Nutrition and Dietetics — B.S. and M.S.
Students desiring an M.S. degree in nutrition and dietetics who do not have a bachelor's degree may take this three-year course of study at Loma Linda University. The first two years of the curriculum offer the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree and take the registration examination at the end of this time period in order to become an RD (registered dietitian). Students complete the master's degree during the third year—having enhanced their skills by completing additional graduate didactic courses.
Program learning outcomes
By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:
- Integrate scientific information and translation of research into practice;
- Demonstrate beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with the professional dietitian nutritionist level of practice;
- Develop and deliver information, products, and services to individuals, groups, and populations;
- Apply principles of strategic management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations;
- Plan, process, and perform nutrition-related research while protecting the public;
- Demonstrate an ability to translate evidence-based literature into formats that the lay public can understand, including use of videos, writing articles, and counseling;
- Evaluate emerging trends in nutrition and give competent, evidence-based answers to the public;
- Use metabolic pathways to determine patient and client nutritional needs.
Admission is based on a selective process. In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:
- a 3.0 G.P.A. or above (science and non-science)
- an interview (by telephone or in person)
- program prerequisites—see course listing for B.S. degree prerequisites, including minimum units required
- a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. at completion of undergraduate courses in order to progress to the graduate level
For total unit requirements for graduation for the B.S. degree, see Division of General Studies, LLU General Education Requirements (Section II).
| Junior Year | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| AHCJ 305 | Infectious Disease and the Health-Care Provider | 1 |
| DTCS 302 | Food Selection and Presentation | 5 |
| DTCS 3042 | Community Nutrition | 4 |
| DTCS 3051 | Professional Issues in Nutrition and Dietetics | 2 |
| DTCS 321 | Nutrition and Human Metabolism | 4 |
| DTCS 329 | Organic Chemistry with Applications for Nutrition | 4 |
| DTCS 334 | Biochemistry with Applications for Nutrition | 4 |
| DTCS 338 | Introduction to Clinical Nutrition | 2 |
| DTCS 340 | Nutrition through Life Stages | 3 |
| DTCS 342 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 5 |
| DTCS 343 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 5 |
| DTCS 371 | Quantity Food Purchasing, Production, and Service | 5 |
| DTCS 372 | Food Systems Organization and Management | 4 |
| RELE 457 | Christian Ethics and Health Care | 2 |
| REL_ 4__ Upper-division religion | 2 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| AHCJ 407 | Financial Management | 2 |
| AHRM 471 | Statistics and Research for Health Professionals I | 3 |
| AHRM 472 | Statistics and Research for Health Professionals II | 3 |
| DTCS 395 | Nutrition and Dietetics Practicum | 12 |
| DTCS 405 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| DTCS 445 | Nutrition Care Management | 4 |
| DTCS 446 | Nutrition Counseling and Education | 3 |
| DTCS 452 | Advanced Nutrition | 4 |
| DTCS 453 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| DTCS 461 | Food Science | 4 |
| DTCS 473 | Medical Nutrition Therapy Affiliation | 12 |
| DTCS 476 | Exercise Physiology in Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| REL_ 4__ Upper-division religion | 2 | |
| RELT 436 | Adventist Heritage and Health | 2 |
| Graduate Year | ||
| AHCJ 548 | Human Resource Management in the Health-Care Environment | 3 |
| AHRM 604 | Research-Proposal Writing | 3 |
| DTCS 526 | Pharmacology in Medical Nutrition Therapy | 2 |
| DTCS 584 | Contemporary Issues in the Dietetic Profession | 4 |
| DTCS 5892 | Capstone Course in Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 |
| DTCS 694 | Research | 4 |
| EPDM 509 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUTR 506 | Nutritional Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 510 | Advanced Public Health Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 517 | Advanced Nutrition I: Carbohydrates and Lipids | 4 |
| NUTR 518 | Advanced Nutrition II: Proteins, Vitamins, and Minerals | 4 |
| NUTR 519 | Phytochemicals | 2 |
| Elective: Any graduate-level course approved by advisor | 7 | |
| REL_ 5__ Graduate-level religion | 3 | |
| Total Units: | 158 | |
| 1 | Registered twice to fulfill unit requirement |
| 2 | Fulfills service learning requirement |
Comprehensive Examination
The written comprehensive examination is designed to establish that the student has a broad understanding of nutrition and dietetics, statistics, and basic research methodology. The comprehensive examination will be administered after students have successfully completed the majority of required courses—typically during the Spring Quarter of the student's graduate year.
Normal time to complete the program
Three (3) years— two (2) years (seven [7] academic quarters) of undergraduate work for the B.S. plus one (1) year (four [4] academic quarters) of graduate-level courses at LLU — based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted
