PSM in Applied Nutrition – Dietetics Emphasis
Online
coursework
Summer
Entry Term
Tucson & Distance
supervised learning tracks
Attend an information session
When: Last Wednesday of every month at 12 pm AZ time.
NOTE: September’s meeting will be held on the 19th of September at 12 pm AZ time. All Registrants will receive an email with the correct Zoom link a week before the session.
This session is ideal for students seeking details on coursework, admissions, the application process, locating site preceptors, and the program timeline. Attendance is not required and does not affect admission status.
About the PSM in Applied Nutrition – Dietetics Emphasis
The PSM in Applied Nutrition – Dietetics Emphasis is designed for those committed to advancing their careers in dietetics and nutrition. This comprehensive program blends online coursework with hands-on learning experiences at community, clinical, and food service sites, ensuring you gain the practical skills needed to excel as an RDN. With 1,000 hours of supervised experiential learning, you'll be well-prepared to meet the challenges of the field and make a significant impact on public health and wellness.
This program offers a streamlined path to achieving your RDN credential, with a national exam as the final step following completion of the coursework and experiential hours. The flexibility of online learning allows you to balance your studies with other commitments, making it an ideal choice for both current professionals and recent graduates. Graduates are equipped to pursue various roles in clinical settings, community health, food service management, and beyond, making a meaningful difference in the field of nutrition.
Approved graduate program for RDN exam
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The CDR also requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised experiential fieldwork accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates must also obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Graduate Program (GP) at the University of Arizona are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.
What to expect from the program
The 30-credit program spans three semesters, starting with foundational knowledge in the summer and advancing through supervised experiential learning in the fall and spring. You'll complete over 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in professional settings, with additional simulation activities embedded in the curriculum. Designed to meet ACEND standards, this program ensures you achieve the competencies required for a successful career in dietetics.
Dietitian career outlooks
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to promote health and control disease. They may supervise food services, provide personalized nutrition counsel, or conduct research. Graduating from our PSM in Applied Nutrition – Dietetics Emphasis program prepares you for a successful career in this growing field. Employment for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow by 7% between 2022–2032, with a median annual pay of $69,680 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023).
More program information
Contact us at grad-nsw@arizona.edu with questions regarding the PSM in Applied Nutrition – Dietetics Emphasis.
The PSM in Applied Nutrition – Dietetics Emphasis program at the University of Arizona is a nationally accredited Graduate Program by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL. 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, email: ACEND@eatright.org.
This program is approved to accept up to 30 students per year.
Our mission is to provide advanced knowledge in nutrition and skills in dietetics, to successfully prepare competent graduates for entry-level practice as registered dietitians / registered dietitian nutritionists in the state and nation.
Goal #1: Graduates will receive a rigorous and comprehensive education to excel in the nutrition & dietetics workforce.
Objectives:
- At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 1.5 years (150% of the program length)
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 50% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation
- At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion
- The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%
- At least 80% of employers surveyed will rate the program graduates as “above average” "excellent" or "outstanding" in preparation for entry-level practice in a nutrition- or dietetics-related field
- At least 80% of program graduates will rate the overall quality of the program as "excellent" or "good"
Goal #2: Graduates will engage in top-tier supervised experiential learning experiences aimed at developing the skills, knowledge and beliefs necessary for success in the nutrition and dietetics field.
Objectives:
- The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%
- At least 80% of employers surveyed will rate the program graduates as “above average” "excellent" or "outstanding" in preparation for entry-level practice in a nutrition- or dietetics-related field
- At least 80% of program graduates will rate the overall quality of the program as "excellent" or "good"
*Outcome data available upon request.
Applicants to the PSM in Applied Nutrition - Dietetics Emphasis program must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- DPD Verification Statement OR specified prerequisite coursework (listed below)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA overall in undergraduate degree or over the last 60 units of enrollment
Additionally, because the didactic coursework is delivered exclusively online, the following student characteristics are essential to successfully completing the program:
- Self-directed, independent learner
- Able to manage time effectively
- Effective written and verbal communication
- Able to utilize a wide range of resources effectively
Required prerequisite coursework (grade of C or higher):
- Anatomy / physiology: 2 semesters (2-semester of anatomy/physiology, i.e., PSIO 201 & 202)
- Biochemistry: 1 semester (course must require organic chemistry as prerequisite)
- Medical Nutrition Therapy / Clinical Nutrition: minimum 2 semesters (must include Nutrition Care Process and Terminology - if taking at the University of Arizona, the 3-course MNT series is required - NSC 325, NSC 425, NSC 435)
- Food Science: 1 semester
- Macronutrient Metabolism: 1 semester
- Food Service Management: 1 semester OR Serv-Safe MANAGER Certification
- Statistics
Recommended prerequisite coursework
- Community / Public Health Nutrition
- Counseling / Nutrition Counseling
- Additional coursework in Medical Nutrition Therapy / Clinical Nutrition
Technical requirements
Visit the University of Arizona Online to learn more about technical requirements and resources.
Applications are accepted using DICAS (Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System). The UA Grad App and $90 fee are also required. Applications due in Grad App and DICAS January 15, 2025.
Application fees
The initial fee is $65.00 for the first application and $25.00 for each additional application.
Application requirements:
The GRE is not required for admission to this program. In order to apply to this program, you must already hold a bachelor's degree, or will be earning a bachelor's degree by the end of the Spring Semester. Transcripts including degree posting are required to be sent to the Graduate College by 30 days after the start of the program in June.
In DICAS, you will be asked to upload and complete the following information:
- Most recent transcripts from ALL Universities / College attended. Note: If your degree is not yet posted, you will be require to submit an updated transcript with degree posted by 30 days after the start date of the program in June.
- Statement of Purpose
- Professional Resume
- Three letters of recommendation. You will provide the email addresses for three recommenders, and DICACS will reach out to them with directions for uploading the letter.
- Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement OR Required Coursework Form
- If you are applying for the Distance Track, you will need to upload a Preceptor Agreement for clinical, community, and food service management supervised experiential learning sites
Handbook
Curriculum
The program starts yearly in the summer semester and ends yearly in the spring semester (view the academic calendar). The following courses are required to earn the Professional Science Masters in Applied Nutrition - Dietetics Emphasis:
- NSC 509: Advanced Nutrition Metabolism and Disease (3 units)
- NSC 519: Advanced Applied Nutritional Sciences (3 units)
- NSC 540: Nutrition Interventions (3 units)
- NSC 535: Advanced Clinical Nutrition (3 units)
- NSC 558: Advanced Foodservice Management (3 units)
- NSC 562: Professional Ethics and Best Practices in Nutrition Education and Counseling (3 units)
- NSC 563: Preparing for Professional Dietetics Practice I (1 unit)
- NSC 564: Preparing for Professional Dietetics Practice II (1 unit)
- NSC 570: Agriculture and Food Literacy for Nutrition and Health Professionals (3 units)
- NSC 693A: Professional Experiential Learning in Dietetics - Community Nutrition (2 units)
- NSC 693B: Professional Experiential Learning in Dietetics - Food Service Management (2 units)
- NSC 693C: Professional Experiential Learning in Dietetics - Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 units)
Upon completion of the program, the degree granted is a Professional Science Masters in Applied Nutrition Dietetics. The degree requirements, including completion of 30 units of coursework including supervised experiential learning of a minimum of 1000 hours. A GPA of 3.0 is required in order to be awarded a degree from the Graduate College.
After the degree is conferred by the University of Arizona, the verification statements will be provided to program graduates by the program director. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will be notified by the program director within 4 weeks of students completing supervised practice requirements and posting of degree, at which time the graduate assumes responsibility for arranging to take the exam.
Students are encouraged to take the exam promptly after completing the program. "Study Periods" lasting more than one month after becoming eligible to take the exam are not recommended.
Courses for the PSM in Applied Nutrition - Dietetics Emphasis cost $950 per unit, or $28,500 total, for Residents and Non-Residents.
TA- or GA-funded positions are not available at this time.
Students who are eligible for Federal Financial Aid are encouraged to apply for assistance, if needed. Financial assistance by way of scholarships can be accessed via Scholarship Universe.
A distinctive feature of all graduate programs accredited by ACEND under the Graduate Program standards is the “supervised experiential learning (SEL)” requirement. Supervised experiential learning gives the students the opportunity to actively apply their knowledge of nutrition and dietetics in nutrition practice settings under the guidance of professional preceptors.
As a part of ACEND accreditation requirements, SEL hours are done concurrently with the graduate coursework during the fall and spring term. This supports active learning in clinical, community and food service management sites while enrolled in the PSM-Applied Dietetics Emphasis.
Students will complete a total of 1000 hours of supervised experiential learning. Prior to admission into the program, applicants not located in Tucson, Phoenix, or Yuma are required to secure their SEL sites and submit preceptor agreements for all three (3) sites along with their application. Through the SEL hours, students gain valuable hands-on experience that can be directly connected to concepts in the graduate courses they are taking during the program and preparing them for professional practice as an RDN.
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