Curriculum and Degree Requirements

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Degree Requirements

In the curriculum section above, all courses are required.

The successful completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), all MS in Nutrition coursework, which includes core content and at least 32 graduate-level units, and the Dietetic Internship (DI), are required for degree conferral and for eligibility to sit for the CDR national credentialing examination to become an RDN. All programs must be completed within seven years of matriculation.

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

DPD Coursework

DPD course requirements are categorized as science or professional. See the student handbook for course categorization.

  • DPD science courses, including prerequisites, must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
  • DPD professional courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B–
  • DPD professional courses (maximum of two 4-unit courses) petitioned for transfer from another university must be completed with the minimum grade of B–

Remediation: A student may repeat a DPD science or DPD professional course only once to meet the above requirements. If a course is repeated to meet a DPD minimum grade requirement, the grade in the repeated course must meet the minimum grade requirement.

View the DPD/MS/DI prerequisites.

ACEND Knowledge Requirements for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (KRDNs)

Students must successfully complete all required KRDN activities associated with the DPD as described on course syllabi and in the student handbook. For assignments and activities that are tied to ACEND KRDNs, a grade of C or the equivalent is required  Remediation: Students earning less than a C will be required to complete a faculty-identified remediation until competence is demonstrated in this area.  In such cases, the original grade the student earned will be used to determine the course grade.

After successful completion of the DPD requirements, students will receive a DPD Verification Statement.

MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI)

    The successful completion of the DPD, the DI, and all MS coursework, which includes core content and at least 32 graduate-level units, are required for degree conferral and for eligibility to sit for the CDR national credentialing examination to become an RDN.

    MS in Nutrition

    • Successful completion of a minimum of 32 graduate-level units.
    • At least 25 graduate-level units must be taken at BU as a degree candidate. An overall minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher must be attained in graduate-level coursework.
    • Most graduate courses are 600-level or above. In consultation with a faculty advisor, graduate elective or concentration course requirements may be fulfilled with 500-level and above courses.
    • No grade below C will count toward degree requirements.
    • The maximum number of units with a C or C+ is 8 units. If a student achieves a grade lower than a C, they must retake the course. Remediation: A student may repeat a course only once to meet the above requirements. If a course is repeated to meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement, the units and grades from both courses are included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. If a course is repeated to meet a course minimum grade requirement, the grade in the repeated course must meet the minimum grade requirement.
    • SAR HS704 requires a grade of B- or above and cannot be repeated. Failure to receive a grade of B- or above will prohibit entry into the BU Affiliate DI.
    • A graduate nutrition practicum is required. The practicum (SAR HS 811) is graded on a Pass/Fail basis and cannot be repeated. Failure to receive a passing grade (equivalent of B- or above) will prohibit entry into the BU Affiliate DI.
    • Graduate coursework may be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Part-time students are not eligible for merit scholarships. We cannot guarantee the DI start-date for part-time students.

    Dietetic Internship

    • Students begin ACEND Competencies for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (CRDNs) in their final semester of graduate coursework..
    • For assignments and activities that are tied to ACEND CRDNs in graduate coursework a grade of C or the equivalent is required.  Remediation: Students earning less than a C will be required to complete a faculty-identified remediation until competence is demonstrated in this area.  In such cases, the original grade the student earned will be used to determine the course grade.
    • After successful completion of the DPD and all graduate-level coursework as described above, students begin 29 weeks of full-time supervised practice at one of our BU Affiliate DI sites.
    • Students complete all remaining CRDNs during their full time DI.
    • This component of the program is a 6-credit graduate-level course requiring payment of tuition.
    • The DI must be completed on a full-time basis.

    The successful completion of the DPD, all MS coursework, and all DI requirements are required for degree conferral.

    Upon successful completion of all MS and DI requirements, students receive a Master’s degree and an ACEND DI Verification Statement, confirming their eligibility to take the CDR national exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

    Prior Learning Policy

    Visit the DPD/MS/DI program Prior Learning Policy page to learn about the criteria and procedures used to evaluate credit for prior coursework. Prior experiential learning (e.g., internships, practica, etc.) will not be evaluated for use toward academic credit hours for the DPD/MS/DI program.