M.S. in Dietetics (MSD)

Program Overview

Our two-year MSD program is hybrid, coupling online graduate education and in-person supervised practice experience (SPE). During the beginning of their second semester in the program, students come to the University of Vermont for a week of hands-on, in-person, embedded training that sparks student and faculty connections. Students can then remain in Vermont for a university-designed supervised practice experience or select a self-design option where they complete their SPE in their US community of choice. 

UVM's two-year, hybrid MSD coordinated program focuses on developing leaders in the field of nutrition and dietetics while taking a holistic, evidence-based approach to nutrition care. Students are connected with UVM's expansive Medical Facilities, Centers, Initiatives, Institutes, and Extension. The UVM MSD provides all the requirements to prepare you to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires that students complete graduate coursework and supervised experiential learning in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) in order to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist national examination. 

Program Mission: To educate and prepare graduate students who will successfully function as entry-level dietitian nutritionists with specialized knowledge of and ability to apply leadership skills, holistic nutrition, and evidence-based care across nutrition practice settings.

Accreditation

The MSD program at UVM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600 ext. 5400.

Steps to becoming an RDN

• Academic preparation. Earn any bachelor’s degree and complete prerequisite coursework.
• Apply to UVM. Complete experiential learning and graduate degree accredited by ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics).
• National exam. Pass the entry-level registration (credentialing) examination administered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• State licensure/certification. If applicable, apply for state licensure.

You have a maximum of three years to complete the program, which will include:

• Successful achievement and documentation of all scheduled supervised experiential learning hours.
• A minimum “acceptable mastery” rating on all evaluations from all preceptors in all rotations and all competencies.
• All assignments submitted and deemed acceptable; all evaluation forms submitted.

Eligibility for Registration Exam 

• Once you have earned your Master of Science in Dietetics from UVM, you will receive a verification statement to sit for the national registration examination for dietitians, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Program Director

Danielle Meyer

Email: danielle.meyer@uvm.edu

Phone: 802-656-3374

Curriculum

Overview

Fall Semester, Year 1

• 3 credits: Graduate level Statistics
• 3 credits: NFS 6990 Social and Behavioral Nutrition
• 3 credits: Graduate Level Pharmacology
• 2 credits: NFS 6100 MSD Journal Club/SPE On-Boarding
• Inter-professional Practice (IPE) Modules; orientation, palliative care ALS video & discussion, virtual care planning clinic

Spring Semester, Year 1

• 4 credits: NFS 6110 Supervised Practice I
• 3 credits: NH 6899 Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry
• Inter-professional Practice (IPE) Modules

Fall Semester, Year 2

• 4 credits: NFS 6120 Supervised Practice II
• 2 credits: NFS 6130 Evidence-based practice project
• Inter-professional Practice (IPE) Modules

Spring Semester, Year 2

• 3 credits: NFS 5253 Food Regulation
• 3 credits: Elective: Area of Practice
• Written Comprehensive Exam
• Oral Comprehensive Exam
• Capstone Presentation

Completing the Program 

To graduate with an MS in Dietetics, students must demonstrate:

• Successful completion of all coursework (GPA 3.0 or better)

• Satisfactory completion of supervised practice experience.

• Preceptors and faculty will evaluate students' ability to perform the competencies for entry-level dietitians as outlined in the current ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition Dietetics Coordinated Programs.

• Students are required to earn preceptor evaluation ratings of 4+ (Consistently demonstrates skills to perform competency as an entry-level dietitian with appropriate supervision) for the competencies included in the supervised practice experience.

• Satisfactory completion of their Professional Development Portfolio.

• A "pass" grade on the Written and Oral Comprehensive Exam (Acceptable or better).

• A "pass" grade on the Capstone Project and Paper (Acceptable or better).

Student Handbook 

Linked here.

Technology and Computer Standards (click here) 

Admissions

Licensure Disclosure

Vermont prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in Vermont. 

Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43 and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, July 1, 2026Download pdf, the  provides the disclosure(s) on this page related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification for academic programs leading to professional licensure to meet the educational requirements for licensure in states where UVM students reside. These disclosures do not provide any guarantee that any state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Students are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable state certification and licensure requirements. Professional licensure/certification requirements vary from state to state, which may affect a student's ability to apply for a professional licensure/certification upon completion of the educational program, prior to licensure. Furthermore, these disclosures do not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after these disclosures have been made.

Our MSD program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) which meets the educational requirements for credentialing by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

States Where Program Meets Educational Requirements for Licensure/Certification

Individuals who anticipate seeking licensure/certification outside Vermont may wish to seek additional guidance via the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which provide state licensure and certification information for the profession.

Additional national licensure resources:

• Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Licensure Map: CDR State Licensure Eligibility Map
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Licensure Information: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Licensure Information
• Vermont Dietetics and Nutrition License Requirements: Vermont Dietetics and Nutrition License Requirements

Application Notes

• Apply through DICAS – choose University of Vermont MSD
• Request official electronic transcripts to be sent to DICAS
• Include three references, with at least one academic
• List all work, volunteer, and extracurricular experiences directly in DICAS

2026-2027 Cycle Dates

• DICAS application opens: Aug. 5, 2026
• Final Deadline: Feb. 1, 2027
  • Acceptance deadline March 15, 2027
• Program start: August 2027

Application requirements:

Complete the centralized application using the DICAS Applicant Portal.

Additional instructions and support for completing the DICAS application can be found on the DICAS website and by contacting your Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Director.

The following materials are required with your DICAS application:

• Application Fee: $50.00 DICAS fee for the first program and $25 for each additional program 

application. 

• Additional $25 UVM application review fee. Waiver information can be found here.

• Three letters of recommendation.

• One transcript from each institution you have attended, including the one you currently attend. 

• Test scores for English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English.

DICAS Application Requirements 

Statement of Purpose: should be limited to one page. Please address the following questions in your statement: Explain why you are applying to this program, including why you are drawn to our program mission and goals and our online delivery modality. Describe why you would like to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Finally, describe how your previous employment, internships or volunteer experience strengthen your commitment to this degree.

Resume: Upload a PDF of your current resume to include your employment, internship and volunteer experience and their corresponding dates

Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent Form, with original signatures:

These should be obtained from your Didactic Program Director. Those without a four-year degree need to complete a bachelor's degree and receive a verification statement indicating completion of the didactic program in dietetics components prior to the application deadline.

For students applying without a verification statement, please complete and submit the following Prerequisites Checklist form. We recommend that you use the UVM Transfer Credit Guide and the Nutrition and Food Sciences catalogue descriptions to confirm course equivalents.

ServSafe Food Manager certification: Include a copy of your Servsafe certificate. Student Interns are expected to be certified in safe food handling. Individuals who are not yet certified, briefly describe your plan to complete and be certified by November 15th of your first semester in the program, include details on the course you will be taking.

We will evaluate applications in this order:

1. Meets minimum qualification (Earn’s bachelor’s degree by start of program)

2. Verification statement/completed prerequisites, UVM Graduate College minimum TOFL score for non-English speakers)

3. Personal statement - writing quality, engagement, ability to follow instructions, and fit with our program.

4. A GPA of 3.0 or higher - special consideration will be given to nutrition courses and patterns of success in upper-level courses.

5. Resume -special consideration for dietetic related experiences and length of employment and/or repeat employment.

6. 3 Letters of Recommendation

UVM Graduate College Requirements:

In addition to the MSD Program application, all online application requirements of the Graduate College must be completed. Requirements include:

• A BS degree and completion of all prerequisite coursework.

• Overall grade point average (3.0), science grade point average (2.5 with no course with less than a C), major course GPA (3.0) including Nutrition Education and Counseling, Advanced Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Foodservice Systems Management, Community Nutrition, and Nutritional Biochemistry. A selection committee of NFS faculty and members of the Advisory Committee will evaluate applicants and rank them based on an admission rubric for acceptance into the MSD Program.

SDSPE students, please note: Admission is conditional until you locate and secure your preceptors, facilities, and program rotations for the required SPE hours (1,000+) during the second and third semesters in the program. 

Students admitted to the self-designed SPE option will be required to locate and schedule their preceptors and rotation sites for their SPE. These rotation sites can be anywhere in the United States, so long as they comply with the criteria outlined in this MSD Policy and Procedure Manual and Student Handbook. Students are encouraged, but not required, to have their entire SPE arranged prior to beginning the program. January - June SD SPE rotations must be secured no later than November 15 of the first semester. August - December SD SPE rotations must be secured no later than March 15 of the second semester. If these deadlines are not met, your program progression may be delayed. Students residing in, or close to, Vermont should not expect to complete rotations with preceptors or in facilities already serving the University-Designed SPE program.

Assessment of Prior Learning

Students wishing to have previous coursework or experience accepted in lieu of a prerequisite undergraduate course must contact the MSD Program Coordinator at least eight weeks before the priority application deadline. The student must submit thorough documentation of the experience or coursework they would like to substitute for a prerequisite course. The MSD Program Director will consult with other faculty or members of the admissions committee as necessary and decide. 

Supervised practice: The MSD program will not accept any prior learning or experience as a substitute for any portion of the supervised practice experience.

Academic Requirement for UVM MSD

The MSD is a two-year, 30 credit hour Master's degree program which includes the following coursework:  MSD Journal Club (2 credits), MSD Supervised Practice I (4 credits), MSD Supervised Practice II (4 credits), Evidence-based practice project (2 credits), Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry (3 credits), Biostatistics (3  credits), Pharmacology (3 credits), Social and Behavioral Nutrition (3 credits), and two graduate elective  courses to support their particular interest in leadership, holistic nutrition, and evidence-based care (6  credits); 

All courses are offered online.

Outcomes

Goals & Objectives

Program Goal 1

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

Objectives

• 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 care.
• 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 care.

Program Goal 2

The program will prepare graduates who have specialized knowledge of and the ability to apply the principles of leadership, holistic nutrition, and evidence-based care across community health and nutrition practice settings.

Objectives

• At least 80% of students will demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of leadership, holistic nutrition, and evidence-based care 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 leadership, holistic nutrition, and evidence-based care 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 leadership, holistic nutrition, and evidence-based care into their area of practice.

Program outcomes are available upon request.

Costs and Funding

Tuition & Financial Aid

Basic program costs can be found at Student Financial Services Graduate Tuition and Fees.

In addition, MSD students typically have expenses associated with:

• Insurance: All students must carry health insurance and auto insurance. Students electing not to purchase UVM Health Insurance must provide proof of another current policy. 
• Malpractice and accident insurance
• Background check
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics membership-required for all students
• Travel related costs (varies)
• Education management software
• Books and supplies
• On-campus orientation travel
• Transportation costs: A reliable vehicle is required for the program. All students are responsible for arranging their travel to and from their rotation sites. Owners are responsible for travel liability for themselves and riders in their car, as well as any expenses incurred for gas, tolls, meals, and housing to and from assigned supervised experiential learning sites, and professional meetings/conferences. Students using public transportation assume personal responsibility for their safety.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

MSD Program Scholarship

A one-time award is available to first-year students. For consideration, please describe in 300-500 words your commitment to UVM’s "Our Common Ground" and upload your statement (separate document) with your application.

Financial Aid

Students applying to the MSD program may be eligible for Federal Stafford and/or Federal Plus loans. Eligibility is based on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application. If interested, be sure to fill out the FAFSA.

Learn more from Student Financial Services, or call (802) 656-5700.

Graduate College Tuition and Fees | Student Financial Services | The University of Vermont