Nutrition and Dietetics (Post DPD) — M.S.
The M.S. degree for graduates of a bachelor-level didactic program in dietetics (DPD) is specifically designed for those who choose not to pursue a standard dietetic internship, but who wish to complete a coordinated master's degree and supervised practice experience, establishing eligibility for writing the registration examination for dietitians. This curriculum builds upon didactic coursework in nutrition and dietetics, culminating with an M.S. degree and a verification statement covering both didactic and supervised practice requirements.
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 of 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 ability to translate evidence-based literature into formats 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:
- Bachelor's degree from an ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics
- complete program prerequisites
- have a 3.0 G.P.A. or above (science and non-science)
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- complete an interview
- provide a DPD verification statement (or equivalent if international)
Prerequisites
- College algebra or higher
- Anatomy and physiology with laboratory, complete sequence (two terms)
- General chemistry with laboratory, two semester/three quarters
- Microbiology with laboratory
| Junior Year | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| AHCJ 305 | Infectious Disease and the Health-Care Provider | 1 |
| Graduate Years | ||
| AHCJ 548 | Human Resource Management in the Health-Care Environment | 3 |
| AHRM 571 | Statistics and Research for Health Professionals I | 3 |
| AHRM 572 | Statistics and Research for Health Professionals II | 3 |
| AHRM 604 | Research-Proposal Writing | 3 |
| DTCS 506 | Professional Seminar in Nutrition and Dietetics | 1 |
| DTCS 526 | Pharmacology in Medical Nutrition Therapy | 2 |
| DTCS 545 | Nutrition Care Management | 4 |
| DTCS 554 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| DTCS 574 | Advanced Food Systems Management | 3 |
| DTCS 576 | Exercise Physiology in Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| DTCS 5891 | 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 course approved by advisor | 2 | |
| Elective: Nutrition-related graduate course | 2 | |
| RELE 5____ Graduate-level ethics course | 3 | |
| Total Units: | 62 | |
Affiliation and practicum units are required in addition to the didactic units listed above.
| Affiliation and practicum | ||
| DTCS 778 | Clinical Nutrition Affiliation (6, 12) 2 | 24 |
| DTCS 795 | Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Practicum | 12 |
| Total Units | 36 | |
- 1
Fulfills service learning requirement
- 2
Multiple registrations required to fulfill unit requirement
Comprehensive Examination
Comprehensive Examination is designed to establish that the student has a broad understanding of nutrition and dietetics, statistics, and basic research methodology. The written comprehensive examination will be administered after students have successfully completed the majority of required courses. The comprehensive examination will typically occur during the spring quarter of the student’s second year in the MS program.
Normal time to complete the program
Two (2) years (eight [8] academic quarters) at LLU — based on full-time enrollment
