Our program uses Microsoft TEAMS and requires internet access with a minimum speed connection of 600kbps/1.2Mbps (up/down).

Coursework:

Fall Semester, Year 1

• 3 CH: Biostats I
• 3 CH: Social & Behavioral Nutrition
• 3 CH: Applied Systems Pharmacology
• 2 CH: Journal Club (dietetics practice)
• Inter-professional Practice (IPE) Modules; orientation, palliative care ALS video & discussion, virtual care planning clinic

Spring Semester, Year 1

• 4 CH: Supervised Practice
• 3 CH: Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry
• IPE Modules: AHEC designed simulation; cultural awareness conference

Fall Semester, Year 2

• 4 CH Supervised practice II
• 3 CH: Evidence-based practice project

Spring Semester, Year 2

• 3 CH: Food Regulation
• 3 CH Elective: Agroecology, Food Sovereignty & Social Movements
• Capstone Presentation
• Oral Comprehensive Exam
• Inclusive Excellence Symposium

Community Health & Nutrition (CH&N) Concentration Competencies:

Program concentrations develop professional competency in four key areas:

• CH&N 1 - Working knowledge of population health, including basic terminology, concepts, social determinants of health, weight stigma, and health inequity.
• CH&N 2 - Ability to evaluate a community-based nutrition-focused health promotion intervention incorporating weight inclusivity and health equity.
• CH&N 3 - Policy development skills are shaped through direct experience with legislative processes impacting population health, health inequity, or weight discrimination.
• CH&N 4 - Research and presentations skills serving professional practice focused on community nutrition, population health, health equity, and/or sustainable food systems.

Comprehensive Written Exam: All students must successfully complete an exam before advancing to presenting their Capstone Projects. The exam is taken in the fourth semester of the second year; one rewrite is granted those who do not succeed the first time.

Capstone Project: This culminating academic experience hones and showcases academic and technical writing ability, research skills, presentation skills and the application of dietetics principles to community nutrition and population health.

Rachel Stanton, 802-656-7859, became the Dietetics Program Coordinator in the fall of 2023 to support the Master in Dietetics director, as well as the undergraduate dietetics director. Rachel is the first line of contact for student inquiries regarding the MSD program and its application process. She will assist students in the coordination of their clinical practice opportunities as well as facilitate connections between preceptors and students for their capstone project.

MSD Program Misson:

To educate and prepare graduate students who will successfully function as entry-level dietitian nutritionists with specialized knowledge of and ability to apply the principles of weight-inclusivity, health equity, and planetary health across community health and nutrition practice settings. We invite you to read our MSD Program Handbook.

The mission of the University of Vermont is rooted in the land-grant university tradition of creating and discovering knowledge in service to the public good. With a focus on weight-inclusivity, health equity, and planetary health, the UVM Master of Science in Dietetics program aims to improve nutritional equity by addressing economic, social, and environmental drivers through evidence-based practice. The program utilizes social determinants of health (SDOH) framing while encouraging inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA). This program is centered in weight-inclusivity to improve individual and community nutritional outcomes. Our dietetics program builds on the strengths of our university traditions while encouraging an evidence-based, solutions-approach to nutrition and dietetics. FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET.

MSD Program Goals:

The MSD program at UVM has two overarching program goals:

PROGRAM GOAL 1:

The program will graduate students who are ready for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists.

Outcomes:

• At least 80% of program students complete degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
• 90% of students will pass the MSD Comprehensive Exam with a score of 80% or higher.
• At least 80% of graduates will indicate “good” to “excellent” level of preparation for entry- level practice.
• At least 80% of graduates will take the CDR registration examination for dietitians within 12 months of program completion.
• The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration examination for dietitians within one year of their first attempt) on the CDR registration examination for dietitians is at least 80%.
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% will be employed in nutrition and dietetics or related field within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of employers will indicate that graduates have a “good” to “excellent” level of competency in: communication skills, problem solving, and evidence-based practice.
• One-year post-graduation, at least 80% of graduates will indicate “good” to “excellent” level of competency in: communication skills, problem solving, and evidence-based practice.

PROGRAM GOAL 2:

The program will prepare graduates who have specialized knowledge of and the ability to apply the principles of weight-inclusivity, health equity, and planetary health across community health and nutrition practice settings.

Outcomes:

• At least 80% of students will demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of weight-inclusivity, health equity, and planetary health across community health and nutrition practice settings as evaluated by SPE activities rubrics.
• At least 80% of graduates who completed the graduation survey will agree or strongly agree that the program provides adequate teaching and training in the principles of weight-inclusivity, health equity, and planetary health across community health and nutrition practice settings.
• One-year post-graduation, at least 80% of graduates who completed the graduation survey and are employed in nutrition and dietetics can provide one or more examples of how they have incorporated the principles of weight-inclusivity, health equity, or planetary health into their area of practice.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Graduates will possess the ability to communicate in writing, speaking, and presenting Nutrition and Dietetics to a variety of individuals and groups.
• Graduates will develop specialized knowledge and skills in Community Health and Nutrition with a focus on weight-inclusivity, health equity, and planetary health, through selected coursework, supervised practice experience.

“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.”