Master of Science in Nutrition with Coordinated Program in Dietetics

• Time to complete: four semesters as a full-time student
• Full- and part-time status available
• 39 credit hours total
• Graduate classes are offered in online format in the evening to allow for supervised practice rotations during daytime hours.
• You will complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice to meet ACEND requirements and provide a variety of opportunities and learning activities for you to demonstrate required practice competency skills. This meets one of the requirements for eligibility to take the credentialing exam for Registered Dietitians. Most interns have supervised practice three to four days (21–32 hours) per week.
• Academic and program advising will also be available to help you achieve required academic, clinical and professional milestones in the program.
• You may qualify for a waiver of the GRE.

To qualify for the MS in Nutrition with Coordinated Program in Dietetics, students must have a bachelor's degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in nutrition and dietetics. All applicants’ transcripts will be evaluated to determine whether any other courses are required.

If you do not have a nutrition-related bachelor's degree:

• For applicants who wish to pursue the Local ISPP program and do not have a nutrition-related bachelor’s degree, it is required that they enroll first in the Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics Program.
• Applicants who have graduated with a nutrition-related bachelor’s degree, but have not earned a DPD verification statement will have their transcripts evaluated to determine whether any further courses are required.

Our program’s philosophy is to promote the Sinsinawa Dominicans’ dedication to the values-centered intellectual development. Therefore, our program strives to recruit and serve a diversified community as well as promote an appreciation for service to the community and our profession.

Our supervised practice rotations provide a minimum of 1,000 hours of field experience in practice settings including community, food service management, outpatient nutrition, and clinical inpatient nutrition—this will enable you to complete your supervised practice requirements with robust opportunities and experiences in each rotation. Supervised practice experiences are arranged by our program staff and are located within a 50-mile radius of our campus. For more information, please review our Coordinated and Local ISPP Programs Handbook (pdf opens in a new window).

You will also participate in extensive preparation for the Registration Examination for Dietitians, including a two-day RD Exam Review Workshop, use of RD exam software throughout the program, and our RD Boot Camp. Upon completion, program graduates receive the Verification Statement required for application to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

In order to become an RD/RDN the following criteria must be met:

• Complete a bachelor’s degree at a university or college accredited by ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) and received a verification statement of completed requirements. A graduate degree will be required to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
• Complete an ACEND-accredited dietetic coordinated program or internship.
• Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Secure licensure or practice certification in your practicing state(s) as applicable. The state of Illinois requires all Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDs/RDNs) to be licensed.
• Maintain professional continuing education requirements. 

For additional information on program test completion, pass rates, and progress on program goal outcomes, please visit Dominican University consumer information.

Registered Dietitians work in a wide range of settings:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Schools
• Local, state and federal government health departments
• Community organizations
• Private practice
• Businesses and marketing organizations
• Food industries
• Regulatory agencies
• Nutrition communications and consulting firms

The process for financing a degree can seem daunting, but you do have options. A 20% tuition discount is also available to Dominican University alumnae/i. Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more. 

We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or via email at finaid@dom.edu.