Why Study Nutrition and Dietetics at SHP?

Our program prepares graduates to become registration-eligible dietitian nutritionists providing population, community, and client-centered care through inter-professional work and evidence-based practice and client-centered nutrition care.

$90,630
* average salary of a MPH in Nutrition graduate.

* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Highlights

The new combined program builds on the School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition that ranks #6 in the nation for Public Health Nutrition.

We offer:

• Public Health and Nutrition core courses and in-depth rotations in community and population nutrition, as well as rotations in medical nutrition therapy, management and food service, advocacy, a culminating project focused on population health nutrition, and a capstone rotation in community/public health.
• The 55-credit program spanning only two academic years includes over 1000 hours of supervised practice hours. Credit for prior learning is not available from SHP.
• Upon completion of the program, students earn a Master of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Certificate (MPH-DI) and are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Credentialing Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists.

Beyond the Classroom

In-depth rotations in community and population nutrition, as well as rotations in medical nutrition therapy, management and food service, advocacy, a culminating project focused on population health nutrition, and a capstone rotation in community/public health.

Accreditation
Rutgers School of Health Professions, Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences is an accredited Dietetic Internship Certificate program. It is accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) through June 2024. The program has a site visit in November 2023 to continue accreditation after 2024.

The Rutgers School of Public Health is accredited to December 31, 2023, by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health. They have a site visit in late Fall 2023.

It is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program is designed to and does meet all state dietetics licensure and certification laws as some states may interpret their statutes differently. Please refer to the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s web page that has a listing of state and U.S. territory licensure and certification laws, see licensure by state table at State Licensure – Commission on Dietetic Registration (cdrnet.org).

State Authorization and Professional Licensing Disclosure:
State Authorization and Professional Licensing Disclosure: The Rutgers School of Health Professions Dietetic Internship combined with the School of Public Health’s Master in Public Health meets the professional licensing requirements for the following States: AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE,DC, FL,GA,HI, ID, IL, IN, IA,KS, KY, LA,ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO,MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD TH, TX, UT, VT, VA,WA, WV, WI, WY, PR. All States not listed above, to the best of our knowledge, do not require professional licensure to practice within our profession. NJ has licensure, but standards are still in progress.

For further information on ACEND accreditation, contact:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone (800)-877-1600 ext 5400
E-mail: acend@eatright.org
www.eatright.org/ACEND

Admission to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program is offered once a year for the fall term.

Admission Requirements

• Prospective students must be Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).
• International applicants must hold an equivalent credential that meets US standards set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (www.cdrnet.org).
• International students must submit additional materials including:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Official copy of a transcript evaluation prepared by a recognized transcript agency such as World Education Services
• A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required for admission. Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered on an individual basis.
• At least six months of clinical experience as an RDN by time of matriculation into program (September when the fall semester begins).
• Application materials include:
  • SHP application
  • An official copy of the transcript from the highest nutrition degree earned, and a certificate of completion/transcript from preprofessional practice program, if applicable
  • Copy of RDN card
  • Resume or CV
  • A letter of intent describing short and long-term goals for completing the MSCN program
  • One letter of recommendation from an individual with a graduate degree who is familiar with your professional work

Applicants who meet the admission criteria for the M.S. in Clinical Nutrition will be scheduled for an interview with select faculty in the Rutgers SHP Department of Clinical and Preventative Nutrition Sciences.

Questions? Email Program Director Rena Zelig.

Programmatic Required Fees (projected)

Projected Variable Fees

Students will earn a combined MPH and DI certificate upon successful completion of the two-academic year program. Receipt of degree and verification statement are dependent upon successful completion of the requirements for graduation with a grade of B- or better. Graduates are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) Credentialing Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists. Students are NOT given credit for prior learning.

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements
(All SHP courses are NUTR courses, others are SPH)

*It is anticipated that all public health courses will be available online, as hybrid, and in-person soon. The rotations and practicum capstone are onsite. SHP courses are available through learning management system, Canvas, and the videoconferencing system, Zoom.

What Are the Expectations For Technology Competency?

Technological competency is expected of all students. Students are required to be computer literate upon enrollment in the program. For technical support, go to https://shp.rutgers.edu/technology-and-facilities/.

For all students access to Internet services is required for the program. Students must have all the current recommended hardware requirements as specified for online learning: http://CANVAS.rutgers.edu. Students are required to purchase a headset with a built-in microphone and web cam to use with Zoom live sessions.

Combined MPH-DI Certificate Program Calendar

Students are expected to attend all classes and rotations unless they have an excused absence. The program has an orientation in April and August before the Fall start. Rotations are predominantly on weekdays, with class and rotations spread over five days a week.

Some weekends may be required during rotations and events like Rutgers Day. The program is a cohort model and students are full-time. The first year of the program predominantly follows the School of Public Health Calendar and year two, the School of Health Professions Calendar. Calendars are subject to change.