Overview
The Boston University (BU) MS in Nutrition and DI Programs are for students interested in earning the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential, who have completed a bachelor’s degree, and hold either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) Verification Statement from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited program. BU offers two options: The BU MS/DI and the BU MS + Partnership DI.
BU MS/DI
The BU MS/DI Program is accredited by 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.
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. These sites offer a range of geographic areas, size, medical acuity, and specialties to encompass the diverse needs and goals of our students.
Students in the BU MS/DI may complete the academic portion of the program on a full-time or part-time basis. The DI portion of the program must be completed on a full-time basis. Part-time students are not eligible for merit scholarships. We cannot guarantee the DI start-date for part-time students.
BU MS + Partnership DI
Sargent College partners with ACEND-accredited, free-standing DI programs to offer a seamless 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.
BU MS + Partnership DI programs are only available on a full-time basis.
Highlights
MS in Nutrition
- In-person, STEM eligible graduate degree at a large urban research university
- A minimum of 32 graduate level credits
- Coursework to deepen foundation in human nutrition science and nutrition metabolism
- Research experiences to inform evidence-based nutrition practice
- Research experiences to inform evidence-based nutrition practice
- Access to expert faculty involved in cutting-edge research, interprofessional education, medical nutrition therapy, media, and more
- Cross-college Interprofessional Education Program
- A semester-long practicum course designed to customize your experience to an area of interest. This is required for the BU MS/DI. It is optional for the BU MS + Partnership DI programs.
BU and Partnership DIs
The full-time supervised practice portion of the MS in Nutrition and DI programs, also referred to as the DI, begins after successful completion of at least 32 graduate-level credits, including all core coursework, for students in compliance with all Nutrition Program Standards.
🔗 Learn more about the BU MS/DI
🔗 Learn more about our DI Partnerships
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).
Academic Calendar
Students will observe the University calendar during their graduate coursework.
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