Nutrition and Dietetics, MS

Hillary Roberts, Dietetic Internship Program Director
Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Room 408
Phone: 417-836-8884
HRoberts@MissouriState.edu

Program Accreditation

The Missouri State University Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Program has been granted Full Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists or nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered. ACEND serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. Programs meeting those standards are accredited by ACEND.

Program goals

1. Program graduates will be competent for practice as entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
2. Program graduates will demonstrate life-long learning skills which will enhance the nutrition and dietetic profession and demonstrate leadership in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) program provides knowledge and skills in the dietetics field with an emphasis on population health. This program will prepare dietetic professionals to work at various settings: community and government agencies, medical care facilities, and educational institutions. Graduates specialize in nutrition and dietetics of various population health issues, are able to assess population health needs, and design, implement and evaluate programs, systems or environments to aid in improving the health of diverse groups of population.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for Non-Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

1. Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a “Verification Statement” or “Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree” and/or ACEND-approved “Minimum Academic Requirements” within five years of application.
2. Completion of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 over the last 60 hours of academic work taken.
4. Completed application form.
5. A personal philosophy statement addressing the applicant’s professional career goals and how the MSND program will help accomplish these goals, in addition to discussing the applicant’s strengths and areas of improvement.
6. Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 79 on the internet-based within two years prior to application on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL website is http://www.toefl.org.
7. Three written recommendations received with the application must be without significant reservations/concern.
8. Dietetic academic reference
9. Work or volunteer reference
10. Final reference is the applicant’s choice
11. Resume which includes:
12. Work experience in dietetics, including paid and volunteered work
13. Involvement in college and/or community activities
14. After the application period closes, the selection committee will review all of the applications and select students for a virtual interview.
15. Following admission to the Missouri State MSND, students will be admitted to the Graduate College and the application fee will be waived.

Upon acceptance to the MSND, additional requirements include:

1. Meet technical standards of the program in order to successfully undertake the course of study including evidence of good health. These standards are available upon request from the program.
2. Evidence of immunization or vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases to include MMR, tetanus, TB test, Hepatitis A, and a complete Hepatitis B series including a titer demonstrating immunity. Other vaccinations may be required such as a seasonal flu vaccine.
3. Evidence of professional liability and health insurance, including hospitalization.
4. Provide documentation of negative tuberculosis status or evidence of appropriate follow-up.
5. Hold and maintain infant, child and adult CPR certification valid throughout the program.
6. Hold ServSafe certification valid throughout the program.
7. Students must have reliable transportation and provide evidence of vehicle liability insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the State of Missouri.
8. Student membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
9. Submit a drug screening test and criminal record check* and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 324.217 or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered dietitian nutritionist.

*Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by the Department of Public Health and Sports Medicine.

Requirements for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

1. Provide copy of Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist (RDN) identification card issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an ACEND accredited college or university.
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 over the last 60 hours of academic work taken.
4. A personal philosophy statement, two pages maximum, addressing the applicant’s professional career goals and how the program will help accomplish these goals, in addition to discussing the applicant’s strengths and areas of improvement.
5. Students for whom English is a second language must earn a score of 79 or higher on the internet-based within two years prior to application on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL website is www.ets.org/toefl.
6. Two written recommendations.
7. Academic reference
8. Work or volunteer reference
9. Resume which includes paid and volunteered work experience in dietetics.

Full admission to the MSND program is competitive; not all that apply will be admitted. Students who are not admitted into the program may apply for the next application deadline.

MSND Transfer of Credit Policy

On a case-by-case basis, Missouri State may accept graduate credit earned at other regionally accredited institutions or well-established international institutions. The Missouri State University Graduate transfer policy allows transfer credit to count for up to 30% of the program of study. Students who are RDNs may transfer hours for DTN 740 , DTN 741 , DTN 742 , and DTN 743 . A student requesting transfer credit is responsible for providing an official transcript and copy of course syllabus from the school from which the student received the academic credit. Acceptance of transfer credits occurs through recommendation of the student’s major advisor and approval of the Graduate College. Grades on transfer courses accepted in the degree program are included in the overall graduate grade point average.

MSND Work Experience Related Policy

Work experience will not be awarded credits required to graduate from the MSND program.

MSND Prior Learning Assessment Policy

For students admitted to the MSND program who are registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), and completedtheir Dietetic Internship practicum courses in a Bachelor of Science and Dietetic Internship coordinated program, prior learning assessment may be used to grant course credit for DTN 740 , DTN 741 , DTN 742 , and DTN 743 .

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) will be granted once the student submits their Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) logs to the Dietetic Internship Program Director. RDNs are required to complete 75-continuing professional education units (CPEUs) every five years to demonstrate currency in the field of nutrition and dietetics. All logs since the time of becoming credentialed must be submitted for review.

Retention Requirements

After admission into the MSND Program, a student must achieve the following for retention in the program:

1. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than 9 semester hours of graduate work below a grade of “B”, and no hours of graduate work below a “C”.
2. Receive average (3) or higher rating on all performance evaluations and earn 80% or higher on all coursework that assess the required competencies as set forth by ACEND. All work must be completed, and competencies met within 150% of the original time of completion or 3 years.
3. Demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity and integrity, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of healthcare professionals.
4. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge.
5. Maintain current health and liability insurance.

Students who fail to meet the retention criteria may:

1. Be placed on academic or clinical probation in the MSND Program, or
2. Be dismissed from the Program, based on the judgment of the majority of the MSND faculty. Students who fail to meet the probationary criteria or are dismissed from the program are not eligible for readmission into the MSND Program. Students have the right to follow the University’s appeal process on any disciplinary sanction received.
3. Students should refer to the Missouri State University Dietetics Graduate Student Handbook for additionalpolicies and procedures.