Dietetics Graduate Program

Prerequisite Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Science in dietetics must have earned a bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) or be completing the University of Idaho 3 + 2 program B.S. in food and nutrition and have taken the following prerequisite courses before beginning the Master of Science in dietetics:

• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Chemistry
• Carbon Compounds or Organic Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Introduction to Microbiology plus Lab
• Introduction to Psychology
• Pre-Calculus Algebra
• Principles of Statistics
• Human Nutrition
• Nutrition in the Lifecycle
• Advanced Nutrition or Macro and Micro Nutrient Metabolism
• Introductory Foods or Food Science with a lab
• Meal Management or equivalent (this can be taken during the first fall semester of the program)

Students may be enrolled with up to fifteen credits of outstanding prerequisite courses the semester they apply to the program and must demonstrate proof of enrollment in those courses in their application.

Application

University of Idaho students may apply through the University of Idaho College of Graduate Admissions: Dietetics — Graduate Admissions

Students who do not attend the University of Idaho are required to apply through DICAS: DICAS Application Login Page section — (liaisoncas.com)

To being fall semester, the application priority deadline is Dec. 31. Required application components include:

• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Transcripts

Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended that contributed to the baccalaureate degree as well as transcripts documenting completion of the prerequisite courses. If prerequisite courses have not been completed at the application deadline, students may demonstrate their enrollment in up to fifteen credits by uploading a screenshot from the college/university website that demonstrates enrollment in the course(s). International students must submit a foreign degree equivalency statement from an approved professional credential evaluation service. Foreign Degree Evaluation Agencies (eatrightpro.org)

• Letters of Recommendation

Applicants need three letters of recommendation. At least one reference should be a non-University of Idaho food and nutrition faculty member. At least one reference should be a supervisor or manager. The third reference can be either a supervisor/manager or a non-University of Idaho food and nutrition faculty member.

• 3.0 on a 4.0 scale overall GPA in undergraduate degree
• TOEFL/IELTS (International Students Only)

All international applicants must submit an acceptable, official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. The University of Idaho’s Institutional Code is… The minimum score accepted is 79/6.5

International students do not need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score, if: English is an official/native language.

• Interview

Year 1 Fall (Moscow)

• FN 464 Nutrition Counseling (3)
• FN 470 Quantity Food Production and Equipment (3)
• FN 471 Quantity Food Production and Equipment Lab (2)
• FN 491 Community Nutrition (3)
• FCS 501 Graduate Seminar (1)
• Stat 431 (3)

Total credits = 15

Year 1 Spring (Moscow)

• FN 450 Global Nutrition (3)
• FN 465 Clinical Dietetics (3)
• FN 466 Nutrition Assessment Lab (1)
• FN 492 Nutrition Education (3)
• Pep 455 Design and Analysis of Research (3)

Total credits = 13

Summer between Year 1 and Year 2 (Moscow, Coeur d’ Alene or Boise)

• FN 591 Applied Community Nutrition (5 credits)

Year 2 Fall (Moscow)

• FN 509 Nutrition and Dietetics Professional Skills (1)
• FN 565 Nutrition Therapy and Disease (3)
• FN 570 Management and Leadership in Dietetics (3)
• FCS 501 Graduate Seminar (1)
• FCS 599 Non-thesis Requirement (2)

Total credits = 10

Year 2 Spring (Moscow, Coeur d'Alene or Boise)

• FN 566 Applied Clinical Dietetics (7)
• FN 571 Applied Food and Nutrition Management (7)

Total credits = 14

Through focused excellence in teaching and supervised experiential learning, the University of Idaho Master of Science in dietetics (M.S.D.) comprehensively prepares graduates for practice as a registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN).

• Graduates will be prepared to successfully complete credentialing and licensing/certifying.
• Graduates will demonstrate high employability in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

• At least 80% of program students complete the program requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
• At least 90% 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 preceptors would theoretically be willing to employ the graduate.
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of employers will be “satisfied” when asked about employer satisfaction with graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice.

Program outcomes data is available upon request.

To be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam for registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) one must have completed a minimum of a master’s degree granted by a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized accrediting agency or foreign equivalent and coursework through an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic (DPD), Coordinated (CP), Graduate Program (GP) or Foreign (FDE) program and completed required supervised practice/experience though and ACEND-accreted Dietetic Internship (DI), Coordinated (CP), Graduate Program (GP) or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP). For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN at About Accredited Programs.

Following completion of program requirements in the ACEND-accredited Master of Science in Dietetics (GP) at the University of Idaho, students will graduate and receive a verification statement. The graduate degree and the verification statement ensure eligibility to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. After becoming credentialed, state licensure or certification can be obtained. State licensure must be obtained in Idaho. The graduate is then eligible to work as an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist.

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.

For graduate school for 2024-2025, estimated costs are listed below:

Full time student fees and tuition

$10,970 — per year (Idaho resident)
$30,052 — per year (non-resident)

$12,194 — housing and meals
$1,180 — books and supplies
$2,320 — transportation
$3,056 — miscellaneous and personal

Total — $29,720 (Idaho resident)
Total — $48,956 (non-resident)

The program is completed in two academic years and one six-week summer session between year one and year two. Supervised experiential learning is required during the summer between the first and second academic year. The fall, winter and spring breaks follow the academic calendar https://www.uidaho.edu/events/academic-calender.

University of Idaho and federal financial aid can be received in the form of scholarships, loans, grants and/or student employment. More information about the different types of financial aid is available from Student Financial Aid Services or visit www.uidaho.edu/financial-aid.

Scholarships are available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation.

The Master of Science in dietetics is part of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). Students who are residents in WICHE member states may pay resident tuition rates.