Master of Science in Dietetics

The MS in Dietetics will prepare graduates for practice as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who focus on ensuring food and nutrition innovation, research in health care, sustainability, promoting health and wellness equity, and providing nutrition leadership and collaboration in the Rio Grande Valley as well as the national and global communities.

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

1. "At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length)." (RE 2.1.c.1.a)*
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)*
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)*
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)*
5. At least 80% of employers are satisfied with graduate preparation for entry-level practice.
6. 90% of graduates agree that the MS in Dietetics program was successful in preparing them to be entry-level registered dietitians.
7. 40% of graduates will hold employment in community-based health and wellness organizations.
8. 60% of graduates have participated in, developed, planned, and/or led activities that promote health and wellness equity.
9. At least 70% of graduates who become RDNs will be active members in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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.

* Source: ACEND Accreditation Standards: For Nutrition and Dietetics - Graduate Degree Programs (GP) (Future Education Model).

To become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), individuals must complete the education and supervised practice requirements established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and meet the credentialing requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

The pathway to becoming an RDN includes:

1. Education: Complete a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited institution and complete the required nutrition and dietetics coursework through an ACEND-accredited program.
2. Supervised Practice: Complete supervised practice experiences through an ACEND-accredited program. These experiences provide opportunities to demonstrate competence in areas such as clinical nutrition, community and public health nutrition, and food systems management.
3. CDR Credentialing Examination: After successfully completing all required academic and supervised practice requirements, graduates must be determined eligible by CDR and successfully pass the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists to earn the RDN credential.
4. State Licensure or Certification: In addition to the national RDN credential, many states regulate the practice of dietetics through licensure or certification. Requirements vary by state, and graduates are responsible for reviewing the requirements of the state in which they intend to practice.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Master of Science in Dietetics is an ACEND-accredited graduate-level program that integrates the required dietetics coursework and supervised experiential learning (SEL) within the graduate degree. Students complete a 47-credit, two-year curriculum that includes supervised experiential learning experiences in clinical, community/public health, and food systems settings.

Upon successful completion of the MS in Dietetics degree, all required supervised experiential learning, and program competencies, graduates meet the education and supervised practice requirements necessary for the program director to submit their eligibility to CDR. Once eligibility is approved by CDR, graduates may take the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists. Individuals who successfully pass the examination earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.

The UTRGV MS in Dietetics meets the professional licensing educational requirements for the State of Texas. In Texas, individuals who hold a current dietitian registration issued by CDR have met the education, supervised experience, and CDR examination requirements for Texas dietitian licensure. Applicants must also meet additional requirements established by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), including successful completion of the Texas Jurisprudence Examination.

Licensure and certification requirements vary by state. While state interpretations of statutes and regulations may vary, ACEND considers graduates of ACEND-accredited programs to meet the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. Completion of an ACEND-accredited program alone, however, does not automatically confer state licensure or certification. Graduates who plan to practice outside of Texas should review the licensing or certification requirements for the state in which they intend to practice and contact the appropriate state licensing board for current requirements.

Tuition and Additional Costs

View Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Health Insurance Requirement

All dietetics students are required to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for each academic year to meet University policy requirements. Students with comparable coverage may be eligible to request a waiver.

The waiver process must be completed annually by the stated deadline. Students who do not submit a waiver request, or whose request is not approved, will be automatically enrolled in SHIP and the cost will be added to their student account.

EXXAT Clinical Educational Management System

The College of Health Professions and Dept. of Nutrition & Dietetics utilizes the EXXAT clinical education management system to support, manage, and document students' clinical, practicum, internship, fieldwork, and other experiential learning activities. Students are required to activate their accounts, pay any applicable fees, complete required profiles, and upload all requested documentation. Through these systems, students may access placement information, track clinical and experiential learning hours and activities, complete required logs and assignments, receive evaluations from clinical instructors, preceptors, or supervisors, and provide evaluations of their clinical or field experiences as required by their academic program. Students may also use these platforms to develop professional portfolios and complete other program-specific requirements. All associated fees, requirements, and platform specifications are subject to change based on program, institutional, accrediting body, and clinical site requirements. Cost: 215.00 (one-time fee)

Additional Program Costs

• Student Membership (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
• Books: Approximately 4-5 textbooks per semester; estimated total cost of $844.83 (about $211 per semester)
• ServSafe Certification: Required prior to the first semester. If not already certified, students will receive instruction through the program. Exam fee is $36.00.
• Graduation Fee: $50.00 (one-time fee)

Applicant Help Center

Dietetics Application Instructions

ACEND Information and Resources

Visit ACEND's website for more information on the Application Process for Students.

DICAS fees for application submission are $50 for the first program and $25 for each additional program.

• October 1: UTRGV DICAS application opens.
• January 23: UTRGV DICAS application closes.
• March 1: Last day for applicants to be notified of their match.
• March 1-15: Applicants must notify programs of their decision to accept or deny the match offer.
• March 15: The program cannot require a decision from the applicant before this date.

Applicants may be waitlisted. This means they have not received an official offer from the MS in Dietteics program, but their name has been added to a "back-up" list. If the applicants who were officially offered a position to the program decline acceptance, the waitlisted person's application will be considered in order of their name being on the waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will/may receive notification after March 15 deadlines based on available positions.

All applicants must follow the Code of Ethics for Nutrition and Dietetics Professionals and the Dietetics Traffic Rules that are specific to the application process.