M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition for Pre-Professionals

老澳门六合彩开奖记录 Graduate Program (GP) in Nutrition and Dietetics

Welcome to the 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 Master of Science (M.S.) in Dietetics and Nutrition program. (Note: if you are a RDN interested in obtaining a Dietetics and Nutrition Master's degree, please visit the M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition for RDNs page.)

The M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition program provides the education requirements for entry-level practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) for applicants who have a minimum of a bachelor鈥檚 degree and a DPD verification statement (or the required prerequisite coursework) from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition is a Graduate Program (Future Education Model) that integrates the required coursework with supervised experiential learning (SEL) in one accredited program. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the CDR registration exam for dietitians. The 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition includes 1,000 hours of SEL integrated throughout the two-year (full-time) program. The 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 GP is accredited by ACEND.

Alternatively, the program provides additional study in dietetics and nutrition for Registered Dietitians (RDs)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) currently registered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. This is a didactic only track.

The M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition is an online program for the required classes. The supervised experiential learning rotations are based in Alaska and may be scheduled in other states. Please schedule a meeting with the program director to discuss other possible locations of interest.  Reliable computer and internet access are required. Some online classes have required meeting times. For more information about the technology that is needed to participate in the online program see the Online Class Requirements.

  • Program Description, Mission, Goals and Objectives

    The 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 Graduate Program (GP) in Nutrition and Dietetics prepares students for entry-level nutrition and dietetics practice in current and future practice settings. Students in the program complete both the didactic and the supervised experiential learning requirements, in a cohort model, with a program length of two academic years, full-time (fall and spring for two years, plus one summer). Classes are online and students complete supervised experiential learning rotations for 16-20 hours per week, as arranged by the program director, at locations throughout Alaska, and other states upon approval. Applicants may discuss part-time options with the program director.

    Possible rotation sites in Alaska include, but are not limited to:  Alaska Native Medical Center, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, JBER Hospital, MatSu Regional Medical Center, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Bartlett Regional Hospital (Juneau), Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center, VA Clinic (Anchorage), Southcentral Foundation (Anchorage), WIC program, Tanana Valley Clinic Diabetes and Nutrition Program (Fairbanks), State of Alaska, Norton Sound Regional Corporation, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (Sitka, Juneau) and PeaceHealth Hospital (Ketchikan).

    老澳门六合彩开奖记录 GP Mission Statement (Updated July 1, 2024):  To provide the advanced knowledge and skills in nutrition and dietetics to successfully prepare graduates for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists in the state of Alaska and nationwide.

    Program Goal 1. Graduates will be competent for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs).

    Objectives:

    1. Program Completion: At least 80% of program students complete the program requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
    2. Graduate Employment: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
    3. Graduate Performance on Registration Exam: At least 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
    4. Graduate Performance on Registration Exam: The program鈥檚 one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

    Program Goal 2. Graduates will be prepared for dietetics practice in diverse settings.

    Objectives:

    1. Program Specific: At least 80% of alumni who respond to a survey will indicate they felt at least 鈥渃ompetent鈥 for entry-level practice as a RDN in their first dietetics-related position.
    2. Employer Satisfaction: At least 80% of employers who respond to a survey will rate their satisfaction level as satisfied or highly satisfied with the preparation of program graduates.


    Program outcomes data are available upon request.

  • Requirements and Process to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

    Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement for eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians changed to a graduate degree.  According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, 鈥淓levating the entry-level RD education to a graduate level is consistent with the knowledge, skills, and research base required in the field of nutrition and dietetics.鈥  For more information about this requirement, visit .

    The current requirements for becoming an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist include:

    • Complete a minimum of a graduate degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.     
    • Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
    • Passed a national examination administered by CDR. For more information regarding the examination, refer to .
    • Obtain state licensure through an application process (in most states, including Alaska).  For more information about state licensure requirements, visit . While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: .
  • Distance Education

    The 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 DN graduate program is an online program. Some of the classes do have scheduled meeting times which will be published in the course schedule and available at the time of course registration.

    Supervised experiential learning (SEL) rotations are scheduled primarily in Anchorage and Fairbanks, with additional options throughout the state of Alaska, and other states upon approval. 

    The estimated costs related to online education in this program include up to $2500 for computer hardware (i.e., laptop with webcam) and internet service for the duration of the program.  Specific requirements for online courses, including hardware, are available at .

    Additional travel and distance education opportunities may be available throughout the program.  Please inquire with the program director.

  • Assessment of Prior Learning

    老澳门六合彩开奖记录 offers several routes in which academic credit may be awarded to students who demonstrate mastery of knowledge or skills that were acquired outside of an accredited college or university. The Dietetics and Nutrition Graduate Program uses the , the Local Credit by Examination or Portfolio. Through this process, the student鈥檚 prior learning (i.e., work experience, volunteer experience, or professional training) is assessed for achievement of ACEND required competencies and consideration of awarding academic credit for courses or supervised experiential learning hours. Experiences in clinical (inpatient medical nutrition therapy) or outpatient counseling are typically not eligible for APL unless the student completed these experiences as a licensed healthcare professional. Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis. If an admitted student is interested in preparing an application for the assessment of prior learning, they are directed to make an appointment with the Graduate Program director, Dr. Carrie King, to discuss the options available to them.

Application Process

The application deadline for the Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition is February 15.  The maximum class size is 15 for each cohort admitted in the fall semester. 

Applicants are required to submit two online applications, with all required documents by the posted deadlines:
  1. Non-老澳门六合彩开奖记录 students are required to apply to the  and also the . 
  2. 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 students who are only applying to the 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 MS Dietetics and Nutrition program only need to apply to 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 through the .

All applicants who meet the admission criteria will be reviewed by the selection committee. 

  • Admissions Requirements
    1. Satisfy admission requirements for graduate degrees:
      a. Awarded a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (submission of an official transcript showing conferral of a bachelor鈥檚 degree is required prior to starting the program)
      b. Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

    2. Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement or submission of official transcripts to the 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 Office of Admissions demonstrating completion of all prerequisites listed below (with a minimum grade of "C"):
      BIOL A108 Principles and Methods in Biology, with lab (6 cr)
      BIOL A111 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, with lab (4 cr)
      BIOL A112 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, with lab (4 cr)
      BIOL A240 Introduction to Microbiology for Health Sciences, with lab (4 cr)
      CHEM A105 General Chemistry I, with lab (4 cr)
      CHEM A106 General Chemistry II, with lab (4 cr)
      CHEM A321 Organic Chemistry (no lab, 3 cr)
      CHEM A441 Principles of Biochemistry (no lab, 3 cr)
      DN A151 Nutrition through the Lifecycle (3 cr) or PSY A150 Lifespan Development (3 cr)
      DN A203 Nutrition for Health Sciences (3 cr)
      DN A270 Culinary Nutrition (3 cr)
      DN A275 Intro to Culinary Medicine (3 cr)
      DN A325 Food and Nutrition in Modern Alaska (3 cr)
      DN A350 Foodservice Systems and Quantity Foods (4 cr)
      DN A401 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 cr) and DN A402 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 cr) 
      STAT A200 Elementary Statistics (3 cr)
      Also: ServSafe Food Manager Certificate
      Based on a review of your previous coursework, work experience, volunteer experience and professional training, the list of prerequisites may be adjusted.

    3. Personal statement, addressing the following items:
      1. Significant professional or volunteer responsibilities you have held,
      2. Professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in this program,
      3. Strengths that will help you succeed in this program and in reaching your professional goals,
      4. Personal interests in research and dietetics and nutrition,
      5. Research is required for all students in this program, either through a graduate project or thesis. List which DN faculty member you would most like to work with for academic advising. The DN faculty professional and research interests are as follows:
        Dr. Carrie King (cdking@alaska.edu, 907-786-6597):  evidence-based practice, research involvement, research capacity building, research self-efficacy, profession of dietetics, dietetics education, practice-based research, culinary medicine, culinary literacy, pediatric nutrition, diabetes
        Dr. Emily Faerber (ecfaerber@alaska.edu, 907-786-4490): food security, infant and young child feeding, nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, food systems, diet quality, global health, program evaluation
        Dr. Amanda Walch (akwalch@alaska.edu, 907-786-1362): diet quality, community-based participatory research (CBPR), public health, traditional foods, food security, nutrition education, nutrition counseling
      6. Rank the order of your preference of primary supervised practice location (Anchorage or Fairbanks).
      7. Provide any previous names your application materials may be submitted under.

    1. Current resume or CV, including documentation of the following:
      Paid work experience(s), including duration in position and hours worked per week
      Volunteer or community service experience(s), including duration in position and hours worked per week
      Professional organization membership(s)

    1. Two letters of recommendation that meet the following criteria:
      1. Letters must address prior academic, work or volunteer experience, with evidence of ability and willingness to work productively.
      2. Individuals who are qualified to address your professional, volunteer or academic experience and abilities.
      3. Written by a non-personal reference (i.e., not a family friend) and non-老澳门六合彩开奖记录 DN faculty.
      4. When you complete your application using the online process through the 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 Office of Admissions, you will enter the contact information for your references.  References will receive an email with a link and form to complete. 

    1. Interview: Applicants to the MS Dietetics and Nutrition pre-professional track will complete an online interview assessment. You will be sent a link via email that will provide instructions on how to complete the interview. It will take 30-60 minutes to complete and you will complete this on your own time. The interview assessment must be completed before the application deadline.
  • Additional admission requirements (after program acceptance)

    Upon acceptance into the 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 Graduate Program, students will be required to complete/obtain the following before the fall semester start date (check with the program director for the most current list or requirements):

    • Complete financial aid requirements (if needed)
    • Submit an official transcript(s) indicating a conferred baccalaureate degree and all prerequisite coursework (if not already submitted with application)
    • Required by the clinical rotation sites for most facilities: Proof of current immunizations or titers including TB (2-step, current 30 days prior to start of any rotation at Providence facilities - see Program Director for clarification, OR the quantiferon test), Hep B series, t-DAP (within the past 10 years), MMR (2 shot series or titer), Varicella (2 shot series or titer), flu shot (available seasonally after September 1st), and the COVID-19 vaccine series.
    • Recommended: Hep A series for rural Alaska travel
    • Proof of health insurance (for the duration of the program)
    • ServSafe Food Manager Certificate (must be current for the duration of the program)
    • Current CPR card (must be current for the duration of the program)
    • State of Alaska background check (including fingerprinting)
    • Drug testing (10-panel drug test)
    • Completion of 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 Title IX training
    • Additional requirements may be added due to the COVID-19 situation
  • Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

    The student will be eligible for graduation with a Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition and receipt of a Verification Statement in order to apply for the CDR registration exam for dietitians upon successful completion of the following:

    • (i.e., a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0);
    • all required coursework;
    • all supervised experiential learning rotations and hours with satisfactory evaluations from preceptors and the 老澳门六合彩开奖记录 DN graduate program director (a minimum score of 5 for each ACEND competency);
    • documentation of the achievement of each competency in the student ePortfolio
    • all graduate project or thesis requirements and revisions; and
    • apply for graduation.

 

 

  • Email: ACEND@eatright.org
  • Phone: 1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400
  • Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
  • Website: