Nutrition and Dietetics (BS + MS)

Overview

Become a dietitian with our combined BS+MS degree in nutrition and dietetics and take on a meaningful role in the lives of others as you enter an in-demand industry.

As a student, you’ll become an expert in food and nutrition. If you have an affinity for biology and other sciences, you should consider a career in nutrition and dietetics. You’ll use evidence-based practices and incorporate human biology and biochemistry to understand how the body utilizes the nutrients from the foods we eat.

After successfully completing the academic and supervised practice requirements of the program, you will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration, Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Our program meets the accreditation requirements set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the agency for programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists.

Our graduates help a diverse group of people prevent and manage diseases as well as maintain healthy lifestyles. They also go on to careers in a wide range of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, government agencies, and public wellness programs, as well as athletic programs and schools.

Program Description

The Nutrition and Dietetics program is a five-year program which meets the knowledge requirements and competencies for entry-level practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The program is divided into two phases: the pre-professional phase (years 1 through 3) and the ACEND-accredited coordinated program phase which begins in the fall term following year 3 of study.

As long as you maintain the college and department academic standards you will earn guaranteed placement in the coordinated program. Maximum accreditation class size limit is thirty students per cohort.
 

Graduation & Program Completion Requirements

After completing all program requirements you will be awarded both a BS and a MS degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and you will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national credentialing examination to become a RDN. In New York State, graduates who obtain the RDN credential are eligible to apply to receive the Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (CDN) credential. Each graduate receives a verification statement, which documents completion of all academic, supervised practice, and degree requirements for the coordinated program and D’Youville.

Why Choose D'Youville?

  • You'll pay undergraduate tuition for graduate studies in our combined BS + MS program
  • Our unique interprofessional education lab offers the opportunity for you to practice treating patients alongside a team of students from 7 other healthcare majors at D'Youville — all under the supervision of a skilled instructor
  • Our concentration, Advanced Nutrition Practice, provides higher-level coursework and experiences in pediatrics, critical care, business, community nutrition, and research
  • You will earn a master's degree which will be required to take the Commission on Dietetic registration exam in 2024

Listen and explore as students and faculty explain what makes a D'Youville education different and how small class sizes, hands-on learning, and a caring community help students succeed.

Play video: D'Youville Nutrition & Dietetics video clip

Supervised Practice Experience

Once you're accepted into the Nutrition and Dietetics program and meet academic standards you will be guaranteed placement in the professional phase of the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics. 

All supervised practice placements are coordinated by the department. Students are not required to find their own practice sites.

The professional phase of our Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics begins in the fall after the third year of study. In this portion of the program, classroom learning is combined with supervised practice experiences. Over the course of four semesters, you will be provided with more than 1000 hours of supervised practice in a variety of areas, including medical nutrition therapy, food service management, and community nutrition.

The program is affiliated with more than 50 supervised practice sites, including teaching and community hospitals, extended care facilities, schools, corporate organizations, nutrition businesses, and community agencies. We continually add new sites within driving distance of D'Youville.

We also offer an international nutrition supervised practice experience, in which practice is provided in London, England or Sydney, Australia. More information can be found on the /academics/study-abroad/ site.

Participating in the coordinated program will require moderate additional costs. See a full list on the Fees page.

Upon graduation you’ll be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians in order to earn your registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential.

Explore Courses In Dietetics

  • Explore nutrition counseling and communication for behavior modification and client-centered therapy. Learn to apply health behavior models form the field psychology, a holistic view of health, and cultural competency to help patients.

  • Apply the knowledge you’ve learned in the classroom to gain hands-on practice in the field as you prepare to take the credentialing examination and start your career in the nutrition and dietetics profession.

  • Discover the business and entrepreneurship of the nutrition profession. Plan, implement, and evaluate nutrition intervention programs. Acquire the knowledge, skills, and resources you’ll need to start and run your own private practice.

Transfer and Graduate Student Curriculum

If you have previous college credit or a bachelor's degree from another school, you may be able to reduce the amount of time required to complete this program. Learn more and plan your education using our example course sequences based on different admission entry points.

Admission Requirements

At D'Youville, we are committed to selecting students who are academically well-rounded and committed to meeting the challenges of a high-quality education. If you have been successful in a traditional college preparatory program in high school, you should be well-prepared for the academic challenges at D'Youville. While we don't require you to submit ACT or SAT test scores, if you have taken or intend to take a standardized test we encourage you to submit your scores if you'd like them to be evaluated as part of your application.

Admission requirements reflect the structure of the program as a five-year B.S./M.S. degree.  All applicants receive a holistic review of admission materials.  Applicants are admitted on a competitive, space-available basis, based on the requirements noted below. Maximum accreditation class size limit is thirty (30) students per cohort.

Additional Requirements:

  • FTIC and transfer students into years 1,2 and 3 need a GPA of 2.5/4.0
  • Students transferring into year 4 or 5 require a GPA of 3.0/4.0

Annual Physical Exam & Immunizations

Applicants should review the D’Youville Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and other health requirements.  Students enrolled in the Coordinated Program must provide evidence of annual physical examination, immunizations, and vaccinations as required by the program and supervised practice facilities.  Students must meet program and supervised practice facility health requirements, otherwise students may not be able to complete D’Youville’s Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program.

Annual Physical Exam & Immunizations

First Time In College Students

First time in college freshman applying for admission into the pre-professional phase of the nutrition and dietetics program requirements:

  • Official high school transcripts;
  • High school average of at least 80 percent or 2.7 on a 4.0 scale;
  • Successful completion of the following high school courses: three years of math, history, English and one year of biology/living environment and one year of chemistry.

While we don't require you to submit ACT or SAT test scores, if you have taken or intend to take a standardized test we encourage you to submit your scores if you'd like the scores to be evaluated as part of your application.

Transfer Students to Pre-Professional Program

Transfer students applying for admission into the pre-professional phase of the nutrition and dietetics program requirements: 

  • Official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges/universities
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required to be accepted into years one and two of the program.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required to be accepted into year three of the program.
  • Minimum of a C (2.0) grade in all pre-requisite courses for the nutrition and dietetics major completed at a previous institution (Refer to Course Requirements For the Major below).
  • Minimum of a B - (2.67) grade in all nutrition and dietetics courses at the 100-400 levels completed at a previous institution (Refer to Course Requirements For the Major below).

While we don't require an admission essay or letters of recommendation, we will review these materials if provided.

Accreditation

  • D'Youville College's Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®).  ACEND® is the accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists.

    ACEND® can be contacted by:

    • Email: ACEND@eatright.org
    • Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
    • Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza
      Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995

    ACEND® serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. ACEND® is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education a Title IV gatekeeper. 

Certification

The D’Youville College Nutrition and Dietetics Program meets the academic requirements to be a Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (CDN) in New York State. Successful completion of the D’Youville College Nutrition and Dietetics Program and the RDN examination qualifies individuals to be a New York State CDN. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements go to the Commission Dietetic Registration website. 

Careers

Registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who draw on their science-based education and experience to help individuals make positive lifestyle changes tailored to their unique needs. Working in a number of areas, RDs and RDNs advance the nutritional health of Americans and people around the world.

Traditionally, registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) worked in hospitals, nursing homes, and government agencies. Currently, RDs and RDNs work in a wide range of settings including sports nutrition and wellness programs, elementary and high schools, food and nutrition-related business and industries, private practice, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and research facilities, in addition to traditional sites.

Career Outlook

The rising interest in the role of food and nutrition in promoting health and wellness, coupled with the importance of diet in preventing and treating illness, has resulted in an increased demand for dietitians and nutritionists.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for dietitians and nutritionists will increase 16% through 2024, a rate which the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls “much faster than average.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report notes that these statistics are based on a dietitian or nutritionist with a Bachelor’s degree, and that job prospects are even better for dietitians and nutritionists with an advanced degree. The MS conferred to graduates of the nutrition and dietetics program is considered an advanced degree.

For more information about the job outlook for dietitians and nutritionists, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.