the library, classrooms, etc.
• Use a computer.
• Prepare assignments
• Make public presentations

Intellectual Abilities:

The admitted student must be able to:
• Understand and perform measurements, calculations, synthesis, analysis, reasoning and problem solving.
• Participate in research.

Behavioral and Social Skills:

The admitted student must have:
• The emotional health required to fully utilize intellectual abilities, to exercise good judgment, to act ethically and to complete projects in a timely manner.
• Self-motivation.
• Appropriate, sensitive and effective relationships with clients, faculty, members of health team and/or research collaborators and other diverse groups.
• Attention to detail and flexibility to function in a research setting.
• Reliability.
• Ability to adapt to the fast pace of change in the medical sciences.