Didactic Program in Dietetics/Master of Science and Dietetic Internship (DPD/MS+DI)

(Program for students without undergraduate preparation in nutrition who want to be Registered Dietitians)

  • 2009-2010 Graduate Information Sessions

    Please choose one of the following sessions if you would like to visit:

    Sessions presented by faculty
    November 18, 2009: 5:30pm to 7:00pm
    January 8, 2010: 12:00pm to 1:30pm

    Sessions presented by recent graduates
    January 15, 2010: 8:00am to 9:00am
    January 22, 2010: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
    January 29, 2010: 8:00am to 9:00am

    All information sessions to take place at BU Sargent College, Room 200. For directions, click here

    To RSVP, please contact: Diane Wadman at: dwadman@bu.edu

Program Focus: Advanced study in human nutrition

Possible Career Paths: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, athletic clubs/wellness centers, public health programs, nutrition and health communication and consulting to professional sports teams, corporations and restaurants.

The Program

This program is for students without undergraduate backgrounds in nutrition who want to complete the didactic requirements for credentialing as a Registered Dietitian, a graduate level academic program in nutrition and an accredited DI. The DPD/MS is a five semester program. In the  “Required Courses” section, courses are classified based upon whether they meet DPD requirements, MS requirements or both. All DPD food and nutrition courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C. In order to satisfactorily complete the MS degree a minimum of 33 graduate credits must be completed with a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0. After satisfactory completion of the five semester DPD/MS program students will receive a DPD verification statement and be awarded an MS degree. They can then apply to, and will be pre-selected into, the DI program.  If they choose to accept the DI appointment, they cannot participate in the ADA National Computer Match. The DI begins in either January or June following successful completion of the DPD/MS. After satisfactory completion of the DI, which includes documentation of the completion of dietetic competencies and the MS/DI program evaluation, students will receive the DI verification statement.

The MS program prepares students to critically evaluate and implement the results of current research, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Students study with faculty involved in research, education, administration, professional practice, communication, and consulting. As part of their program, students develop a research proposal and complete an individually designed practicum. Practicum sites have included an eating disorders clinic, a nutrition support team at a large urban hospital, a private practice focused on nutrition for athletes, a clinical research center at a large teaching hospital, an outpatient cardiovascular clinic at a suburban teaching hospital and the offices of a nationally distributed nutrition newsletter.

The DPD is approved and the DI is accredited by the Commission Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), 120 South Riverside PLaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400. A car may be necessary to get to the DI site/ The DI is a 29-week, six credit course requiring payment of tuition. In addition, a $1,000 fee must be paid to the site.

The DI is a six-credit, 29 week, full-time course requiring payment of tuition. In addition, interns must pay a non refundable $1000 fee to their internship site during the first two weeks of the DI. A cay may be necessary to get to the DI site as some sites are approximately 40 miles from Boston.

The DI has clinical sites at major teaching and community hospitals in the greater Boston area. The clinical sites provide excellent opportunities for students to observe and participate in a wide variety of specialties such as nutrition support, pediatrics, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, diabetes, surgical care, out-patient counseling, food service and management.

Depending on their program, graduates can expect to pursue careers in a wide variety of settings. Clinical environments could include medical and surgical services of hospitals, outpatient clinics, cardiac rehabilitation centers and private practices. Graduates could also work in the fitness/wellness industry, the pharmaceutical industry, public health or as consultants to professional sports teams, corporations and restaurants.