Program Overview

Overview of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Program

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program at Virginia Tech is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of dietetics. The program is offered through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and is available on the Blacksburg campus.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum GPA:
  • Track 1: undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for the equivalent of the last two years of undergraduate study.
  • Track 2: Must be a current Virginia Tech HNFE Nutrition and Dietetics major student with junior status and a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 at the time of application.
• TOEFL IBT: 90
  • TOEFL reading sub-score: 20
  • TOEFL listening sub-score: 20
  • TOEFL speaking sub-score: 20
  • TOEFL writing sub-score: 20
• IELTS (TOEFL alternative): 6.5
• Letter(s) of recommendation: 2 required (no more than two can be submitted)
  • One from a work or volunteer supervisor
  • One from an instructor or professor familiar with your academic performance; letters should discuss your academic and work-related strengths.
• Required supplemental materials:
  • Resume (limited to two pages) listing relevant experiences related to the field of dietetics.
  • Personal statement addressing seven key questions:
    • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
    • Why are you specifically interested in the MSND program at Virginia Tech?
    • How have your prior work and/or volunteer experiences prepared you for a career in dietetics?
    • Describe any unique challenge(s) that required resiliency and fueled your professional and/or personal growth.
    • What are your short- and long-term career goals related to being a dietitian?
    • Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement and how those would impact your ability to be successful in the program, including fulfillment of graduate-level expectations?
    • Why do you believe that constructive feedback is important in the preparation of future healthcare professionals?
  • Additional forms depending on the track applied for.

Admission Terms and Deadlines

• Admission terms: Fall, Spring
• Admission application deadlines:
  • Track 1: Jan 15 for Fall; Oct 15 for Spring
  • Track 2: Jan 15 for Fall

Program Requirements

• Minimum total credit hours required for the degree: 51
• Total minimum credit hour requirement of graded graduate-level courses: 51
• Degree options: Non-thesis course work and supervised experiential learning

Core Courses

• HNFE 5125G Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 credits)
• HNFE 5126G Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 credits)
• HNFE 5154 Research Methods in Nutrition and Physical Activity (3 credits)
• HNFE 5314 Business of Dietetics and Healthcare (3 credits)
• HNFE 5034: Foundations in Nutrition Counseling and Communication (2 credits)
• HNFE 5344 Nutrition Counseling for Behavior Change (3 credits)
• HNFE 5354 Food for Optimal Health (3 credits)
• HNFE 5334 Clinical Nutrition Care Applications (2 credits)
• HNFE 5304 Principles of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice (2 credits)
• HNFE 5394 Professional Practice in Nutrition and Dietetics (1 credit)
• Science elective (3 credits)
• Choice elective (3 credits)
• Independent Study (1 credit)

Elective Courses

Minimum of a science-based elective and a choice (general) elective.

Other Requirements

• Supervised Practice Rotations:
  • HNFE 5704 – Dietetics and Professional Management Supervised Practice (2 credits)
  • HNFE 5714 – Community Nutrition Supervised Practice (4 credits)
  • HNFE 5724 – Foodservice Management Supervised Practice (3 credits)
  • HNFE 5734 – Clinical Nutrition Supervised Practice (10 credits)
• In order to earn a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics diploma, students must:
  • complete all courses with a grade of “B-” or higher;
  • receive a passing grade for all Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) rotations (HNFE 5704, 5714, 5724, 5734).