Master of Science in Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics

Only DDP program with a clinic practicum. This program allows you to complete the academic and competency requirements for registered dietitian (RDN) eligibility.

Master of Science in Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics Overview

There are many ways to turn your passion for food and nutrition into a fulfilling profession. Through a hands-on curriculum and holistic education, Bastyr’s Master of Science in Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics (MSN/DPD) gives you the training you need to feel confident in pursuing a successful career in nutrition.   

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), this nutrition program will prepare you to practice nutrition counseling in a vast number of clinical settings such as private practice, hospitals, eating disorder treatment centers, rehabilitation and addiction centers, and more. 

Next start date
Location
Seattle
Program Length

2 years, full time

Cost

$742/credit hour

MSN/Didactic Program in Dietetics Highlights

ACEND Accredited

92

Number of Clinical Hours of Training

Internship Match Rates 100%

Program Details

Students may take individual, science-based prerequisites as a non-matriculated student. If you wish to discuss taking specific pre-requisites at Bastyr, please contact Admissions. Here is a list of courses offered.

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university.  
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate degree required to be considered for admission.  
  • Entering students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university and a minimum GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 in the last 45 credits in their undergraduate degree, or a B or better in Human Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, and a C or better in all other prerequisite courses. Exceptional candidates who do not meet these standards will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Human Physiology or a combined Human Anatomy and Physiology course - 1 course

Organic Chemistry* - 1 course

Biochemistry* - 1 course

Introductory Nutrition - 1 course

General Psychology - 1 course 

College Algebra or Statistics - 1 course

Microbiology - 1 course

*Must be science major level and not survey level with at least one lab in any science class.

Note: Biochemistry course must have been taken within seven years of program start.   

View list of prerequisite courses available at Bastyr University. 

Bastyr accepts graduate and undergraduate transfer credits earned at accredited colleges and universities. Learn what you need to make this process go smoothly.

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  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist* in a vast number of clinical settings such as private practice, hospitals, eating disorder treatment centers, rehabilitation and addiction centers, and more. 
  • Public health programs and administration 
  • Corporate wellness 
  • Food and nutrition consulting and writing 
  • Future academic career in a university, administrative, government or public health setting 
  • Research in a clinical or laboratory environment 

*Upon graduation, students fulfill the academic requirements to pursue a dietetic internship, on the path to gaining the RD credential. 

In addition to successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) a student must accomplish the following:

  • Obtain a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college. 
  • Receive a verification statement of coursework completion from an ACEND-accredited program (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics), which is required for admission to ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs/dietetic internships. 
  • Apply for a supervised practice program/dietetic internship through an online platform called the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS). More information about DICAS and preparing the online application on the DICAS Portal.
  • Register for the computer matching process through DnD Digital, which facilitates a computerized method that provides a systematic and unbiased way to match the preferences of applicants for supervised practice programs/dietetic internships with the preferences of directors of these programs.
    • Further explanation of the DICAS application and computer matching process can be found here. 
  • Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, i.e., a dietetic internship and receive a verification statement of completion.
  • Successfully pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists.

To practice as an RDN, one must also obtain state-specific certification or licensure, as applicable. Additional information regarding state licensing agencies and requirements can be found here. Potential applicants should also be aware that effective in 2024, a master’s degree will be required to take the credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists. For more information regarding careers in the field of dietetics, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics