Nutrition and dietetics student with human anatomy drawn on a board in the background

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Registered Dietitian Track Online

Help individuals, groups and communities lead healthy lives and meet nutritional needs.

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Program Overview

A quick look at our 100% online master's degree nutrition dietetics

Gain advanced knowledge in this ACEND-accredited master's program in nutrition and dietetics that sets you apart in the field. You will focus on the management of nutritional support for patients in critical care, the traditional and emerging roles of health professionals as moral agents, how to be a positive leader in shaping nutrition health, education and policies at the local, state and national level and more.

The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics online program offers two exciting tracks: Registered Dietitian (RD) or Transitional. The first option builds on a bachelor's degree in nutrition from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program and 1,000 supervised practice hours and prepares you to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration's RD exam. The Transitional track is for practicing RDs who need/want a graduate degree, those who are new to the field or those who did not attend an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program and who are not seeking RD certification.

In the online nutrition and dietetics program, you will:

  • Become eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians (RD track)*
  • Conduct research in the field of nutrition
  • Address food and nutrition-related challenges for diverse populations
  • Comprehend the ethical issues facing nutrition professionals
In the online nutrition and dietetics program, you will:+
  • Become eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians (RD track)*
  • Conduct research in the field of nutrition
  • Address food and nutrition-related challenges for diverse populations
  • Comprehend the ethical issues facing nutrition professionals

Prepare for careers like these:

  • Registered Dietitian (RD track)
  • Food Nutrition Services Director
  • Public Health Nutrition Services
  • Nutrition Research
Prepare for careers like these:+
  • Registered Dietitian (RD track)
  • Food Nutrition Services Director
  • Public Health Nutrition Services
  • Nutrition Research

+

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $18,020
Program Duration: As few as 24 months
Credit Hours 53

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

Our low tuition helps keep your degree within reach

The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $18,020

Calendar

Follow these dates to apply, enroll and start classes

Our M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics is a flexible online program featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

Now enrolling:

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Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

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Admissions

Get ready to apply to A-state’s online master's in nutrition and dietetics

Arkansas State University has a streamlined admission process that makes it easy for you to enroll in the M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics online program. Enrollment specialists are available to walk you through the admission process, so you will be able to complete your application quickly.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Official transcripts
View all admission requirements +

To be granted admission into the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program, you must meet the following criteria:

Transitional Track

  • Bachelor's degree in any discipline
  • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale or a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours. Note that if you are accepted with a GPA lower than 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours or a cumulative 2.50 GPA, you will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9 hours taken in the program.
  • Successful completion of Basic Nutrition and Statistics courses with a B or better
  • Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended


    • Registered Dietitian (RD) Track

  • ACEND-accredited bachelor’s degree in dietetics with 1,000 supervised practice hours in the field
  • Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours
  • Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended


    • Application Submission Requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Submit a nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Have official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • If applying for the Registered Dietitian (RD) track, the following additional documents are required:
  • Current resume
  • Personal statement consisting of 500-1,000 words, highlighting your professional goals and the contributions you hope to make in the field of nutrition and dietetics
  • Three letters of recommendation/rating forms, which should be from former supervisors, faculty or preceptors

    • Submit all documents to:

    A-State Online
    P.O. Box 2520
    State University, AR 72467

    Fax: 870-972-3548
    Email: [email protected]

    For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:

    Academic Partnerships
    c/o Central Receiving
    2713 Pawnee St.
    Jonesboro, AR 72401

    Courses

    What you will study in our innovative online M.S. in dietetics and nutrition courses

    To earn your Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, you need to complete 36 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 12 credit hours of core courses, 15 credit hours of major requirements and nine credit hours of support courses.

    Expand All
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Provides an overview of the nation’s health care delivery system, including characteristics and challenges, with emphasis on the implications and opportunities for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), particularly related to payment structures for nutrition services.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    The process of designing, conducting, interpreting and evaluating nutrition research. Emphasis given to ethical issues and application of research to practice.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Examines methods used in nutritional epidemiological studies and reviews current knowledge related to diet and other nutritional determinants of long-term health and disease.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    This course addresses the theory and mechanics of data analysis related to basic and applied research in the health professions. The course includes the use of statistical analysis using computerized programs such as SPSS. Topics range from basic descriptive statistics to inferential analysis.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    This course examines models of leadership, both historical and contemporary, and how these models can be applied in the health care setting.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Advanced study of macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism and function in human health, especially factors that affect dietary requirements.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Focuses on the challenges of managing patients in the critical care setting, from the physiologic changes associated with metabolic stress to special needs met with nutrition support. Appropriate medical nutrition therapy in specific disease states included.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Emphasizes core concepts of clinical nutrition relevant to the nutrition care process which include pharmacology and nutrition support. Case studies and an evidence-based approach in various diseases are utilized to help students develop and apply clinical nutrition expertise.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    This course examines the traditional and emerging roles of the health professional as an individual moral agent and as a moral participant in team decisions. Methods of rational moral deliberation based on ethical theories and principles will be applied to ethical dilemmas.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Course is discussion driven by current issues and events related to food service operations and management.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Principles of management for professionals in food service operations and/or clinical nutrition services. Topics include management roles, tools, human resources, fiscal responsibilities and emerging administrative issues.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    An in-depth look at U.S. food policies and programs that affect food production, distribution, and consumption. Examines the dynamics of policy making and the influence of food companies on strategic decisions that undermine the nation’s health.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Supervised practice in foodservice settings. These rotations provide a foundation for beginning skills necessary in the practice of dietetics.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Supervised practice in food service settings with students applying principles of management and systems in providing services to individuals in healthcare facilities.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Supervised practice in various community agencies and organizations involving application of health and wellness principles for culturally diverse groups.
    Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 4
    Supervised practice in acute care, long-term care, and outpatient healthcare facilities providing experiences in the application of medical nutrition therapy and the nutrition care process.
    Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 4
    Supervised rotations in acute care and outpatient clinical settings. Patient care management and application of the nutrition care process and medical nutrition therapy principles; includes staff relief experience near the end of the practicum.

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