Program Overview

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Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics: 40-Credit Clinical Nutrition

The 40-credit Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with a Concentration in Clinical Nutrition offers advanced training for students seeking to attain the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential.

Official Degree Title

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with a Concentration in Clinical Nutrition

Licensure or Certification

This degree provides the opportunity for students to meet the registration eligibility requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) passing this exam enables students to become a Registered Dietitian.

Format

Full-time or Part-time

Credits

40

Start Date

• Spring: Application Deadline is October 1
• Fall: Application Deadline is January 15

Degree Goals

The goals of the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics with a Concentration in Clinical Nutrition are to provide students with the knowledge and skills to:

1. Educate individuals and the public on food choices that will optimize health and prevent disease
2. Apply nutrition principles and diet assessment to the treatment of diet-related disease conditions
3. Manage human, financial, and physical resources to improve the nutritional care of individuals and population groups
4. Help improve the nutritional status of individuals and population groups
5. Monitor trends and issues in the discipline of nutrition, and translate this information into curriculum, education, and training programs
6. Apply research principles and methods to the examination of current problems in nutrition and health

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

To become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, students must complete an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Students who have already completed the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited program and obtained a DPD Verification Statement may begin taking graduate-level courses upon acceptance to this degree.

Careers and Outcomes

Graduates are currently employed in a variety of positions, including:

• Clinical dietitians or managers of nutrition programs in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities
• Members of clinical specialty teams in pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine, infectious-disease surgery, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and critical care services
• Counselors of patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and hypertension
• Community nutritionists in government or private programs
• Private nutrition consultants to the general public, health care agencies, weight management programs, government agencies, and the food industry
• Staff members of health departments, federal agencies such as the USDA, National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration
• Nutrition teachers in schools, colleges, universities, and health programs
• Project officers of philanthropic foundations
• Roles that focus on nutrition education, media, and communications of food, nutrition, and health

Program Benefits for International Students

International students may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in this program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing them to extend their time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years.

Curriculum

The curriculum provides advanced academic training leading to a master's degree for students who also seek the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.

Additional Information

Students who have not yet obtained a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement must complete the foundational DPD courses in nutrition and dietetics, which meet both prerequisite requirements to study at the master's level and eligibility requirements for applying to ACEND-accredited dietetic internships. Students do not need to complete a DPD before applying to the 40-credit clinical nutrition master's degree.