Master of Science – Dietetics

Program Description

The mission of the Master of Science degree program is to prepare graduates to practice in entry level professional positions in the fields of clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and/or food and nutrition management.

The program offers a unique opportunity to dietetics professionals in southern West Virginia. It is open to persons who have completed a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and have a Verification Statement from an accredited institution or are currently a Registered Dietitian.

The Master’s of Science degree in dietetics is combined with the dietetic internship program (either on-site or distance).

Admission Requirements

Prospective students who wish to apply for admission to the master’s degree program must meet the admission requirements, described in detail at the following links for on-site or distance applicants. Admission is competitive.

The following standards are used to make admission decisions:

  • Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics. Admitted students are required to provide a Verification Statement and transcript showing final degree confirmation prior to beginning the internship.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is preferred.
  • A personal statement of 1000 words or less.
  • Documented volunteer or paid work experience in foodservice and/or nutrition care is preferred.
  • Three letter of recommendation (completed through DICAS).
  • Completion of an online personal interview.

For further information about any of these items, including the personal statement guidelines and interview instructions, please consult the admission section of the website (on-site/distance).

Application to the Marshall University’s Master of Science degree is completed through a centralized application system known as DICAS. Applicants will apply online using the DICAS application. To learn more about the DICAS application process and submission deadlines visit DICAS | Applicant Login Page Section (liaisoncas.com). If a student is admitted, they will receive further instructions from the Program Director/Coordinator regarding formal application to the graduate program through MU Graduate Admissions.

In addition to DICAS, computer matching through D & D Digital is a mandatory component of the application process. To participate in matching, applicants must complete the online registration and select priority choices by the set deadline. More information can be found by visiting http://www.dnddigital.com. Please note: Marshall University has two programs. Be careful when selecting the code to ensure you are prioritizing correctly. Codes are as follows:

On-site/Huntington-based Track: 489

Distance Track: 783

Students pursuing the distance track should consult the distance program information on the website, for additional requirements related to rotation schedules, preceptors, and information on state eligibility for distance education through Marshall University.

Any other prospective students must currently hold the status of Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration or a Verification Statement from an accredited DPD program. Admission of Registered Dietitians will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the department. Those holding verification Verification Statements can be conditionally admitted for one semester. Full admission will be contingent on acceptance through DICAS centralized application system. Both types of potential students should follow the admission process described in the Graduate Catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website.

Program Requirements

Upon successful completion of the following criteria, the student will receive a Verification Statement, become eligible to take the Registration Examination, and complete the Master’s of Science degree:

  1. Ten months of supervised practice in selected sites, consisting of a minimum of 1000 clock hours.
  2. Documentation of all learning outcomes for entry-level dietitians as described by the 2022 Standards for Internship Programs in Nutrition and Dietetics.
  3. Final evaluation indicating competency performance of Meets Expectations or above in each supervised practice rotation.
  4. Self-evaluation of performance and experience after each supervised practice rotation.
  5. Submission of online portfolio.
  6. Final program evaluation upon completion of the summer B term.
  7. A total of 36 hours of required graduate courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.
  8. Completion, with a passing grade, of a written and oral comprehensive examination in the final semester.

The student and advisor will develop a Plan of Study or blueprint for graduation requirements. The Plan of Study must be on file in the Graduate College office before the student registers for the 12th semester hour.

The MS/DI program is designed to be completed in one year.

For specific course requirements, prospective students should consult Dr. Kelli Williams, RD, LD at williamsk@marshall.edu for further details.