Overview

The Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option provides early admission into Master of Science (MSc) in Human Nutrition (HN) degree program. By integrating advanced coursework with closely supervised research, this program expands opportunities for students by providing superior preparation for PhD studies or employment. Objectives Create the path for BSc students to pursue graduate studies, enhancing their readiness for careers in various sectors by providing advanced learning. Influence graduates to meet professional standards in the UAE and internationally, emphasizing the advantage of holding a Master's degree. Develop a culture of graduate research in human nutrition to benefit undergraduate programs. Credit Requirements Currently, DNH offers two BSc degree programs; namely, Nutritional Science, and Dietetics. Each typically requires the completion of 120 credit hours (CHs). Conventionally, after completing the BSc, students can earn MSc degree by completing an additional 32 CHs of graduate courses. For the proposed integrated Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option, outstanding senior undergraduate students will be allowed to choose up to the total of 6 CHs undergraduate electives from the 600-level Graduate Courses (Core + Electives) with double counting of such CHs towards their BSc and MSc degrees. This will allow students to obtain their MSc degree after their BSc by completing the remaining 26 CHs of graduate courses. A total of 146 CHs will be sufficient for talented students to obtain integrated BSc and MSc degrees. The double counted courses (6 CHs) will be taken from relevant MSc courses (600-level, Core and/or elective courses). This will replace two courses (6 CHs) from Supporting Elective Courses Major/Non-Major basket and based on the advice of the student’s supervisor. The Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option students will be advised on their training/internship, electives, and senior project selections so as they are oriented earlier for graduate study in their selected discipline. As an incentive, Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option students will also be allowed to earn their MSc degree by completing up to 6 CH less than the standard route. The 6-CH difference is accounted for by double counting up to two 600-level courses within the undergraduate elective requirements or two 600-level courses from the MS program. The Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option students will not pay fees for the double counted courses if their BS tuition fees are paid by the Federal Government because the courses are part of the requirements for BS degree. General Admission Requirements Minimum number of CHs to apply for the program is 75. Advanced level (Junior or Senior) BS status with a minimum of 75 CHs of the BSc program completed at a cumulative overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. Proficiency in English demonstrated by a score of 6.0 or higher in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic exam or equivalent. Acceptance of the obligation and responsibility for the graduate study fees. A statement of professional goals. When there are class limits within the graduate/MSc program in Human Nutrition, admission will be processed on a competitive basis based on the student’s GPA, and career objectives. Not more than 50% of the capacity of the MSc program will be accepted from the BSc graduates of Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option. Modes of enrollment Students enroll in full-time Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option for the completion of requirements for BS program. However, the students will be eligible for enrolling on part-time basis for the completion of requirements for MS program, with the MSc classes typically held after 5 PM. Early Admission Procedure Interested students should first check on their eligibility with the Graduate Program Coordinator, then submit application as specified by the University’s Admission office to the Department Chairperson by the announced deadline. Such an application should be simpler than the regular graduate program application, as the student information is already on file with the Registrar’s office. Once the early admission requirements are reviewed and recommended by Graduate Program Committee, they will be forwarded to the University’s Admission Office for official pre-admission by the announced university deadline for regular admission to graduate programs. Academic Advising Guidelines During the first semester, the Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option student will confer with the Graduate Program Coordinator and faculty members who correlate with his/her research interests. After potential research areas have been identified and mutually agreed to with a faculty member and the Graduate Program Committee, the designated faculty member will become the student’s academic advisor to recommend and approve his/her course schedule for the rest of the duration of the program. This academic advisor will also supervise the student’s thesis. Probation and Dismissal from the Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option Status All applicable UAEU policies and procedures regarding academic progress of students will apply as relevant for the undergraduate portion of the studies and the graduate portion. Thus, if the Bachelor-Master Accelerated Option student, for example, cannot maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) for the graduate courses taken at UAEU of 3.0 or more, he/she will be placed on probation with possible dismissal from the MS eligibility for failing to raise the GPA within the specified number of semesters.