MS in Dietetics Program

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The MS in Dietetics program at UTRGV has implemented a new and innovative program to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. 

Contact Rachel Villarreal MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES at Rachel.villarreal@utrgv.edu for more information. 

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics (see https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accreditation-standards-fees-and-policies/future-education-model-standards-and-templates-v2022).  These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice. 

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 

• • The UTRGV MS in Dietetics entry level MS in dietetics meets the professional licensing requirements for the state of Texas. Texas is a licensure of title only. This means the state only licenses the title "licensed dietitian" which may facilitate reimbursement or employment in certain facilities. 
  • 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.

Graduates from any bachelor’s degree program can apply for this entry-level master’s program provided they meet the prerequisites (see admission criteria). Our students will be prepared to meet a growing demand for well-educated Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who have expertise in evidence-based nutrition care. 

We offer: 

• Innovative demonstration master’s degree program that integrates 15 credits of supervised experiential learning (SEL) which includes rotations in clinical, community, and food systems settings. Didactic coursework includes 32 credits in a combination of hybrid, online, and face-to-face environments. 

• 47-credit program spanning 4 semesters which includes courses and SEL. 

• Students will be placed at local (Rio Grande Valley) sites for SEL. 

• Maximum class size is 16 students per cohort (yearly). 

• Upon completion of the program and Uuniversity requirements, students earn a Master of Science in Dietetics degree. 

• Students will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Credentialing Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists after meeting both program and competency completion requirements. 

Outcome data is available upon request.

Goals

Master of Science in Dietetics Goals

Goal #1– Program graduates will become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) who meet the employment needs of the local, national and global communities. 

Goal #2 – Program graduates will promote health and wellness equity through nutrition education in the community.  

Goal #3 – Program graduates will be leaders in the field of nutrition and be active in the profession.   

Objectives 

Master of Science in Dietetics Objectives

Objective 1: “At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length)”. (RE 2.1.c.1.a) 

Objective 2: “Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation”. (RE 2.1.c.1.b) 

Objective 3: “At least 80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion”. (RE 2.1.c.1.c.1) 

Objective 4: “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%”. (RE 2.1.c.1.c.2) 

Objective 5: At least 80% of employers are satisfied with graduate preparation for entry-level practice. 

Objective 6: 90% of graduates agree that the MS in Dietetics program was successful in preparing them to be entry-level registered dietitians. 

Objective 7: 40% of graduates will hold employment in community-based health and wellness organizations. 

Objective 8: 60% of graduates have participated in, developed, planned, and/or led activities that promote health and wellness equity. 

Objective 9: At least 70% of graduates who become RDNs will be active members in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Objective 10: At least 80% of employers observe leadership skills in graduates, including interprofessional collaboration, being an effective communicator, and the ability to support and inspire others.  

Program Specific Costs

Total Program: 47 credits

2024–2025-year tuition and University Fees:

$749 per credit TX resident                            Total $22,718

$1159.40 per credit out of state residents    Total $42,398

2024-2025 Fees and Other Costs

Health Insurance requirement: 
All dietetics students are required to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for each academic year in order to satisfy the University Policy of maintaining acceptable health insurance coverage. Students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment for the SHIP.

The Waiver Process must be completed each year by the waiver deadline. Students who do not submit a waiver request or whose waiver submission is not approved will be automatically enrolled for the SHIP and the cost of the insurance coverage will be added to their student account. The cost of the SHIP for the 2024-2025 academic year is $2,878.00.  

Student Membership in Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
$58 per year or $116 for two years

Criminal Background Check
$36.26 one-time fee

Drug Testing
$40-50

Housing
Estimated costs for students who chose campus lodging is $8,342 per year (resident/nonresident). Many local students live in their own apartment or with family. Housing costs vary, but average living costs are $2,470 (living with family), or $8,126 per year (apartment off campus).

Books
Students may purchase an average of 4-5 textbooks per semester. Total estimated costs of books for 4 years is $844.83 (about $211 per semester).

Servsafe
All students are required to be ServSafe certified prior to the first semester.  If not currently certified, the dietetics faculty will provide online education.  The fee to sit for the National Restaurants Servsafe exam is $36.00. Students that hold current Servsafe Mangers certification do not need to repeat exam or instruction. 

Travel
Students will need to provide their own transportation to in and from Supervised Experiential Learning sites. Students may have to travel up to 75 miles across the Rio Grande Valley for site rotations. Consideration for student address will be made during assignment of site rotation; however not all location accommodations can be made.

Graduation Fee

$50.00 One-time fee

The MS in Dietetics will be accepting applications on November 1^st of each year for the following fall cohort. 

All applicants who submit an application and meet the admission criteria will be reviewed.  Candidates for admission will be required to participate in an in person or virtual (F2F) interview.

The following admission criteria will need to be met for consideration for acceptance into the MS in Dietetics program:

Students must meet at least 1 of the Following Criteria and provide official transcripts:

1. Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences (BSNS from UTRGV or graduate from a US Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program)
2. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university; international students must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores and international transcript evaluation records including the following courses:
   1. Anatomy and Physiology (6 hours)
   2. General Chemistry (8 hours)
   3. Organic chemistry (4)
   4. Advance Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism or biochemistry (3)
   5. Microbiology (4)
   6. Statistics (3)
   7. Introduction to Clinical Nutrition (3)
   8. Culinary Nutrition (4)

In addition to the above course work the application for MS in Dietetics program must include:

1. A formal application
2. Two letters of recommendation
3. A grade of B or better in all pre-requisites.
4. Letter of personal intent

Students will earn an MS upon successful completion of the 47-credit hour (2 year) program. Receipt of degree is dependent upon successful completion of the Graduate College requirements for graduation including an application for graduate, fees paid, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Graduates are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) Credentialing Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists if all supervised experiential hours are complete, competencies are met, and degree is awarded.

The MS in Dietetics does not grant prior learning for credit.

To participate in the online/hybrid courses, you need easy access to a computer less than 5-years old with high-speed internet connection. Any exams or quizzes that are taken remotely will require Respondus lockdown browser with monitor.

Congratulations to MJ DeLeon for receiving the Leadership Excellence Award and to Anna Hover for receiving the Academic Excellence Award from the College of Health Professions 2023 College Excellence Award Ceremony.

Pictured from left to right: Prof. Rachel Villarreal, MJ DeLeon, Anna Hover, Dr. Lisa Salinas.

Congratulations to Dalin Abuzalata for being awarded Outstanding Student of the Year - graduate program from the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (TAND). She accepted the award at the annual TAND conference in Austin, Texas April 14th, 2023. Award well deserved! 

Congratulations to Rachel and Susana who received a proclamation from the city of Edinburg to honor National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits. 

This year's theme, " Fuel for the Future," highlights the importance of fueling our bodies at every age and eating with the environment in mind. Practice gratitude for your body by giving it the fuel it needs with sustainable foods! A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Registered Nutrition and Dietetics Technician,  can teach you how nutrient needs may change with age, and give you personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals. 

UTRGV hosts health day for more than 700 pre-K students

Dr. Salinas' research group sponsored a 700+ preschool student health fair at our UTRGV gym facilities over the course of two days. They taught 4-year-olds about proper nutrition as well as the importance of physical activity. They had 15 BS-Nutritional Sciences and MS in Dietetics students over the two days and they executed our 'nutrition stations.' The students really stood up to the challenge and did a great job! 

Dietetics students Julie Yerena and Alejandra Chapa teaching children at the DHR PATHS conference about healthy eating. Great job ladies!

Congratulations Jennifer Ashby!

The Foundation of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has awarded Jennifer Ashby, a graduate student in the MS in Dietetics program, the Colonel Katharine E. Manchester Scholarship. Jennifer is part of the first class of dietetic graduate students at UTRGV, and she is an excellent representation of the program and the future of dietetics.

Graduate student Laura Sepulveda showed off her culinary and nutrition skills with the PSJA child nutrition department by starring in a healthy recipe demonstration as part of supervised experiential learning. Great job Laura! 

Check out this easy and delicious Avocado Dip recipe prepared by our Pathways towards independence students.

The Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) participated with AHEC scholars to provide a health fair in the community of San Carlos on Saturday, March 5th, 2022. At the health fair students provided information on heart-healthy eating, eating the rainbow, and reducing added sugar. In addition, students provided a healthy cooking demonstration involving a remake of the quesadilla. Great work and outreach, SAND! 

 

UTRGV MS in Dietetics faculty, staff, and students participated with local Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to secure a 2022 National Nutrition Month proclamation. The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court provided a proclamation declaring the importance of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and to promote this year's theme to "Celebrate a World of Flavors". National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. 

The MS in Dietetics students partnered with the undergraduate UTRGV student organization, Nutritional Sciences and Health Society (NSHS) to provide healthy cooking demonstrations to the Edinburg community at the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library. Participants received nutrition education along with a healthy recipe demonstration. Faculty members, and Registered Dietitians Nutritionist, Mrs. Villarreal and Dr. Salinas attended and provided support to the students. Great job Vaqueros!

 

The MS in Dietetics students hosted the UTRGV Men's basketball team for a healthy cooking demonstration in Edinburg . We laughed, learned, and helped the athletes fuel their bodies for their upcoming week of games. V's up Vaqueros!