Master of Science in Nutrition and Clinical Health Psychology

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Clinical Health Psychology (MSN/CHP) was developed to respond to the need for an integrated program that provides opportunities to ultimately obtain licensure as a mental health counselor and to practice as a certified nutritionist within that scope of practice specified in the state of Washington. Students planning to practice in other states will need to determine whether the program meets the requirements for licensure in that state, as state scope of practice and licensing requirements vary. Prospective and current students should contact the states in which they wish to practice by referencing the University's listing of professional programs and state licensing/certification agencies for their programs at Professional Licensing/Certification Agencies by State or District

This three-year graduate program provides interdisciplinary education in nutrition and clinical health psychology for students who want a fully integrated mind-body approach to human health.

 Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate a solid theoretical foundation in counseling and health psychology.
  • provide culturally appropriate nutrition and mental health assessment and individualized intervention strategies.
  • effectively utilize a breadth of counseling and health behavior change skills for individuals and groups.
  • develop the capacity for receiving and integrating feedback, ongoing self-reflection, continuous professional learning and self-care.
  • display ethical and professional behaviors in all aspects of counseling practice, case management and interdisciplinary collaboration of care.

Admissions

For general information on the admissions process, refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. Information below refers only to the MSN/CHP program.

Prerequisites

Entering students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate degree. Priority consideration will be given to applicants with a 3.0 GPA in nutrition prerequisites, a 3.25 cumulative GPA in all prerequisites and a 3.25 cumulative GPA in science prerequisites, with a B or better in Human Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology. Exceptional candidates who do not meet these priority standards will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Human Physiology (upper level)1 1 course
Chemistry (science-major level) 2 courses
Organic Chemistry (science-major level)2  1 course
Biochemistry3 1 course
Introductory Nutrition4 1 course
Abnormal Psychology 1 course
Developmental Psychology 1 course
College Algebra or Statistics 1 course
Microbiology 1 course

1A full anatomy and physiology series will meet the physiology prerequisite requirements.

2A minimum of one chemistry course must include an in-person lab

3The biochemistry course must be upper-level and must cover intermediary metabolism.

4The nutrition course must include macro- and micronutrients, lifecycle, and physical activity.

Note: Science and psychology courses must have been taken within seven years of program start.

Admission to Clinical Training

In order to enroll in the Clinic Shift series, students must have successfully completed all prerequisites, based on the clinic track outlined below and under course descriptions for Clinic Nutrition Practicum, and must have met the criteria for professional behavior and attitudes. Students are also required to pass a national criminal background check (see "Felony Disclosure and Background Checks" in the Academic Policy and Procedure Manual for more information) and must show proof of completion of the clinic entry checklist prior to the first scheduled clinic shift.

Graduation Requirements

MSN/CHP students must complete a minimum of 118 credits and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA with a minimum of 79 credits in residence. MSN/CHP students must complete their degree within six years following matriculation into the program. A graduation requirement of the MSN/CHP program is that students must complete 600 hours of supervised counseling (including hours in counseling classes at BCNH and its satellites and external practicum sites), of which 100 hours need to be in nutrition counseling.

In addition to the didactic and clinical experience, MSN/CHP students are required to complete 10 hours of individual counseling or therapy sessions during the first year of the program and before their first counseling shift at BCNH. Documentation of these hours is required.

Exit Exam

Successful completion of a clinical competency exit examination is a requirement for students in the third year of the MSN/CHP. This examination tests the minimal knowledge and skills required to perform nutritional and mental health counseling with diverse clients. The examination does not cover the whole curriculum and cannot substitute for any part of regular course requirements. Students are eligible to take the exit exam if they are in good academic standing, have completed or are concurrently registered for all required (non-elective) courses by the end of the term in which the exam is scheduled, and are making satisfactory progress in the practicum.

Expected Competencies

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate coursework. Bastyr graduates are qualified to provide exceptional counseling services to individuals and institutions and contribute positively to the nutritional and mental health education of the community.

Students are expected to stay on track with the counseling curriculum. Students who wish to go off track must have permission from the director of clinical training.

The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.

Year I

Fall

PS5301Fundamentals of Counseling: Basic Skills

3

TR5100Biostatistics

4

TR5104Research Methods in Health Sciences

3

TR5120Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients

5

TR5136Nutrition in the Life Cycle

3

Total Credit Hours:18

TR5136 is a hybrid/online course.

Winter

BC5118Disease Processes 1

3

PS5113Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

3

TR5101Whole Foods Production

3

TR5124Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients

5

TR5320Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 1

5

Total Credit Hours:19

Spring

BC5132Disease Processes 2

2

PS5202Psychopathology and Biomedical Conditiions

3

PS6315Counseling Adults 1: Assessment and Treatment

3

TR5321Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 2

5

TR5803Nutrition Clinic Entry

1

Total Credit Hours:14

Year II

Fall

PS5110Fundamentals of Counseling: Group Dynamics

3

PS7801Clinic Shift 1: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology

2

PS6310Nutrition and Pharmacology in Mental Health

3

TR5115Food Science

5

TR6111Contemporary Nutrition: Global and Ecological Issues

2

Total Credit Hours:15

Winter

PS5115Fundamentals of Counseling: Systems, Families, Couples

4

PS6105Diversity and Multicultural Issues in Health Psychology

3

PS7802Clinic Shift 2: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology

2

TR6100Nutritional Supplementation

4

Total Credit Hours:13

Spring

PS6130Psychological Testing

3

PS6323Assessment and Treatment of Children/Adolescents in Health Psych

3

PS7105Alcohol and Substance Abuse

2

PS7803Clinic Shift 3: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology

2

TR5141Advanced Nutrition: Bioactive Compounds, Nutrigenomics and Microbiome

3

Total Credit Hours:13

Year III

Fall

PS6317Counseling Adults 2: Assessment and Treatment

3

PS7101Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychology

3

PS7805MSN/CHP Practicum 1

2

PS7811Practicum Seminar 1: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology

1

Total Credit Hours:9

Winter

PS6207Counseling for Eating Disorders

2

PS7115Developing and Evaluating Counseling Programs

3

PS7806MSN/CHP Practicum 2

2

PS7812Practicum Seminar 2: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology

1

Total Credit Hours:8

Spring

PS7103Mind-Body Techniques for Stress Reduction

3

PS7129Career Counseling

3

PS7807MSN/CHP Practicum 3

2

PS7813Practicum Seminar 3: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology

1

Clinical Competency Exam

0

Total Credit Hours:9

Total Requirements

Total Core Course Credits 103
Clinic/Practicum Totals 15
Total Requirements 118

Curriculum and course changes in the 2018-2019 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2018-2019 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.