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Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences - Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences program is to educate and form entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists or dietetic practitioners to meet the core competencies for becoming servant leaders in health and wellness. With a concentration in community nutrition, graduates will be educated in the most rigorous, individualized, professional and comprehensive manner.

The MSNS program is designed with two concentrations:

1: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist: for students seeking to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN).

2: Thesis: for students who are already RDNs or who are not seeking RDN status.

Program Goals

  1.  The program will prepare graduates to be competent for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists.
  2. Graduates of the program will be compassionate, well-qualified professionals and servant leaders in health and wellness prepared to provide entry-level nutrition and dietetics services.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  1. Apply foundational sciences to food and nutrition knowledge to meet the needs of individuals, groups and organizations.
  2. Integrate evidence-based guidelines, critical thinking and effective communication in the comprehensive plan of care for various disease conditions, populations and cultures.
  3. Analyze food systems principles and management skills to ensure safe and efficient delivery of food and nutrition resources and services.
  4. Demonstrate leadership and service in guiding practices to support initiatives for the community.
  5. Exhibit professional responsibilities to provide safe, ethical and effective counseling by sharing gifts and talents through health and wellness education.

Program Length

The MSNS program has two concentrations: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (36 credit hours) and Thesis (30 credit hours).

To apply to the MSNS-RDN program students must submit their application via the Digital Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) by February 15th.  

For information on how to apply click here to be taken to DICAS site

 

Admissions Requirements for the MSNS Program are as follows:

1. Students must meet at least 1 of the following criteria and provide official transcripts:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from a US Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program 
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university with the following prerequisites earned grade of “C” or better:

Statistics (3 credit hours)
General chemistry (6 credit hours)
Organic chemistry (3 credit hours)
Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
Anatomy and physiology (6 credit hours)
Microbiology (3 credit hours)
Introduction to Nutrition (3 credit hours)
Nutrition Assessment (3 credit hours)
Human Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credit hours)
Nutrition and Disease (3 credit hours)

  Course equivalencies must be approved by MSNS program faculty.

  2.  Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is strongly recommended.

  3.  Documented evidence of service and leadership through work and/or volunteer experiences.

  4.  Three letters of recommendation (one from a professor, one from an employer and one from any other professional).

  5.  Resume (include work and/or volunteer experiences).

  6. Personal letter addressing the following:

  Why did you choose dietetics?

  What sets you apart from other applicants?

  What are your short- and long-term goals and strategies for achieving them?

  What strengths will you bring to the program and what areas will challenge you?

  How have your past experiences prepared you for an internship?

  Who has impacted your life the most? How or in what way?

  What characteristics of the University have drawn you to this internship?

Note: The GRE IS NOT REQUIRED

 

Year 1 - Fall

NUTR 5305Advanced Methods of Nutrition Assessment

3
NUTR 5305LAdvanced Methods of Nutrition Assessment Laboratory

1
NUTR 5310Community Nutrition Policy

3
NUTR 5315BioNutrition

3
Total Credit Hours:10

Year 1 - Spring

NUTR 5320Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy

3
NUTR 5325Advanced Food System and Food Security

3
NUTR 5710Dietetics Practicum I

4
IPGC 6330Essentials of Evidence-Informed Practice in Healthcare

3
Total Credit Hours:13

Year 1 - Summer

NUTR 5715Dietetics Practicum II

2
IPGC 6125Bioethics

1
Total Credit Hours:3

Year 2 - Fall

NUTR 6310Nutrition Education and Counseling Techniques

3
NUTR 6720Dietetics Practicum III

4
NUTR 6925Capstone Research Project

3
Total Credit Hours:10

Total credit hours for a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences = 36

Didactic courses = 1 credit hour = 15 hours

Supervised practice courses = 1 credit hour = 120 hours

  1. Completion of all requirements stated in the degree plan, with no more than 2 C's and a minimum GPA of 3.0
  2. Recommendation for the degree by the program director
  3. Meet all of the requirements of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University MSNS program
  4. Successful completion of a minimum of one (1) Service-Learning course;
  5. Completion and fulfillment of other requirements as noted in this catalog
  6. Clearance of all indebtedness to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, including the return of all materials borrowed from the University Library

Licensure

Requirements for professional licensure and certification can vary by state and can change without notice. All students should consult the state licensing body in the state in which they reside or seek to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state.

https://franu.edu/offices-services/distance-education/licensure-disclosures

Accreditation

The Nutritional Sciences Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is granted full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.