Graduate Studies
With an emphasis in cultural competence and diversity in dietetics practice, the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition with 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 (DI), or learn more about the Nutrition Education and Counseling track.
M.S. in Clinical Nutrition 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 (RDN) credential and obtain a graduate degree. In this combined M.S. and Dietetic Internship (M.S.+DI) program, you will earn a master’s degree upon completion of the internship. 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.
During your first year in the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition, you will take 24 graduate credits. All courses are offered online; some are also available in a hybrid format. In your second year of the program, you will complete the internship on a full-time basis.
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of this combined M.S.+DI program, you will earn the degree of Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and 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. As part of the M.S.+DI combined program, the internship will provide 12 graduate credits toward the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition.
Curriculum
REQUIRED COURSES (39 Credits)
Summer Year 1:
- GEN 502 Methods of Research (3)
- GEN 501 Human Development (3)
Fall Year 1:
- NED 645 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)
- NED 647 Applied Nutrition and Metabolism (3)
- NED 513 Culture & Diversity in Health Care Practice (1)
- Nutrition Elective (2)
Spring Year 1:
- NED 655 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3)
- Nutrition Elective (1-3)
Summer Year 2:
- GEN 503 Interpersonal Relations (3)
- NED 659 Preparation for Internship (3)
Fall Year 2:
- NED 662 Internship Experience in Nutrition I (3)
- NED 680 Principles of Nutrition Education (3)
Spring Year 2:
- NED 663 Internship Experience in Nutrition II (3)
- NED 664 Internship Experience in Nutrition III (3)
- NED 691 Nutrition Capstone (3)
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 M.S.+DI combined program. You can complete an ACEND-approved DPD at Immaculata University.
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.
We are now accepting applications for the new MS+DI Program with a start date of Summer or Fall 2022. Students enrolled will complete a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition combined with a Dietetic Internship and be eligible to sit for the RD exam in 2024. Please refer to the application requirement and send all inquiries to Dr. Danielle Kronmuller at dkronmul@immaculata.edu.
Internship Preparation and Verification for Non-Nutrition Baccalaureate Students
This option allows students to become eligible for the M.S.+DI combined program when they have completed a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nutrition. The minimum requirements established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) 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, you can complete the required courses at the undergraduate level without having to earn an additional degree. The course requirements are based on prior coursework and vary for each student, so they will be determined by the DPD director.
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.
Medical Nutrition Therapy I
The role of nutrition in various disease states. Physiology of organ systems and an examination of the application of therapeutic intervention in selected pathological states. Prerequisite: undergraduate Medical Nutrition Therapy course.
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.
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