{"id":32365,"date":"2011-08-17T13:19:07","date_gmt":"2011-08-17T17:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/?page_id=32365"},"modified":"2026-03-25T22:55:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T02:55:11","slug":"ms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/sar\/programs\/nutrition-dietetics\/ms\/","title":{"rendered":"MS in Nutrition Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Contact<\/h3>\n

For contact information, please visit the Graduate Programs in Nutrition website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The MS in Nutrition programs offer advanced study in human nutrition science, tailored to students\u2019 academic backgrounds, professional aspirations, and career goals. The program features distinct curricular tracks, each building on a core foundation in nutrition science. Students gain the skills to critically evaluate research, apply evidence-based solutions, and communicate effectively. Additionally, students develop a research proposal and have the opportunity to complete a practicum, providing hands-on experience in the field in an area of their interest.<\/p>\n

Programs of Study<\/h2>\n

MS in Nutrition\/Dietetic Internship (DI)<\/h3>\n

Students interested in earning the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential who hold either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) Verification Statement are eligible to apply to an MS and DI program. Boston University offers two options: the BU MS\/DI and the BU MS + Partnership DI.<\/p>\n

BU MS\/DI<\/h3>\n

The BU MS\/DI Program<\/a> is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In this program, students complete the requirements to fulfill the MS in Nutrition degree with a clinical concentration. After successful completion of at least 32 graduate-level units, including all core coursework, students begin 29 weeks of full-time supervised practice (the DI component) at one of the BU Affiliate DI sites, starting in either June or January. <\/span>The DI component is a 6-unit graduate course requiring payment of tuition.<\/p>\n

The BU Affiliate DI sites include major teaching hospitals and community hospitals in the greater Boston area and provide excellent opportunities for students to observe and participate in a wide variety of specialties, such as medicine, surgery, nutrition support, pediatrics, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, diabetes, surgical care, outpatient counseling, and food service management. The program typically has a fall entry. Based on availability, students may apply to begin the program in January.<\/p>\n

BU MS + Partnership DI<\/h3>\n

Sargent College partners with independently accredited DI programs to offer a combined academic and supervised practice experience. Students admitted to a Partnership DI program will complete the MS in Nutrition at BU and the DI at the Partnership DI site. After successful completion of at least 32 graduate-level units, including all core coursework, students begin the Partnership DI portion of the program. Students follow the policies and guidelines of the Partnership DI site. The MS start date, DI start date, program length, rotation schedule, and DI tuition and fees vary based on the Partnership DI program. Some Partnership DI programs require students to complete a clinical concentration. If a clinical concentration is not required, students may select another nutrition-related concentration in consultation with their faculty advisor.<\/p>\n

Please refer to the Graduate Programs in Nutrition section of our website for the most current information about our Partnership DI Programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

DPD\/MS\/DI<\/h3>\n

The DPD\/MS\/DI program<\/a> is designed for students who have not yet received a DPD or an FDE Verification Statement and wish to pursue the RDN credential. See the program website for the prerequisite requirements<\/a>. The program begins in September. Over the duration of the three-year program, students complete the requirements to fulfill two ACEND accredited programs: the DPD program and the BU MS\/DI. Students are then eligible to sit for the CDR national credentialing examination to become an RDN. Additional information is available at the ACEND website.<\/p>\n

After successful completion of the DPD and at least 32 graduate-level units, including all core coursework, students begin 29 weeks of full-time supervised practice at one of our BU Affiliate DI sites, starting in either January or June. This component of the program is a 6-unit graduate-level course requiring payment of tuition.<\/p>\n

The BU Affiliate DI sites include major teaching hospitals and community hospitals in the greater Boston area and provide excellent opportunities for students to observe and participate in a wide variety of specialties, such as medicine, surgery, nutrition support, pediatrics, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, diabetes, surgical care, outpatient counseling, and food service management.<\/p>\n

MS in Nutrition<\/h3>\n

The two-term MS in Nutrition program<\/a> is designed for a wide range of students. An undergraduate degree in nutrition or dietetics is not required for entry. See the program website for\u00a0prerequisite requirements<\/a>. This program is ideal for RDNs aiming to deepen their understanding of human nutrition science and advance their career; DPD or FDE students seeking a master\u2019s degree before applying to a standalone DI; those seeking a nutrition science\u2013based gap-year experience before applying to medical school, other professional programs, or PhD programs; and those pursuing a career in nutrition research, public health, community nutrition, or industry.<\/p>\n

In this program, with faculty support, students build their own concentration in an area of their interest.\u00a0Common concentrations include public health, sports nutrition, nutrition research, and clinical nutrition.*<\/p>\n

The MS in Nutrition program does not include a DI, which is required for the RDN credential. The provision of medical nutrition therapy, including advising or counseling clients, athletes, and\/or patients with chronic or acute health conditions, requires the RDN credential. Students who have not yet earned a DPD or FDE Verification Statement and aspire to become an RDN should apply to the DPD\/MS\/DI program.<\/p>\n

This program typically has a fall entry. Based on availability, students may apply to begin the program in January.<\/p>\n

*<\/em>A clinical concentration requires additional prerequisite coursework.<\/em><\/p>\n

Learning Outcomes<\/h4>\n