Master of Science in Dietetics
APPLY NOW REQUEST INFO GRADUATE COLLEGEDo you feel like you have a calling to help your community become healthier through food and nutrition? Do you want to be on the forefront of the most up to date, evidenced based research in the area of nutrition? Then the MS in Dietetics is for you. By 2024, a master’s degree will be required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). At UTRGV we are excited to announce we will prepare you to be become eligible to be an entry level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
To meet new requirements in the profession, the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences will be offering a new, innovative entry-level master’s degree in dietetics to become RDNs. The program integrates didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future models of practice.
Students will learn critical thinking and scientific skills needed for clinical nutrition, community nutrition, food systems management, research, and leadership. The master’s degree in dietetics instills an appreciation for nutrition innovation, sustainability, promoting health and wellness equity, and providing nutrition leadership and collaboration while focusing on the healthcare needs of the Rio Grande Valley.
Additional information on meeting the eligibility requirements for the Registration Exam for Dietitians can be found here: https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/eatrightpro-files/career/become-an-rdn-or dtr/routestoregistrationpriorjan2024.pdf?la=en&hash=B9061BA4CA6D9C1DABB48FF614E9384BC362B4F4
Accreditation Status
The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has been granted candidate status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The MS in Dietetics program at UTRGV is implementing 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
State Authorization and Professional Licensing Disclosure:
- 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.