Nutrition and Dietetics (MS)
Program Description
The Master of Science program in nutrition and dietetics prepares students for a wide range of careers as dietitians and nutritionists. It provides training for registered dietitians and other students who seek to become registered dietitians or to obtain advanced academic training in clinical nutrition, which meets all academic and internship requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) registration eligibility.
Concentrations
Students may choose from three study options:
40-Credit Clinical Nutrition
This concentration is a 40-unit pre-professional curriculum for students who would like to obtain the registered dietitian (RD) credential.
34-Credit Clinical Nutrition
This concentration provides advanced clinical dietetics training to students who already have Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentials or have completed a dietetic internship.
34-Credit Foods and Nutrition
This concentration is for students who already hold professional credentials in a health field (such as RDN, MD, DDS, or RPh). Our Master of Science in Foods and Nutrition provides advanced academic training in food and nutrition to further your career.
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification
The NYU DPD is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (200 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600) until 2021.
Evaluation and verification of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ DPD requirements for dietetic registration eligibility may be obtained by students who have completed at least 29 credits in residence at NYU. Students must request and file a formal application.
Dietetic Internships
The mission of New York University’s Dietetic Internship is to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed for practice as entry-level registered dietitians. The internship prepares graduates to integrate theory with practice and apply critical thinking and analytical skills in order to help improve the dietary intake, nutritional status, and overall health of individuals and groups.
The NYU Dietetic Internship is housed in the Clinical Nutrition MS program that requires enrollment for 13 months total. The full-time program, which offers fall and spring matches, includes one full semester of coursework followed by 27 weeks of on-site supervised practice for a total of 1,200 full-time, supervised hours. It also fulfills 18 of the 40 credits needed for an MS degree in Nutrition and Dietetics: Clinical Nutrition (completion of this degree is not required, but is recommended). It meets the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) requirements for supervised clinical practice for registration eligibility.
Interns must complete five graduate courses (12 credits) before entering supervised clinical practice:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUTR-GE 2037 | Medical Nutrition Thrpy | 4 |
| NUTR-GE 2190 | Research Methods in Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR-GE 2196 | Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam | 2 |
| NUTR-GE 2198 | Nutrition Counseling Theory & Practice | 3 |
Interns complete supervised clinical practice rotations in clinical nutrition therapy (13 weeks and one week of Pediatric Dental Clinical), community nutrition (three weeks), food service management (six weeks), specialties (one week), and staff relief (three weeks) — a total of at least 1,200 practice hours, along with 23 hours of classroom instruction. The supervised practice takes place in one of the many affiliated hospitals, institutions, and agencies located throughout the New York metropolitan area. Because some of these sites train more than one dietetic intern, starting dates for the supervised clinical practice may vary.
Concurrently with the supervised practice, interns register in two consecutive semesters for NUTR-GE 2146 Clin Prac in Dietetic I, NUTR-GE 2147 Clin Prac in Dietetic II. Class sessions cover the Code of Ethics of the AND/Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the Standards of Practice for dietetic professionals; political, legislative, and economic factors affecting dietetic practice; and development of effective communication and counseling skills.
Career Opportunities
The program is designed to train students to help individuals and the public choose foods that promote health and prevent disease; manage human, financial, and physical resources to improve the nutritional status of individuals and population groups; monitor trends and issues in the field of nutrition and translate this information into education and training programs; and apply research principles and processes to the examination of nutrition problems.
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to each concentration: