Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
Overview
The Master of Science in nutrition and dietetics coordinated program is designed for students who wish to earn a master's degree while gaining eligibility to become a registered dietitian and pursue careers as entry-level dietitians.
This program combines graduate-level coursework in nutrition with the clinical curriculum and supervised practice that allows graduates to sit for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics examination for registered dietitians. This program is also ideal for students who have earned a Bachelor of Science in another field but are now interested in becoming a registered dietitian or those who graduated with a bachelor’s in nutrition and were not matched for a dietetic internship.
What can I do with a degree in nutrition and dietetics?
Students graduating with a master's degree and passing the RD exam can pursue careers in:
- Clinical dietetics
- Community and public health
- Consulting
- Private practice
- Food and nutrition business industry
- Food service
- Food management
- Research and education
- Sports and wellness nutrition
- Corporate wellness
The program is carefully designed to provide both the didactic coursework as well as a minimum 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience in clinical, community, food service management and sports nutrition.
Upon program completion, graduates are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians offered through the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). Successful completion of the RD exam is a prerequisite for licensure or certification in most states.
For more information, please refer to the following websites:
Effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to sit for the registered dietitian nutritionist credentialing exam. Please see additional information on the CDR website.
Accreditation
The Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND(R) ), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-0040 ext 5400. More information about accreditation can be found at the ACEND website.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics at SIUE and acquire a master’s degree will be able to take the CDR credentialing exam.
Mission, Goals and Objectives
Program Mission
- To provide candidates with knowledge and supervised practice experience which will enable them to successfully pass the registration exam for dietitians
- To prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for careers in a variety of healthcare settings, including sports nutrition, clinical, community, research, business and food service, who will work towards improving the health of society through optimal nutrition practices
- To produce graduates with critical thinking and problem solving skills, who stay abreast of knowledge to provide effective evidence-based nutrition care and theory-based nutrition education
Goal 1: Prepare graduates for successful completion of the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam for dietitians.
- Objective 1: At least 80% of program students will complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
- Objective 2: 80% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- Objective 3: The program’s 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%.
- Objective 4: At least 80% of program graduates will indicate they strongly agree or agree they felt adequately prepared for the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists.
Goal 2: Prepare competent entry-level practitioners to provide evidence-based nutrition services to individuals and groups in a variety of practice settings.
- Objective 1: Students will maintain a grade of C or better in all dietetics and support courses.
- Objective 2: Students will maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Objective 3: Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- Objective 4: Over a five-year period, 80% of preceptor respondents will rank the quality of students from SIUE as above average.
- Objective 5: Over a five-year period, 80% of graduates will be considered “well prepared” for employment, and provide evidence-based care and/or education in nutrition and dietetics or related fields.
- Objective 6: Over a five-year period, alumni respondents working in dietetics or related fields will collectively identify three different practice areas as primary job settings.
Information regarding program outcomes, including graduation rates and achievement on registration exams is available upon request.
Professional Credential Disclosure
This program is intended to prepare students for licensure/certification meeting educational requirements established by regulatory boards in the state of Illinois. Licensure/certification requirements can vary by state. If you intend to practice or teach inside or outside the state of Illinois, please visit our professional licensure webpage.
Estimated Costs
Tuition costs are approximately $350 per credit hour and student fees are approximately $108.40 per credit hour. Textbook costs are included in student fees. In addition, students in the nutrition and dietetics program can expect to incur the following expenses:
- Lab coat and/or uniforms for supervised practice experiences ($30)
- Background checks (about $90 per check)
- Drug screening with compliance tracker (about $60)
- Immunizations as deemed essential by practicum sites ($5-15 each or $30-90 for a series)
- Practicum and supervised practice courses include a course-specific fee ($30 per class)
- Transportation costs for field trips/field based experiences (varies by location)
- Students are required to join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a student member. The student fee is $58 per year.
- Housing expenses vary. Off-campus shared housing costs $400-500/month. Most on-campus housing options range from $500-1,000/month depending on location and shared or private bedroom.
Additional information regarding program costs can be found in the Program Guide and Policies and Procedures Manual. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid for more information about scholarships and financial aid.
https://www.siue.edu/academics/graduate/degrees-and-programs/nutrition-dietetics/
