Professional Practice Concentration

Please note: The MS-RDN concentration curriculum has been revised for the incoming class in 2024. Students must successfully complete 68 semester credits to complete the ACEND requirements.

Entering Class 2024 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)

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 (11 credits)

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
• one letter of recommendation (professional)
• undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (preferred)
• successful interview

March 1 is the preferred application deadline each year for one summer cohort. When completing the application form online, candidates must specifically indicate the Professional Practice Concentration from the optional drop-down choices. 

All applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be considered; however, not all applicants will be selected to interview. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow for adequate time to process the application review and to receive supplemental materials.

Upon receipt of the completed application and required materials, the Committee on Admissions 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.

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.  When writing a personal statement, it is best to address this in the comments provided. Other areas of strength will be the applicant's academic performance, community service, leadership attributes, additional letters of support and resume.

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 (early May start date) and must attend a program orientation.

Visit the 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

Sample Financial Aid Cost of Attendance Budget

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

Branch Campus

The MS-RDN program admits students once a year in summer (May start) at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus or the Tampa Bay Regional Campus. Students may indicate their location preference when applying for admission to the program. As a residential program, students should live within a 2-hour drive from their designated campus for commuting purposes. The hybrid program is delivered through a mixture of online synchronous meetings and regular onsite classes and labs. Supervised experiential learning is arranged locally to maximize the faculty oversight of student training. 

Distance Education

The hybrid program uses online technologies and computerized learning management systems to deliver instructional content consistently to all program locations. Experiential learning and designated courses in this concentration require the onsite availability of students throughout the program. Students must be located near campus for regularly scheduled program activities and may have to travel up to two hours for supervised training. Therefore, a distance learning (or fully remote) option for this program is not offered.

Assessment of Prior Learning or Coursework

The MS-RDN program has adopted NSU’s policy for course transfers and assessment of prior learning. Only didactic courses can be considered for transfer credit. Applicants may submit documentation for evaluation prior to admission and work with the program director to evaluate portfolios. Details can be found at: https://www.nova.edu/tes/graduate/index.html.

Supervised Learning Experiences

Supervised practice experiences are coordinated through the program with educational affiliations arranged by Nova Southeastern University on behalf of the nutrition program. Students may work with the program director to engage in unique learning experiences as appropriate to fulfill the experiential learning requirements and explore personalized practice options under a qualified preceptor.  Students are not required to arrange their own preceptor or learning sites.

State Licensing Requirements

The MS-RDN program provides a national level of certification for registered dietitians once graduates pass the credentialing examination. Applicants are responsible for determining any additional requirements for licensure in the state where they seek to be licensed. Students should refer directly to the state licensing bodies or visit professional websites such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration for licensure requirements across the United States. Florida candidates with an active RDN number can apply directly to the Florida Department of Health.

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements for RDN

• Students must successfully complete the required coursework at a grade point average of 3.0 or higher within three years of matriculation (150%).
• Students must pass the comprehensive examination with a score of 70% or better.
• Students must complete all competency-based assessments at the required target levels.
• Students meet all university financial and library obligations.

NSU MS RDN Program Policies
2023-2024 Preceptor Handbook Community and Population Health
2023-2024 Preceptor Handbook Food Systems Management and Client Patient Services
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources