Dietetics and Nutrition Master of Science Degree

Careers in Nutrition

Changes in the health care landscape are helping to make dietetics and nutrition professionals highly sought after for excellent career opportunities. Now, more than ever, RDN’s practice in a wide range of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Universities
• Government Agencies
• Research Facilities
• Food and Pharmaceutical Companies
• Public Health Organizations
• Journalism
• Marketing
• Sports Nutrition
• Commercial Food Service Operations
• Corporate Well-Being Units

This program is available on-campus only.

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Dietetics and Nutrition MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS).
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete bridge courses prior to starting program coursework.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

Additional Information

Students must demonstrate proficiency in all ACEND-defined competencies through ongoing evaluations during their SEL rotations and course work. Failure to meet any competency may delay graduation or require additional supervised practice/remediation until all competencies are satisfactorily achieved.

Credit for Prior Learning

The graduate program in dietetics and nutrition follows the RIT policy for credit for prior learning as outlined in the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. RIT allows up to 6 credits provided for prior learning. No more than 3 credits can be applied to supervised experiential learning. A request for consideration of prior learning will be reviewed by the program director in consultation with the school head and, as appropriate, a preceptor representing the area of request. The decision of the program director will be relayed to the student in writing within 30 days of the request. The review will include evaluation of transcripts, performance evaluations, letters of support, business records, as well as other documents. Student disagreement with the decision for credit for prior learning may ask for a review by the graduate school and/or dean of the college or follow grievance procedures outlined for students at RIT.

Prerequisites

Applicants must show evidence of course work in the natural sciences (e.g., biology and biochemistry) and in courses related to nutrition and dietetics covering topics such as techniques of dietetics education, nutrition and integrative medicine, community nutrition, customer experience management, and microbiology of health and disease. Applicants holding a Verification Statement from an ACEND-accredited program in didactics are considered to have met these requirements.

Scholarships

Students interested in cultural competence, social determinants of health, behavioral health integration, and interprofessional care coordination are encouraged to apply for scholarships reserved for RIT M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition students in the AHEC Scholars Program. Selected students may apply their RIT Experiential Learning hours toward fellowship requirements. Benefits of participation include a financial stipend, access to current, research-based, non-clinical online learning materials, and more.

Transportation Requirement

The Dietetics and Nutrition MS program requires Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) experiences that are off site and not on the RIT campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from any off-campus activities including their supervised experiential learning hours, practice assignments, research, and travel to professional meetings. All transportation and parking costs are the responsibility of the student. Public transportation and/or ride share are typically not available.