Professional Practice Concentration

Winter (14 credits)
NUT 5100 World Culture, Food and Nutrition 
NUT 5170 Management of Food and Nutrition Systems
NUT 6200 Evidence-based Research Outcomes in Nutrition
NUT 8001 Nutrition Practicum I - Community and Population Health

Summer (11 credits)

NUT 5075 Advanced Practice Principles of Functional Nutrition
NUT 6800 Special Project II
NUT 8002 Nutrition Practicum II - Leadership/Business/Management
Winter (13 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.

Estimated Program Costs for 2-Year Program

Admissions Application Fee: $50

Tuition:  $ 23,000/year

Books and Supplies: $ 1800/year

Student Services Fees: $ 1500/year

Registration and Other Administrative Fees: $ 265/year

Health Insurance: $ 2300/year or waiver accepted

Background Testing/Immunizations: $200

Uniforms/White Coat: $ 200

ServSafe Training: $125

Professional Memberships: $58

Conference Registrations: $150

Graduation Regalia: $150

Travel: variable depending on course assignments

Housing: variable depending on location and accommodations

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

Distance Education

The M.S. in Nutrition Professional Practice Concentration (MS-RDN) uses online technologies and learning management systems to deliver course content. However, the experiential learning portions of this concentration require onsite availability throughout the entire program. Therefore, a distance learning option is not offered. Students must be located near campus for regularly scheduled program activities and may travel up to two hours for supervised training.

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 once graduates pass the credentialing examination for registered dietitians. 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
2022-2023 Preceptor Handbook Community and Population Health
2022-2023 Preceptor Handbook Food Systems Management and Client Patient Services
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources