Nutrition and Dietetics MS

Major: Nutrition and Dietetics
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 63.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.3101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1031

About the Program

The Nutrition and Dietetics program is designed to provide both the didactic coursework and experiential learning necessary to prepare students to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN). Using knowledge of nutrition science, biology, chemistry, physiology, biochemistry, psychology and statistics, RDNs address the nutrition needs of individuals or groups through the prevention or management of illness or chronic disease. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the entry-level exam to become an RDN. This program fulfills the requirements of the Graduate Program (GP) in Nutrition and Dietetics Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Future Education Model Accreditation standards. 

Students spend the first two quarters in the program in the classroom taking foundation courses. Beginning in the third quarter, in addition to taking six credits of didactic coursework, students enroll in three credits of supervised practice (24 hours per week) to develop and demonstrate competency in dietetics practice. Experiential learning is completed at locations in and around the Delaware Valley or in locations outside of the area with approval from the program director.

During the last four months of the program, students complete a capstone project in a chosen concentration area. Concentrations are available with Drexel Athletics, Eat Right Philly and at a wide variety of other facilities and programs with whom the department has relationships.

Students have the option to complete a research thesis instead of a capstone project. Applicants are encouraged to visit the program website to review the research programs of the department's faculty.

The program is offered on a full-time basis. Students are admitted in the fall term.

Program Mission: Drexel University’s Nutrition Sciences graduate program in dietetics integrates didactic coursework with experiential learning to provide the knowledge, competencies and professional values needed to prepare students to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists. 

Program Goals and Objectives

Program Goal #1: To provide quality classroom and experiential learning to prepare graduates to become registered dietitian nutritionists and be employed in the field of dietetics.

• Objective #1: At least 80 percent of students complete the program within 32 months (150 percent of the planned program length).
• Objective #2: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective #3: Graduates of the GP will rate aspects of their concentration supervised experiential learning experiences an average of "4" or better, on a scale of 1=poor to 5 =excellent.
• Objective #4: Employers of graduates of the GP will rate ten aspects of the students' preparation for employment an average of "4" or better, on a scale of 1=poor to 5 =excellent within 12 months of graduation. 

Program Goal #2: To prepare graduates to take and pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam.

• Objective #1: At least 80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• Objective #2: The program's one-year pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam for registered dietitian nutritionists is at least 80 percent.

Program Goal #3: To increase diversity in the profession by facilitating the success of students from underrepresented groups.

• Objective #1: At least 25 percent of students will be from underrepresented groups.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College's MS in Nutrition and Dietetics webpage.

Admission Requirements

Degree

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all the colleges/universities that you have attended. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the college/university seal over the flap. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.

If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.

Use our Transcript Lookup Tool to assist you in contacting your previous institutions.

Prerequisites

You must complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of B or better before starting the program:

• 1 year English composition and/or literature
• 1 semester general biology with lab to include cell and genetics.
• 2 semesters general chemistry, including an introduction to organic chemistry with lab, OR 1 semester general/inorganic chemistry with lab AND 1 semester organic chemistry with lab
• 1 semester biochemistry
• 1 semester human physiology or 2 semesters anatomy and physiology
• 1 semester general psychology
• 1 semester statistics
• 1 semester introductory nutrition

References: Two letters of recommendation. You may use our electronic letter of recommendation service. If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter, please remind them that it must include an ink signature and be submitted in a sealed envelope.

Personal statement/essay: Approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel, your short- and long-term career plans and how your background, experience, interest and/or values—when combined with a Drexel degree—will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.

Interview/portfolio: Admissions interview is not required.

CV/resume: Required

International Students: International applicants, as well as immigrants to the United States and United States permanent residents whose native language is not English and who have not received a bachelor's degree or higher in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. American citizens born on U.S. military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status. Otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

If you take the TOEFLiBT exam, you must have a minimum combined score for listening, writing and reading sections of 79 plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.

Degree Requirements

*

Course is taken multiple times over several terms.

**

Students may select from the following options: NFS 625 Nutrition and Exercise Physiology; NFS 640 Nutrition of the Schoolchild; NFS T680 Special Topics; NFS I799 Independent Study; CIT 501 Foundations of Phytotherapy; CIT 502 Foundations of Complementary and Integrative Therapies.

In addition to the list above, any 3-credit, graduate-level course that is related to Nutrition and Dietetics may be used to fulfill the requirement with prior approval from the Program Director.

Sample Plan of Study

Program Level Outcomes

Program Goal #1: To provide quality classroom and experiential learning to prepare graduates to become registered dietitian nutritionists and be employed in the field of dietetics.

• Objective #1: At least 80 percent of students complete the program within 32 months (150 percent of the planned program length).
  • Actual Outcomes (2019-2023): 100% 
• Objective #2: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • Actual Outcomes (2019-2023): 100%
• Objective #3: Graduates of the GP will rate aspects of their concentration supervised experiential learning experiences an average of "4" or better, on a scale of 1=poor to 5 =excellent.
  • New objective added in 2024  
• Objective #4: Employers of graduates of the GP will rate aspects of will rate ten aspects of the students' preparation for employment an average of "4" or better, on a scale of 1=poor to 5=excellent within 12 months of graduation. 
  • Actual Outcomes (2023): 4.79/5

Program Goal #2: To prepare graduates to take and pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam.

• Objective #1: At least 80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • Actual Outcomes (2021-2023): 100% 
• Objective #2: The program's one-year pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam for registered dietitian nutritionists is at least 80 percent.
  • Actual Outcomes (2022-2023): 100%

Program Goal #3: To increase diversity in the profession by facilitating the success of students from underrepresented groups.

• Objective #1: At least 25 percent of students will be from underrepresented groups.
  • Actual Outcomes (2022): 29%

Nutrition and Dietetics MS Faculty

Emeritus Faculty