Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are trained dietetics and nutrition professionals who have met the strict educational and experiential standards set forth by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. RDNs work in a wide variety of settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice. In order to be successful in their field, RDNs need a strong science foundation including courses in food and nutrition sciences, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy, chemistry, foodservice systems, business, medical nutrition therapy, behavioral social sciences and communication.
The mission of the Master of Science (MS) in Dietetics and Nutrition is to guide the future of dietetics and nutrition in Alaska through the preparation of competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists. Unique experiences are provided as the program places an emphasis on preparing advanced generalist RDNs for the cultural diversities and practice environments in Alaska.
The Dietetics and Nutrition (DN) didactic courses are delivered primarily online to facilitate access to the Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition statewide. Rotation sites for the supervised experiential learning (practicum) courses are located throughout the state of Alaska (at this time), and may include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Kenai, Soldotna, Sitka, Juneau, Bethel, Palmer, Wasilla, Kotzebue, Nome and Utqiagvik. Most rotation sites are located in health care settings.
Expenses beyond tuition generally include, but are not limited to, travel and housing for supervised experiential learning (practicum) rotations, activity fees, lab fees, student organization membership, immunizations, fingerprinting and criminal background checks, cost of ServSafe certification and food/supplies for some DN courses.
Two tracks are offered in the MS in Dietetics and Nutrition:
- Pre-Professional track: This track is for students who have already earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement (or the required prerequisite coursework) from a program accredited by ACEND and are seeking to complete the coursework and supervised experiential learning requirements (1000 hour of practicum work) to qualify for the RDN exam, integrated in one program.
- Current RDN track: This track is for students who are already credentialed as a RDN through the Commission on Dietetic Registration and are seeking additional study in dietetics and nutrition.
Licensure and/or Certification
This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see UAA’s Licensure and Certification website for more information.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- Submit the following admission requirements for both tracks of the MS in Dietetics and Nutrition (see the DN program website for the requirements for each admission requirement):
- DPD verification statement or submission of official transcripts documenting completion of all prerequisite courses
- Personal statement
- Current resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- A video interview
- Application to UAA graduate school
- International students seeking admission to UAA must provide proof of English proficiency.
- For the Current RDN track only, complete the following admission requirements:
- Copy of current RD/RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Upon successful admission to the Pre-Professional track, prior to starting the program, documentation of the pre-matriculation requirements is required. See the DN program website for the current list of pre-matriculation requirements. Pre-matriculation requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Necessary professional and health insurance coverage required to work in hospitals and health care facilities,
- All necessary security background checks to meet state and federal requirements,
- All necessary immunizations required to work in hospitals and other health care facilities.
The MS in Dietetics and Nutrition admissions process is competitive. See the Dietetics and Nutrition Program website for information on the application submission process and program advising information.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- Complete the program requirements below with a minimum grade of B or P:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| DN A615 | Public Health Nutrition | 3 |
| DN A630 | Applied Research in Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 |
| DN A641 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy - Ambulatory | 3 |
| DN A642 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy - Acute | 3 |
| DN A650 | The Business of Dietetics | 3 |
| DN A660 | Contemporary Practice in Dietetics and Nutrition | 3 |
| DN A698 | Dietetics & Nutrition Graduate Project | 3-6 |
| or DN A699 | Dietetics & Nutrition Graduate Thesis | |
| NSG A633 | Statistics for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Total | 24-27 | |
Complete one of the following tracks:
Pre-Professional Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Experiential Learning | 10 | |
| Experiential Learning requirement can be satisfied by any combination of the following courses with prior advisor approval: | ||
| Supervised Experiential Learning - Management | ||
| Supervised Experiential Learning - Public Health | ||
| Supervised Experiential Learning - Specialty | ||
| Supervised Experiential Learning - Medical Nutrition Therapy - Ambulatory | ||
| Supervised Experiential Learning - Medical Nutrition Therapy - Acute | ||
Advisor approved credit by examination or portfolio | ||
| Total | 10 | |
A minimum of 34 credits is required for the Pre-Professional track.
Up to 9 semester credits from a graduate program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics may be transferred to UAA and counted toward degree completion.
Current RDN Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor approved elective | 3-6 | |
| Total | 3-6 | |
A minimum of 30 credits is required for the Current RDN Track.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition will be able to:
- Apply foundational sciences to food and nutrition knowledge to meet the needs of individuals, groups and organizations.
- Apply and integrate client/patient-centered principles and competent nutrition and dietetics practice to ensure positive outcomes.
- Apply food systems principles and management skills to ensure safe and efficient delivery of food and water.
- Apply community and population nutrition health theories when providing support to community or population nutrition programs.
- Demonstrate leadership, business and management principles to guide practice and achieve operational goals.
- Integrate evidence-informed practice, research principles, and critical thinking into practice.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors and effective communication in all nutrition and dietetics interactions.