Graduate Studies
With an emphasis in cultural competence and diversity in dietetics practice, the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition with the Dietetic Internship will prepare you to become a professional dietitian by providing graduate coursework and quality supervised practice.
Immaculata’s Master of Science in nutrition will give you an in-depth understanding of nutrient metabolism, medical nutrition therapy, and changing nutritional needs throughout the life cycle, along with specialized topics in applied nutrition. You will be able to effectively communicate nutrition information, develop and implement current research, utilize nutrition literature and resources, and integrate nutrition knowledge from a variety of sources.
Two tracks are available for obtaining a master’s degree in nutrition, depending upon your background and career goals. Continue reading to learn more about the clinical nutrition track with an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship, or learn more about the nutrition education and counseling track here.
Clinical Nutrition, M.S. with Dietetic Internship Program Highlights
- Faculty have real-world experience as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
- You will have a faculty advisor to guide you through your degree program from start to finish.
- You may participate in faculty-mentored research projects with some funding available.
- The program is flexible, with evening, hybrid, and online courses offered.
- A variety of courses are offered as electives to suit your interests and professional needs.
This track is for those who want to earn a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (R.D.N.) credential and obtain a graduate degree. By January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a graduate degree to meet the entry- level registration eligibility education requirements for dietitians.
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of the internship, you will be eligible to take the registration exam and become an R.D.N. With this credential, you may work in areas such as:
- Clinical facilities—hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
- Community and public health settings—public health departments, programs for seniors or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), or Head Start programs
- Business and industry—food service management or operations in schools, supermarkets, and other institutions
- Higher education
- Sports nutrition
- Private practice
Dietetic Internship
Immaculata’s Dietetic Internship will give you supervised experience in dietetics practice as part of your master’s degree in clinical nutrition. The internship integrates our graduate nutrition faculty’s academic expertise with the medical and dietetic expertise of leading health care facilities in the surrounding area. The internship requires an intensive commitment of working full-time for approximately 10 months or part-time, three days per week, with extended time for completion. The internship and related coursework will provide 24 (out of 39) graduate credits toward the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition. Admission to the Dietetic Internship requires a separate application (see below).
Admission Requirements
You must hold a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite coursework that constitutes an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), or an equivalent program with verification, as specified by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). You may be required to take undergraduate courses to meet these prerequisites prior to acceptance into the graduate program and the Dietetic Internship. You can complete an ACEND-approved DPD at Immaculata University, with some coursework available at the graduate level. If you are an international student, you must contact us for a list of agencies acceptable to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Immaculata University for your course-by-course transcript evaluation.
To apply, please submit:
- Immaculata’s graduate application form
- Official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate school attended
- Two recommendations
- A one-page essay discussing your professional goals
Curriculum
REQUIRED COURSES (39 Credits)
- GEN 501 Human Development (3)
- GEN 502 Methods of Research (3)
- GEN 503 Interpersonal Relations (3)
- NED 645 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)
- NED 647 Applied Nutrition and Metabolism (3)
- NED 655 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3)
- NED 659 Preparation for Internship (3)
- NED 662, 663, 664 Internship Experience in Nutrition I, II, III (9)
- NED 680 Principles of Nutrition Education (3)
- NED 691 Nutrition Capstone (3)
- ELECTIVE Nutrition Elective (3)
Internship Preparation and Verification for Non-Nutrition Baccalaureate Students
This option allows the student to achieve eligibility for a Dietetic Internship when the student has completed a baccalaureate degree in a non-nutrition major. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) has established educational requirements for eligibility to apply for a Dietetic Internship. The minimum requirements include a baccalaureate degree in any subject and completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) required courses. Since Immaculata University has an ACEND accredited undergraduate DPD, prospective applicants to the Immaculata Dietetic Internship can complete the required courses at the undergraduate level without having to earn an additional degree. The course requirement varies for each student based on prior coursework, which will be determined by the DPD director.
International students seeking a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition combined with Dietetic Internship must contact the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences for a list of agencies acceptable to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Immaculata University for their course by course transcript evaluation.
Course Preview
Applied Nutrition & Metabolism
Overview of biochemistry, metabolism, physiological actions, and interrelationships of macronutrients and micronutrients. Discusses the regulation of the biochemical pathways of nutrients digestion, absorption, excretion, transport, and cellular metabolism. Study of nutritional and toxicological standards for humans and bioavailability of micronutrients. Explores the scientific methods to build foundation of nutrition knowledge and recommendations.
Principles of Nutrition Education
Overview of the fundamental theories and processes of nutrition education for individuals and groups. Includes approaches to needs assessment; program planning and design, population-appropriate interventions, evaluation and assessment.
Health Counseling
Examination and application of counseling skills, counseling strategies and counseling theories needed to promote health behavior change. Students will be guided in the development of a personal counseling style and philosophy. Focus on interactive learning of the counseling process, including role- play and skills practice.
Nutrition Capstone
Action research in the field of nutrition/nutrition education is presented. Students develop and present an action research project utilizing skills and knowledge gained from all graduate courses. Prerequisite: student’s final semester with a maximum of four other credits needed for completion of the degree.
Discover Immaculata
Grounded in IHM tradition and charism since 1920.
Find out what an IU education can do for your mind, your character and your future.