About Hybrid Learning

The Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy offers one-year academic program designed in a low residency, hybrid format: a nine-credit-hour Hybrid Masters degree in Nutrition Science and Policy (MNSP)

This one year program involves three, 10-day intensive residencies held in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, with the remainder of the course work completed online with faculty and fellow students. Students work individually and in teams on assignments and projects in the residencies and online.

The Friedman School's world-renown faculty, intensive content and active teaching strategies are identical in both our Boston based courses and in the hybrid program. The accredited hybrid MNSP is held to the same high standards of rigor and quality as our Boston based courses and prepare students to apply for the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Ph.D. program.

Is Hybrid Program Right for Me?

Is this program, with hybrid learning right for you? The following questions may help you in making your decision:

• Can you dedicate 20-30 hours a week to learning?
• Are you a self-paced learner?
• Are you able to read and write exceptionally well in English?
• Are you able to independently problem solve, yet still know when to ask for help?
• Are you comfortable not having weekly face-to-face interaction with professors and other students? Is one of the things you value most about classroom experiences the in-class meetings once or twice a week?
• Will you have regular and reliable access to the internet with at least a 56K dial up access?
• Do you have the financial resources to complete the MNSP program (i.e. tuition, fees, books, technology, travel expenses, accommodations and meals)?
• Are you able to be away from your family and work to travel for the three, 10 days residency periods?

Benefits of the Hybrid Learning

Hybrid learning is an ideal solution for persons who wish to remain in their home cities, maintain careers and/or family responsibilities while earning their degrees.

• Friedman School Faculty Instruction  - Students in this unique program receive instruction from the same award-winning and internationally recognized faculty members as students in residence at our Boston campus. Students will work with faculty in-person throughout the three, two-week, face-to-face classroom sessions and will then continue engaging with faculty and other students on-line to continue discussions and activities and complete other course requirements.
• Location & Flexibility - The hybrid learning format affords students the ability to earn a degree without a permanent residency at the University.  Students participate in three face-to-face classroom sessions in UAE (each two weeks long).  The remainder of the coursework may be completed at the student’s home, or any location in the world by accessing the University’s learning management system (LMS). The LMS is accessible using a computer, supplied by the University for student use during the program, and an Internet connection, which students provide.
• Tufts University Degree - The Master of Nutrition Science and Policy degree is conferred by Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in Boston, Massachusetts.  Friedman School alumni are sought after and employed in a wide range of careers.

The "Successful Hybrid Learning Student" is:

• Self-disciplined, motivated and committed
• Able to learn without frequent in-person interaction
• Have strong English reading and writing skills
• Able to communicate and collaborate respectfully across all races, religions, economic statuses, and sexes
• Well organized
• An independent worker
• Problem solver
• Goal oriented
• Able to work well in groups
• Flexible
• Willing to communicate regularly with professor and other students
• Able to ask questions through email and in discussions when concepts are not clear
• Open to learning with a variety of students from different cultures, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds