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
| PS5301 | Fundamentals of Counseling: Basic Skills | 3 |
| TR5100 | Biostatistics | 4 |
| TR5104 | Research Methods in Health Sciences | 3 |
| TR5120 | Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients | 5 |
| TR5136 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
TR5136 is a hybrid/online course.
Winter
| BC5118 | Disease Processes 1 | 3 |
| PS5113 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
| TR5101 | Whole Foods Production | 3 |
| TR5124 | Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients | 5 |
| TR5320 | Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Spring
| BC5132 | Disease Processes 2 | 2 |
| PS5202 | Psychopathology and Biomedical Conditiions | 3 |
| PS6315 | Counseling Adults 1: Assessment and Treatment | 3 |
| TR5321 | Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 2 | 5 |
| TR5803 | Nutrition Clinic Entry | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Year II
Fall
| PS5110 | Fundamentals of Counseling: Group Dynamics | 3 |
| PS7801 | Clinic Shift 1: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology | 2 |
| PS6310 | Nutrition and Pharmacology in Mental Health | 3 |
| TR5115 | Food Science | 5 |
| TR6111 | Contemporary Nutrition: Global and Ecological Issues | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Winter
| PS5115 | Fundamentals of Counseling: Systems, Families, Couples | 4 |
| PS6105 | Diversity and Multicultural Issues in Health Psychology | 3 |
| PS7802 | Clinic Shift 2: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology | 2 |
| TR6100 | Nutritional Supplementation | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Spring
| PS6130 | Psychological Testing | 3 |
| PS6323 | Assessment and Treatment of Children/Adolescents in Health Psych | 3 |
| PS7105 | Alcohol and Substance Abuse | 2 |
| PS7803 | Clinic Shift 3: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology | 2 |
| TR5141 | Advanced Nutrition: Bioactive Compounds, Nutrigenomics and Microbiome | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Year III
Fall
| PS6317 | Counseling Adults 2: Assessment and Treatment | 3 |
| PS7101 | Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychology | 3 |
| PS7805 | MSN/CHP Practicum 1 | 2 |
| PS7811 | Practicum Seminar 1: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Winter
| PS6207 | Counseling for Eating Disorders | 2 |
| PS7115 | Developing and Evaluating Counseling Programs | 3 |
| PS7806 | MSN/CHP Practicum 2 | 2 |
| PS7812 | Practicum Seminar 2: Nutrition/Clinical Health Psychology | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Spring
| PS7103 | Mind-Body Techniques for Stress Reduction | 3 |
| PS7129 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| PS7807 | MSN/CHP Practicum 3 | 2 |
| PS7813 | Practicum 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.