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NSU's Professional Practice Concentration — also known as the MS-RDN program — prepares students for careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists through an ACEND-accredited graduate program that meets all requirements for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam. Effective January 1, 2024, the CDR requires a minimum of a master's degree for all new RDN candidates, making this program an essential pathway for entering the profession. Summer cohorts begin each year at the Davie/Fort Lauderdale campus or the Tampa Bay Regional Campus. Applications are submitted through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS).
High Demand Career
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% employment growth for dietitians and nutritionists from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the national average — with a median annual salary of $73,850 as of May 2024. The MS-RDN Professional Practice Concentration is the only track within NSU's M.S. in Nutrition by which students may become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. The program brings together students from varied academic and professional backgrounds to develop collaborative, interprofessional practice skills alongside clinical nutrition competencies. All coursework meets the professional competency and experiential learning requirements of ACEND Graduate Degree Programs (GP).
Program Logistics
The MS-RDN program admits a limited number of students once per year as a summer cohort, with classes beginning in late April at either the Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus or the Tampa Bay Regional Campus. Students indicate their campus preference at the time of application through DICAS. As a residential program, students must live within a 2-hour drive of their designated campus to fulfill onsite class and supervised practice requirements.
Curriculum
The MS-RDN Professional Practice Concentration requires 67 semester credits, delivered through a hybrid format combining online synchronous classes with regular onsite labs and clinical training. Supervised experiential learning is arranged by NSU through educational affiliations — students are not required to find their own preceptors or training sites. The curriculum covers nutrition assessment, medical nutrition therapy, counseling, food systems management, community nutrition, and a capstone project. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates to meet Florida licensure requirements and sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam.
Special Notice for 2025-26 Admissions Cycle
As of August 5, 2025, all external applicants are required to apply through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS). This platform streamlines the application process and facilitates document verification.
While applications are processed on a rolling basis, the program will adhere to the following dates for application reviews and candidate decisions:
|
Deadline |
Candidate Decision Issued |
Candidate Acceptance Due |
|
October 15 |
November 1 |
November 15 |
|
February 15 |
March 1 |
March 15 |
|
April 15 |
April 22 – Approximately |
April 27 – Term Start |
Come to a Virtual Open House
NSU hosts regular Virtual Open House sessions for prospective MS-RDN students. These free online events are an opportunity to meet faculty, ask questions about the curriculum, admissions process, and DICAS application, and get expert tips for a competitive application.
New session dates are announced throughout the year. To be notified of upcoming Virtual Open House dates, contact Cal Futterman, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, at (954) 514-0265 or Cf1095@nova.edu.
Nutrition and Dietetics Profession
The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is the accrediting agency for educational programs to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Accreditation is necessary to ensure that the education and training received by students meet quality assurance standards and ensure that students from an accredited program have been taught the same foundational knowledge requirements. See the ACEND website for more details on this process.
Also, many states regulate the practice of nutrition and dietetics profession. It is important that you know the requirements and implications of your future practice.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Credential
The professional practice of nutrition and dietetics applies the science of food and nutrition to the health and well-being of individuals and groups. Dietitians are health professionals who translate the science and art of nutrition and food into caring for people's health and well-being. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has met minimum academic and professional requirements and who has passed the Registration Examination for Dietitians, which is administered by The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Please note that as of January 1, 2024, candidates seeking to take the certification examination for registered dietitians must have at least a master's degree, professional training, and other program elements to qualify. Read more here.
NSU's MS-RDN program publishes the following mission, program goals, and measurable outcomes in accordance with ACEND accreditation standards.
Program Mission
The mission of the professional practice concentration (RDN) is to provide innovative education and training to effectively prepare competent, entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who collaboratively lead nutrition practice to enhance human health and quality of life in the communities they serve.
Program Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Prepare practitioners who can deliver quality nutritional care that is based on academic standards for entry-level dietitians and current research.
Objectives:
- Program Completion: At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
- Graduate Employment: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- Registration Exam: At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- Registration Exam: The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- Employer Satisfaction: 80% of employers who return surveys rate the level of graduates' preparation for entry-level practice at 4 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 5, 5 is the highest).
- Program Specific: At least 80% of program graduates surveyed after one year report their level of preparation for entry-level practice at 4 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 5, 5 is the highest).
Goal 2: Prepare graduates who champion service to the community and profession through active roles in leadership and interprofessional practice.
Objectives:
- Program Specific: At least 80% of program graduates surveyed after one year report
active involvement in their communities or profession.
- Program Specific: At least 80% of graduates surveyed after one year report their overall level of preparation to work in interprofessional teams at 4 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 5, 5 is the highest).
Program outcomes are available upon request.
Nova Southeastern University's Master of Science in Nutrition, Professional Practice Concentration is granted full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) as a Future Graduate Program through December 31, 2029. Graduates of this designated track will be eligible candidates for the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Interested parties may learn more by contacting the program director at iscripa@nova.edu
Contact information for ACEND
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800-877-1600 X 5400
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
www.eatright.org/acend
Nova Southeastern University's Master of Science in Nutrition, Professional Practice Concentration is granted full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) as a Future Graduate Program through December 31, 2029. Graduates of this designated track will be eligible candidates for the Commission on Dietetic Registration .
Interested parties may learn more by contacting the program director at spetrosky@nova.edu .
Contact information for ACEND:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800-877-1600 X 5400
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
URL: www.eatright.org/acend
For the incoming class of 2026, students must successfully complete 67 semester credits to complete the ACEND requirements and earn a verification statement.
Summer Term (11 credits)
NUT 5000 Foundations of Professional Practice in Nutrition and Dietetics
NUT 5025 Nutrition Across the Lifespan
NUT 5120 Nutrition Advocacy and Interprofessional Leadership
NUT 5200 Nutritional Biochemistry
Fall (13 credits)
NUT 5075 Advanced Practice Principles of Functional Nutrition
NUT 5100 Global Food Patterns and Health
NUT 5110 Foundations of Community Nutrition
NUT 6400 Nutrition Assessment and Medical Nutrition Therapy
NUT 6405 Clinical Skills Lab I
Winter (12 credits)
NUT 5130 Nutrition Counseling
NUT 5131 Counseling and Communications Lab
NUT 5170 Management of Food and Nutrition Systems
NUT 8004 Nutrition Practicum I - Community and Population Health
Summer 2 (7 credits)
NUT 6200 Evidence-based Research Outcomes in Nutrition
NUT 6500 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
NUT 6505 Clinical Skills Lab II
Fall 2 (12 credits)
NUT 6805 Applied Nutrition Capstone
NUT 7000 Professional Seminar
NUT 8007 Nutrition Practicum II - Leadership/Business/Management
Winter 2 (12 credits)
NUT 6150 Culinary Nutrition
NUT 8000 Comprehensive Examination
NUT 8008 Nutrition Practicum III - Client/Patient Services
Please note: This program will accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year and only admits a limited amount of candidates for a summer cohort each year (May start date).
The MS-RDN Professional Practice Concentration follows the admission criteria of the Master of Science in Nutrition degree program with the following additions (*Unique to this concentration):
Prerequisite Courses (Semester credits with grade of C or better):
- Anatomy & Physiology with Lab (or an equivalent, approved course)
- General Biology
- Organic Chemistry with Lab
- Biochemistry
- General Chemistry with Lab
- General Statistics
- Human Nutrition
- Microbiology
Admission Requirements:
- bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university
- official transcripts
- completed application form
- non-refundable application fee of $50
- undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (preferred)
- successful interview
The 2025-26 application cycle opens on August 5, 2025, and closes on June 30, 2026. Applicants are admitted as a summer cohort, with classes beginning Monday, April 27, 2026.
Application reviews and admissions decisions will follow the timeline outlined below:
- October 15 – Priority Deadline
Admission decisions released: November 1
Acceptance deadline: November 15 - February 15 – Regular Deadline
Admission decisions released: March 1
Acceptance deadline: March 15 - April 15 – Final Deadline for the 2026 Cohort
Admission decisions released: On or around April 22
Acceptance deadline: April 27
Applications submitted after April 15, 2026, will be considered for the 2027 cohort.
All qualified applicants will be evaluated against the program’s admissions requirements. Due to the selective nature of this professional practice pathway, not all applicants will receive an invitation to interview.
Applicants with a maximum of two prerequisite courses still in progress, who provide supporting documentation at the time of application, will be considered for interview selection.
Upon receipt of a completed application and required materials, the program's Admissions and Advisory Committee will review the applicant's file and make recommendations to the program director. All final decisions are made by the dean of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Applicants who have attended foreign universities or colleges are required to have their academic credentials evaluated for U.S. institutional equivalence. While there are several credential evaluators, NSU requires agencies that are approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
International students are encouraged to contact the Office of International Affairs at (954) 262-7240 or (866) 330-0723, ext. 27240, or email the Office of International Affairs.
Foreign nationals residing outside the United States at the time of application, whose native language is not English, must provide proof of English language proficiency.
All qualified applicants will be evaluated against the admissions requirements. Due to the nature of this professional practice pathway, not all applicants will receive an invitation to interview.
Candidates who have completed all pre-requisite coursework and present a well-rounded application demonstrating a commitment to the profession of dietetics and nutrition will be given preference in the selection process.
Candidates offered admission are required to complete an Intent to Enroll form and submit a $200 seat deposit by the stated deadline to confirm the acceptance or the seat is forfeited.
Accepted candidates who are completing the final requirements may receive a provisional admission offer contingent upon successful completion of pending items, including conferral of a degree. Accepted students must submit all original transcripts and documents to the Office of Admissions to be fully admitted. Financial aid funds cannot be distributed until this obligation is fulfilled. Delays in this step may also affect a candidate's ability to successfully enter the program.
Accepted candidates are admitted into a cohort that begins in the summer term and must attend a program orientation.
Tuition and Fees page for more information.
Estimated costs are generalized based on credit loads for all students in the Master of Science in Nutrition under universal reporting guidelines. These cover tuition, fees, books and supplies, housing, transportation, loan fees, personal expenses, and health insurance. Students in the professional practice concentration can expect additional program expenses such as:
- Application fee: $50
- Background screening and immunization fees: $200
- Uniforms and white coat: $200
- ServSafe training: $150
- Professional memberships: $58/year
- Conference registrations/travel: variable
The M.S. in Nutrition degree program and all concentrations within the degree have been granted financial aid funding status to qualified students. Please consult the NSU Office of Financial Aid website or speak with a representative if you have any questions.
Generally, to qualify for federal, state, and institutional financial assistance, students must meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrate financial need. For some sources of aid, this is not a requirement
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Be registered with the Selective Service if male
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
- Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program
- Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) stating that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
- Show you are qualified to obtain a college education by having a high school diploma or recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law