Degree Requirements

The DPD/MS is a five-semester program. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a DPD Verification Statement and be awarded an MS degree. The Director, Dietetic Internship and the Director, Programs in Nutrition will initiate the process of assessing and reviewing your prior learning in these courses before beginning the Dietetic Internship program.  You are then able to move into the Dietetic Internship program. After successfully completing the Dietetic Internship (DI), you will receive the Dietetic Internship Verification Statement and be eligible to take the national registration exam.

Coursework and Schedule

In the Required Courses section, courses are classified by whether they meet DPD requirements, MS degree requirements, or both. To successfully complete the degree program, obtain a Verification Statement, and proceed into the Dietetic Internship, all DPD PROFESSIONAL coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.  Coursework transferred must be from an accredited 2 or 4-year college/university with an ACEND accredited DPD program.  No more than 8 credits of DPD Professional coursework may be accepted toward DPD Professional coursework requirements.  In addition, all DPD SCIENCE coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of a C-. Coursework transferred here must be from an accredited 2 or 4-year college/university.  No more than 16 credits of DPD Science coursework may be accepted toward DPD Science coursework requirements. Students are eligible to receive a Master of Science degree upon completing a minimum of 32 credits of coursework at the 700–level and above. At least 25 credits must be taken at Boston University as a degree candidate.

A student may complete the academic portion of the program on a full or part-time basis; the DI portion must be completed on a full-time basis. The entire program must be completed within five years of matriculation.

The DI begins in either January or June following successful completion of the DPD/MS. After successfully completing the DI, which includes documentation of the completion of dietetic internship competencies and the MS+DI program evaluation, students will receive the DI Verification Statement which allows them to take the national registration exam.

Grade Point Average

An overall grade point average of B (3.0) or higher must be attained in graduate courses (700-level or above).

  • In graduate courses, no grade below C is acceptable for credit.
  • No more than eight credits of C or C+ work will be counted toward the MS degree and the acceptability of such grades in required courses is subject to faculty approval.
  • In the event of an unacceptable grade, no course may be repeated more than once.
  • SAR HS 811 is graded on a pass/fail basis, and may not be taken more than once. Pass indicates B– or better work. Other graduate courses must be taken for a letter grade.