Can this program make me eligible to become a registered dietitian?
If you have your verification statement*, then this program will meet the master’s degree requirement for dietetic internships. You may sit for the RD exam following the completion of this M.S. and a dietetic internship.
If you do not have a verification statement, then the online program alone will not make you eligible for a dietetic internship or the RD exam. We do offer a verification pathway through our on-campus M.S. program in Food and Nutrition Sciences upon completion of which you will earn your M.S. degree along with a verification statement. A hybrid format (partly online and partly on-campus) can be devised for students not able to be on campus full time.
*A verification statement is an official document that certifies that a student has completed the dietetics coursework required to be eligible for a dietetic internship.
Am I eligible to apply if my undergraduate degree is not in nutrition or the sciences?
Yes, the program accepts applications from non-nutrition or non-science majors. We do recommend that you have completed at least 12 undergraduate science credits to provide some foundational knowledge for undertaking a science-based graduate program such as this one.
Is this program compatible with stand-alone dietetic internships?
Yes, the program offers a flexible program of study and the course load per semester can be balanced based on the internship schedule. Several students have already completed our M.S. program successfully alongside their dietetic internship.
I am a full-time working professional. Is this program right for me?
Yes, the program is 100% online, asynchronous and self-paced offering a high degree of flexibility for working professionals. It also has a class format that helps to spread out course load for enhanced manageability when taking multiple classes.
How long does the program take for completion?
The program is self-paced, and the timeline and course map are customized for each student. The fastest time the program can be completed in is a year (3 semesters). This requires a course load of around 4 classes per semester. Full-time working professionals typically complete the program in 4-6 semesters enabling a balance of work and school responsibilities. There is no maximum time for completion, and you make take as few as one course a year.
Can I pursue the degree part-time?
Yes, you can pursue the program part-time. The program is self-paced, and you can choose to take as little as one class per year.
Do I have to show up for classes at a specific time?
All classes in the online program are asynchronous, which means you are not expected to attend classes at a specific time. Course content and related assignments are made available to students to complete anytime during a specified window (typically a week).
Students may be requested to attend some class meetings synchronously, but these are usually arranged at a time that most students can attend (e.g. after regular working hours).
Am I eligible for financial aid?
Students may be eligible for financial aid if they are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a given semester. 9 credit hours per semester is considered a full-time graduate student.
What kind of jobs can I get after program completion?
This program will qualify you for any job that requires an M.S. degree in Nutrition. Specific job function will also depend on your undergraduate degree. Examples of possible roles include nutrition scientists or managers in the food or supplement industry, university teaching faculty, clinical research or regulatory positions, health and nutrition managers for community or professional organizations, nutrition content writers and entrepreneurs, among others.
Examples of past program graduates’ careers include registered dietitian, nutritionist, food product marketing, and nutrition consulting/entrepreneurship. Other graduates are pursuing further education such as dietetic internship and medical school.
Does the program require GRE for admission?
No, the online M.S. program does not need GRE scores for admission.