Contact

Sudha Raj, 315-443-5573

The master’s degree represents the professional qualification for many practitioners in dietetics and community nutrition and hence has become the terminal degree for many students. However, the increased number of higher education programs in nutrition and dietetics has also increased interest in doctoral programs that prepare practitioners for faculty positions. The master’s degree may thus serve as a preparatory step toward more advanced study.

Because of the varying backgrounds and professional interests of students, the master’s degree program is flexible. The M.A. degree requires the completion of a minimum of 36 credits, and the M.S. degree requires the completion of a minimum of 30 credits and a thesis.

The thesis involves investigative work on a specific topic, extensive examination and interpretation of nutrition literature on that topic, and the presentation of results in a clear and logical form. Completion of the thesis may require an additional year of study beyond completion of coursework. Students completing the Didactic Program in Dietetics or DPD requirements (to be eligible to apply to a dietetic internship) will require a minimum of 40 credits.

General Program Requirements

Students selecting nutrition as a major field of study must have minimum proficiency in chemistry and physiology. A recent course in nutrition must be presented upon entrance.

If you have a bachelor’s degree outside nutrition and would like to become a registered dietitian, make an appointment with the director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Nancy Rindfuss, M.A., R.D., to obtain an evaluation of your DPD status. The evaluation might dictate classes you have to complete prior to starting the program.

Both the M.A. and M.S. degrees should include coursework from the major area and supporting areas.