Dietetics (MS)

Summary

Dietetics is a comprehensive Future Educational Model (FEM) program. Students apply to the professional program after completing prerequisite foundational courses in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, sociology, ethnic studies, and other related fields. The professional program is an accelerated combined degree program where students begin graduate courses during the final year of their undergraduate program.

Upon completing the requirements for the Nutrition and Dietetics BS and the Dietetics MS, including Supervised Experiential Learning hours, the student graduates with a Dietetics MS, receives a Verification Statement, and is eligible to sit for the national registration exam for dietitians. Starting in 2024, a master’s degree and a Dietetics Verification Statement are required to take the exam. Successful completion of the exam allows a student to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

40

Total Credits

40

Locations

Mankato

Online

Career Cluster

Health Science

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Apply

Program Requirements

Common Core

Provides the developing helping professional with an introduction to basic helping skills: attending, listening, responding to content and affect, probing, and providing feedback. The course is experiential in nature and includes small group interaction, videotaping, and role playing simulations.

Prerequisites: none

This class is the first in a series of two courses which explore the role of Medical Nutrition Therapy in the healthcare system. Utilizing a case-study and experiential learning approach, the course will cover pathophysiology and use of the Nutrition Care Process in normal and malnourished states. Must be accepted into the Professional Program in Dietetics.

Prerequisites: none

This class is the second in a series of two courses which explore the role of Medical Nutrition Therapy in the healthcare system. Utilizing a case-study and experiential learning approach, the course will cover pathophysiology and use of the Nutrition Care Process in normal and more complex malnourished states.

Prerequisites: FCS 560

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes on-site experiences in a nutrition-related area.

Prerequisites: none

This class will explore nutrition in the community, including concepts of public health, entrepreneurship, diversity/equity/inclusion, epidemiology and effecting change, both individual behavioral and systemic change. Utilizing a case-study and experiential learning approach, the course will cover community needs assessments, program planning, policy and cultural competence. The course will explicitly cover mental health and the role of nutrition in behavioral health conditions. Must be enrolled in Dietetics graduate program.

Prerequisites: none

This class is preparation for entry into the career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and through a role-playing and experiential learning approach, the course will explore ethics, professionalism, leadership, standards of practice and credentialing in the profession. Must be enrolled in the Dietetics Graduate Seminar.

Prerequisites: none

This course will explore the models and application of counseling techniques applicable to the professional role of a Registered Dietitian with a particular emphasis on disordered eating and cultural competence. Must be accepted into the Graduate Program in Dietetics.

Prerequisites: none

This class is preparation for the national registration examination (CDR Exam) for Registered Dietitians. The course will review primary concepts on the exam and cover test-taking strategies and skills.

Prerequisites: none

This course will explore foundational concepts of pharmacology such as drug forms and classifications, pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism & excretion), routes of administration and basic dosing calculations. Additionally, the course will cover these same concepts for Vitamins, Minerals and Herb supplements. Special focus will be given to antineoplastic drugs, urinary system drugs, gastrointestinal drugs and endocrine system drugs including diabetic medications. Using a case-study approach, students will explore polypharmacy, physiological changes in pharmacokinetics with aging and common nutraceutical agents. Must be enrolled in Dietetics Graduate program.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes on-site experiences in a nutrition-related area (Graduate Level).

Prerequisites: none

A minimum of 6 credits total of FCS593: Supervised Experiential Learning and a minimum of 10 credits total of FCS693: Supervised Experiential Learning are required for graduation.

Research/Methods Course(s)

Reviews the basic principles and techniques used in Biostatistics and will incorporate a final project that entails analyzing data, using the SPSS program, to answer hypothesized questions, and make conclusions using the inferential statistical process.

Prerequisites: none

Capstone Course

This class will explore research principles and methods related to food and nutrition, including both conducting research and critically evaluating the peer-reviewed literature. Through an experiential learning approach, the course will introduce the skills needed to develop, propose and complete the student's Alternative Plan Paper (Capstone Project) related to food and nutrition. Must be enrolled in Dietetics graduate program.

Prerequisites: none

Degree Plan

The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 6 Credits

This class is the first in a series of two courses which explore the role of Medical Nutrition Therapy in the healthcare system. Utilizing a case-study and experiential learning approach, the course will cover pathophysiology and use of the Nutrition Care Process in normal and malnourished states. Must be accepted into the Professional Program in Dietetics.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes on-site experiences in a nutrition-related area.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 6 Credits

This class is the second in a series of two courses which explore the role of Medical Nutrition Therapy in the healthcare system. Utilizing a case-study and experiential learning approach, the course will cover pathophysiology and use of the Nutrition Care Process in normal and more complex malnourished states.

Prerequisites: FCS 560

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes on-site experiences in a nutrition-related area.

Prerequisites: none

Summer - 7 Credits

This class will explore research principles and methods related to food and nutrition, including both conducting research and critically evaluating the peer-reviewed literature. Through an experiential learning approach, the course will introduce the skills needed to develop, propose and complete the student's Alternative Plan Paper (Capstone Project) related to food and nutrition. Must be enrolled in Dietetics graduate program.

Prerequisites: none

This course will explore the models and application of counseling techniques applicable to the professional role of a Registered Dietitian with a particular emphasis on disordered eating and cultural competence. Must be accepted into the Graduate Program in Dietetics.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes on-site experiences in a nutrition-related area (Graduate Level).

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 10 Credits

Provides the developing helping professional with an introduction to basic helping skills: attending, listening, responding to content and affect, probing, and providing feedback. The course is experiential in nature and includes small group interaction, videotaping, and role playing simulations.

Prerequisites: none

This class will explore nutrition in the community, including concepts of public health, entrepreneurship, diversity/equity/inclusion, epidemiology and effecting change, both individual behavioral and systemic change. Utilizing a case-study and experiential learning approach, the course will cover community needs assessments, program planning, policy and cultural competence. The course will explicitly cover mental health and the role of nutrition in behavioral health conditions. Must be enrolled in Dietetics graduate program.

Prerequisites: none

This class is preparation for entry into the career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and through a role-playing and experiential learning approach, the course will explore ethics, professionalism, leadership, standards of practice and credentialing in the profession. Must be enrolled in the Dietetics Graduate Seminar.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes on-site experiences in a nutrition-related area (Graduate Level).

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 11 Credits

This class is preparation for the national registration examination (CDR Exam) for Registered Dietitians. The course will review primary concepts on the exam and cover test-taking strategies and skills.

Prerequisites: none

This course will explore foundational concepts of pharmacology such as drug forms and classifications, pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism & excretion), routes of administration and basic dosing calculations. Additionally, the course will cover these same concepts for Vitamins, Minerals and Herb supplements. Special focus will be given to antineoplastic drugs, urinary system drugs, gastrointestinal drugs and endocrine system drugs including diabetic medications. Using a case-study approach, students will explore polypharmacy, physiological changes in pharmacokinetics with aging and common nutraceutical agents. Must be enrolled in Dietetics Graduate program.

Prerequisites: none

Reviews the basic principles and techniques used in Biostatistics and will incorporate a final project that entails analyzing data, using the SPSS program, to answer hypothesized questions, and make conclusions using the inferential statistical process.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes on-site experiences in a nutrition-related area (Graduate Level).

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Please refer to the current Student Handbook on our website for a full set of policies.

Admission Policies

Students enter the Dietetics MS through admission to Professional Program in Dietetics while an undergraduate student. See the program admission policies under the Nutrition and Dietetics BS program website.

Students must simultaneously, and separately, apply to and be admitted to the Graduate School. Students apply to the Graduate school while applying to the Professional Program in Dietetics (typically during the sophomore year of undergraduate education).

Progression Policies

Students follow the requirements of the Graduate School.

Completion Policies

Students must complete the graduate portion with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must follow MSU graduation policies.