To learn more, email Interim Program Director
Jane Ziegler at MPHinN.DIprogram
@shp.rutgers.edu or
call 973-972-3274.
Combined Master of Public Health Degree in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Certificate
Currently not accepting applications for Fall 2025
The graduate dietetic internship certificate at the School of Health Professions (SHP) and the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH) collaborated to create this two-academic year combined program. The program is based in New Jersey. At the end of the two years the students are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist examination and obtain a degree in MPH in Public Health Nutrition (PHN).
This new option builds on the 50 years of dietetic education at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, that merged with Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in 2013*. Students applying must have a DPD (didactic program in dietetics) Verification Statement completed prior to the Fall of the year starting the program.
*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.
To learn more, please email Program Director Julie O’Sullivan Maillet at MPHinN.DIprogram@shp.rutgers.edu.
Program 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
Graduates from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) bachelor’s degree can apply for this combined Master in Public Health in Public Health Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Certificate. Our students will be prepared to meet a growing demand for well-educated registered dietitian nutritionists who have expertise assessing the nutritional and dietary needs of communities and populations, and readiness to design and evaluate programs and policies aimed at addressing those needs.
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 two academic years includes over 1000 hours of supervised practice hours. Credit for prior learning is not available from SHP. View the Academic Standing Policy (https://apps.shp.rutgers.edu/projects/shrpweb-cf/policies/policy_view.cfm?view=P&coding=3.1).
- 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.
Program Mission, Goals, and Objectives
Mission Statement: The mission of the MPH-DI certificate is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in nutrition and dietetics education, clinical and client practice, research, and service. Our definition is adopted from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and is the provision of direct nutrition care to individuals and/or groups which encompass nutrition care in any practice setting. The MPH-DI certificate extends that mission to explore the complex factors that affect population health and impact health equity and disease prevention.
We will prepare students to become registration eligible dietitian nutritionists providing population, community, and client-centered care through interprofessional work and evidence-based practice and client-centered nutrition care.
Objectives for Goal One:
- At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 30 months (150% of the program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 70% will be employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- During their first year of employment, program graduates will be ranked by at least 80% of employers who respond to our employer survey as “satisfactory” or better in professional knowledge and skills as compared to the expected competency of entry-level RDNs.
- 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 90% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- At least 90% of program graduates who respond to the alumni survey will indicate that they routinely participate in interprofessional population, community, or client-centered care activities.
- At least 80% of employers who respond to the employer survey will indicate that our alumni apply evidence-based practice and client-centered care.
Objective for Goal Two:
- At least 85% of program graduates who respond to the alumni survey will indicate that they routinely use current evidence-based research findings and client-centered care in professional practice.
- Program outcomes data will be available in 2026, one year after graduation of the first students.
Virtual Information Sessions
You are invited to a Virtual Information Session to explore degree programs from the Rutgers School of Health Professions. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link.
Applicants must register with D+D digital between December 1, 2023 and February 15, 2024.
The combined Master’s in Public Health in Public Health Nutrition- Dietetic Internship certificate Program participates in the Centralized Application process (DICAS). The on-line application must be completed by February 15, 2024, to CAS. More information on DICAS available on the ACEND website (www.eatright.org/ACEND).
Admission Requirements
- CAS (Centralized Application System at https://page.liaisonedu.com/dicas/apply)
- D&D digital registration at www.dnddigital.com between December 1, 2023 and February 15, 2024 by 11:59pm central.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), or provide a clear explanation of why the GPA does not meet the minimum
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Two letters of recommendation from professors or academic advisor
- One letter from employer can be used if employed more than one year
- Personal statement (up to 1000 words) about your journey to wanting Public Health nutrition and your short and long-term goals
- Candidates for admission will be scheduled for an interview with our selection committee via a virtual face to face interview (to be scheduled following review of complete application).
- Verification Statement of Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework or Declaration of Intent
- Match day is April 7, 2024. Applicant must contact DI director before 6pm eastern time to confirm acceptance of their appointment. After that time, the Dietetic Internship is under no obligation to hold the opening for the applicant. Second round selection, if we are not full, will be posted in www.dnddigital.com.
For Tuition and Fees, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees.
(Scroll down to 2024-2025 Rutgers Health Tuition and Fee Rates and click on School of Health Professions)
Final decisions for tuition is determined closer to the actual academic year. Scholarships and stipends are very limited. Financial Aid is available. Please go to http://shp.rutgers.edu/tuition-scholarships/ to learn more.
Programmatic Required Fees (projected)
| Required iPad (w/ specifications) | $700 | |
| Serv Safe Manager Course and Exam Fee | $179 | |
| Membership in the Dietetic Academy (per year) | $58 x 2 = $156 | |
| Lab Coats (2) | $80 | |
| Average of 4 Textbooks | $400 | |
| Fingerprinting | $65 | |
| Criminal Background Check | $101.90 | |
| Total Projected Fixed Fees -Year Two | $1,681.90 | |
Projected Variable Fees
| Health Insurance (annual) | $2,500 | |
| International Fee (per semester) (Personal miscellaneous including transportation) |
$3,333 | |
| Parking (annual) | $154.94 | |
| Projected Housing Costs (per year) | $13,400 | |
| Total Projected Variable Fees -Year Two | $19,387.94 | |
Thank you for your interest in the Rutgers combined dietetic internship certificate and the master’s in public health nutrition. For more information, contact the Interim Program Director Jane Ziegler at MPHinN.DIprogram@shp.rutgers.edu or call (973) 972-3274.
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 as NUTR courses, others are SPH)
PHCO0505 – Social & Behavioral Health Sciences (3 credits)
NUTR6490 – Nutrition Epidemiology (3 credits)
*UGPH0630 – Global Food Systems and Policy (3 credits)
*UGPH0670 – Global Food and Culture (3 credits)
HBSP0652 – Program Planning and Evaluation (3 credits)
PHCO0503 – Intro to Environmental Health (3 credits)
PHCO0501 – Health Systems and Policies (3 credits)
PRAC0621 – Interprofessional Education (0 credits)
Spring March workshop with Clinical Nutrition (MSCN) students (0 credits).
NUTR5513- Global Public Health Nutrition (3 credits)
Summer workshop with Clinical Nutrition (MSCN) students (0 credits).
NUTR5361 – Clinical Nutrition MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy) (4 credits)
NUTR6314 – Ethics & Professionalism in Nutrition Practice (2 credits)
*NUTR 6229 – Population Health Rotation (2 credits)
*NUTR6219 – Practice Management and Food Service Rotation (2 credits)
PRAC0715 – Applied Practice Experience (0 credits)
PRAC0716 – Practicum Capstone (3 credits)
*NUTR6319 – DI Clinical and Client Services Rotation 1 (2 credits)
*NUTR6329 – DI Clinical and Client Services Rotation 2 (3 credits)
*NUTR6339 – Public Health Capstone (1 credit)
*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.
To learn more, please email Interim Program Director Jane Ziegler at MPHinN.DIprogram@shp.rutgers.edu.