Master of Arts Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Nutrition is not only a fundamental human need but also one of the key influencers in the determinants of health. When health needs arise, the public turns to the world’s leading experts in food and nutrition – Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).

The Applied Nutrition and Dietetics Program is a new and innovative, entry-level graduate program. It prepares students to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The program uses competency-based education that integrates online didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning. Throughout the program, students will acquire the skills to examine underlying assumptions, explore issues from multiple perspectives and develop new ways of thinking critically, preparing them to be future leaders in nutrition and dietetics.

47 Total credits
$695 Cost Per Credit Hour
Jan 2 Next Start Date

Nutrition is not only a fundamental human need but also one of the key influencers in the determinants of health. When health needs arise, the public turns to the world’s leading experts in food and nutrition – Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).

The Applied Nutrition and Dietetics Program is a new and innovative, entry-level graduate program. It prepares students to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The program uses competency-based education that integrates online didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning. Throughout the program, students will acquire the skills to examine underlying assumptions, explore issues from multiple perspectives and develop new ways of thinking critically, preparing them to be future leaders in nutrition and dietetics.

  • 47 credit hour program
  • Full & part-time options
  • January, May and August start dates
  • Complete your degree in as little as 24 months

The program presents courses in an organized, sequential manner with each term and year building upon prior learning experiences. Online courses can be accessed 24/7 and include structured assignments that need to be completed within specific periods as indicated in the course syllabi. These courses include full-featured communication resources, allowing for both synchronous and asynchronous interaction between and among students and faculty.

*Students must successfully achieve all of the ACEND competencies contained within each course, earn a B or better in each course, and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

EARN A SPECIALIZATION IN LESS TIME THAN YOU THINK

Do you also have an interest in human lactation and maternal child health? Then, consider adding a specialization in Human Lactation Studies to your Applied Nutrition and Dietetics program. Adding this specialization will allow you to meet the requirements to sit for the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam as well as the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam upon completion. It will only require an additional 15-17 more credit hours to graduate with this specialization.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Arts Program is open to applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or a recognized international institution of higher education. Admission decisions are made on an individual basis. Before admission is granted, each application is reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine if the applicant’s academic history and preparation are satisfactory. Students may be admitted into the M.A. on a full or provisional status.

An undergraduate chemistry course and an undergraduate nutrition course are required pre-requisites to enter the program.

Application deadlines: 
Summer term - February 1st  |  Fall term - June 1st  |  Spring term - October 1st 

What makes Union’s M.A. with a major in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics unique?

“Our program is offered exclusively online, which allows for the ability for students to attend classes on their time. The small class size allows students to form lasting mentoring relationships with faculty.”

Lisa Akers
Applied Nutrition and Dietetics Advisor

Mission, Goals & Objectives

We are dedicated to educating highly motivated, competent and socially responsible entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). With the knowledge and skills they gain through experiential learning and scholarship, they will be prepared to engage in a lifetime of empowering and educating others.

*Outcomes data is available upon request.

Applying Your Applied Nutrition & Dietetics Degree to Real-World Experience

Students who graduate from our program and successfully complete the RDN credentialing examination will be qualified to work in a wide variety of settings. Some may work in hospitals or other health care facilities, developing nutrition plans and providing nutrition education to patients. Others may manage food service operations in institutions such as schools, universities and correctional facilities. Sports nutrition, corporate wellness programs and the food industry are other possibilities. Teaching opportunities also exist in public health settings and universities. Some graduates may even go into nutrition-related research or private practice.

Accreditation

Beginning in 2024, a master’s degree will be required in order to gain candidacy to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Examination. Our graduate demonstration program, under the Future Education Graduate Model Standards, is a candidate for accreditation. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics (www.eatrightpro.org/FutureModel). These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice. Program graduates will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Union Institute & University’s M.A. with a major in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics has been granted candidate status by:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: (800)-877-1600 ext 5400
Email: acend@eatright.org
www.eatright.org/ACEND

Supervised Experiential Learning

Supervised experiential learning is incorporated and interwoven throughout the program with classroom-based activities and off-site collaborative projects and rotations with local food and nutrition agencies and organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are the world’s leading experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and prevent and/or manage disease. RDNs work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to hospitals, private practice, public health departments/clinics, food service operations, hunger relief agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools and universities. Many states and U.S. territories have provisions that regulate the dietetics profession and associated titles (e.g. dietitian and nutritionist) and as such require state licensure and certification of dietitians. Please be sure you are educated on the regulations in your state or U.S. territory. Further information can be found here: https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure

Disclosure

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are the world’s leading experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and prevent and/or manage disease. RDNs work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to hospitals, private practice, public health departments/clinics, food service operations, hunger relief agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, and universities. Many states and U.S. territories have provisions that regulate the dietetics profession and associated titles (e.g. dietitian and nutritionist) and as such require state licensure and certification of dietitians. Please be sure you are educated on the regulations in your state or U.S. territory.  Further information can be found at: cdrnet.org/state-licensure-agency-list.

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