Master’s in Nutrition - Registered Dietitian Track

Dietetic MS Degree Highlights

• Learn by doing - Develop the practical know-how for your career by participating in virtual reality simulations at our cutting-edge Nutrition Skills Lab and Simulation Environment Teaching Hospital.

• Gain real-world experience - Build up your résumé and your competence in different nutrition-related sectors — including oncology, acute care and pediatrics — under the supervision of local preceptors through our comprehensive intern rotation program.

• Flexible and time-efficient – Earn your degree in as little as 17 months. Most courses have online options, making it easier to fit your studies into your schedule.

• Hone your teamwork skills – Collaborate with students in the physician assistant studies, family nurse practitioner and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs to come up with solutions in a way that parallels teamwork in healthcare settings.

• Complete the requirements for certification - Coursework in the dietetic degree and its strong emphasis on supervised internships prepare you to sit for the RDN exam upon graduation.

Dietetic Program Features

Admissions Requirements

Designed for students who seek RDN accreditation, the dietetic track has the following admission requirements:

• Degree from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) within the last five years or current enrollment in one.

• Verification Statement from the DPD Director OR student is in the final year of the DPD program with the intent to graduate the following spring or summer prior to the fall semester when the dietetic program starts.

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

• Minimum DPD GPA of 3.2.

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

GRE is not required for admission into the program.

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

OR

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university with the following pre-requisites (equivalency determined by FranU faculty in the course discipline):
  • Introductory nutrition course (3 credit hours)
  • 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)
  • Nutrition Assessment (3 credit hours)
  • Human Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credit hours)
  • Nutrition and Disease (3 credit hours)

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is strongly recommended
2. Documented evidence of service and leadership through work and/or volunteer experiences

Note: Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement, visit CDR's website.

In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited MSNS-DI program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Learn more about state licensure requirements.

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.

Program Goals & Objectives

FranU’s MS in Nutrition - Dietetic Track aims to meet the following goals:

1. Prepare graduates to be competent for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists. Our objective is to reach an 80% one-year pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam.

2. Form compassionate, well-qualified professionals and servant leaders in health and wellness prepared to provide entry-level nutrition and dietetics services. We strive to have 80% of our graduates employed within a year of graduating, with 80% of employers ranking our graduates as ‘satisfied’ or above in preparation for the workforce.

Tuition & Financial Aid

A fraction of the cost of other comparable programs, the total cost of the master’s in nutritional science program is $26,188.00, and we do not charge out-of-state tuition.

A leading affordable Catholic university, FranU offers scholarships to graduate students, including the FMOL Sisters Graduate Scholarship. Students can also cover the cost of attendance through loans and other forms of financial assistance.

Visit the Office of Financial Aid page to discover more about your financial aid options.

Learn more about the total program costs.

Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

There are several specific steps you must take to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist:

1. Effective January 1, 2024, earn a master’s degree from an accredited university or college and complete coursework accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. FranU’s dietetic degree meets this requirement.

2. Complete an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice program, typically lasting six to 12 months. The internship component in our program fulfills these hours.

3. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

4. Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

In addition to RDN credentialing, many states, including Louisiana, have licensing and regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently, these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RDN.

In LA, a license is required by the Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition (LBEDN) and registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.