Dietetics Graduate Program

Prerequisite Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Science in dietetics must have earned a bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) or be completing the University of Idaho 3 + 2 program B.S. in food and nutrition and have taken the following prerequisite courses before beginning the Master of Science in dietetics:

• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Carbon Compounds or Organic Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Introduction to Microbiology plus Lab
• Introduction to Psychology
• Pre-Calculus Algebra
• Principles of Statistics
• Human Nutrition
• Advanced Nutrition or Macro and Micro Nutrient Metabolism
• Introductory Foods or Food Science with a lab
• Meal Management or equivalent

Students may be enrolled with up to fifteen credits of outstanding prerequisite courses the semester they apply to the program and must demonstrate proof of enrollment in those courses in their application.

Application

To apply visit: Dietetics — Graduate Admissions

Or starting your DICAS Application — Liaison

Required application components include:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose
• Transcripts

Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended that contributed to the baccalaureate degree as well as transcripts documenting completion of the prerequisite courses. If prerequisite courses have not been completed at the application deadline, students may demonstrate their enrollment in up to fifteen credits by uploading a screenshot from the college/university website that demonstrates enrollment in the course(s). International students must submit a foreign degree equivalency statement from an approved professional credential evaluation service. 

• Letters of Recommendation

Applicants need three letters of recommendation. At least one reference should be a non-University of Idaho food and nutrition faculty member. At least one reference should be a supervisor or manager. The third reference can be either a supervisor/manager or a non-University of Idaho food and nutrition faculty member.

• 3.0 on a 4.0 scale overall GPA in undergraduate degree
• TOEFL/IELTS (International Students Only)

All international applicants must submit an acceptable, official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. The University of Idaho’s Institutional Code is… The minimum score accepted is 79/6.5

International students do not need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score, if: English is an official/native language.

• Interview

Year 1 Fall (Moscow)

• FN 464 Nutrition Counseling (3)
• FN 470 Quantity Food Production and Equipment (3)
• FN 471 Quantity Food Production and Equipment Lab (2)
• FN 491 Community Nutrition (3)
• FCS 501 Graduate Seminar (1)
• Stat 431 (3)

Total credits = 15

Year 1 Spring (Moscow)

• FN 450 Global Nutrition (3)
• FN 465 Clinical Dietetics (3)
• FN 466 Nutrition Assessment Lab (1)
• FN 492 Nutrition Education (3)
• Pep 455 Design and Analysis of Research (3)

Total credits = 13

Summer between Year 1 and Year 2 (Moscow, Coeur d’ Alene or Boise)

• FN 591 Applied Community Nutrition (5 credits)

Year 2 Fall (Moscow)

• FN 509 Nutrition and Dietetics Professional Skills (1)
• FN 565 Nutrition Therapy and Disease (3)
• FN 570 Management and Leadership in Dietetics (3)
• FCS 501 Graduate Seminar (1)
• FCS 599 Non-thesis Requirement (1)

Total credits = 9

Year 2 Spring (Moscow, Coeur d'Alene or Boise)

• FN 566 Applied Clinical Dietetics (7)
• FN 571 Applied Food and Nutrition Management (7)

Total credits = 14

Through focused excellence in teaching and supervised experiential learning, the University of Idaho Master of Science in dietetics (M.S.D.) comprehensively prepares graduates for practice as a registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN).

• Graduates will be prepared to successfully complete credentialing and licensing/certifying.
• Graduates will demonstrate high employability in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

• At least 80% of program students complete the program requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
• At least 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• At least 80% of preceptors would theoretically be willing to employ the graduate.
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of employers will be “satisfied” when asked about employer satisfaction with graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice.

Program outcomes data is available upon request.

After Jan. 1, 2024, to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam for registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) one must have completed an ACEND accredited program and a minimum of a master's degree.

Following completion of program requirements in the master of science in dietetics at the University of Idaho, students will graduate and receive a verification statement. The graduate degree and the verification statement ensure eligibility to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. After becoming credentialed, state licensure or certification, can be obtained. State licensure must be obtained in Idaho. For information licensure by state data table (pdf). The graduate is then eligible to work as an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN at About Accredited Programs.

For graduate school for 2022-2023, estimated costs are listed below:

Full time student fees and tuition

$9,968 — per year (Idaho resident)
$29,204 — per year (non-resident)

$10,864 — housing and meals
$1,232 — books and supplies
$1,200 — transportation
$3,720 — miscellaneous and personal

Total — $26,984 (Idaho resident)
Total — $46,220 (non-resident)

• Housing and meals — Costs vary; the figure above is the cost for a double room in Theophilus Tower or Wallace Residence Center and The Vandal meal plan. Non-traditional students, students who live with their parents or students who have children living with them have different housing and meal costs. Other than these situations, a student's living arrangement does not affect the cost of attendance used by Student Financial Aid Services.
• Book and supplies — Expenses are estimated costs for a full-time student for one academic year.
• Transportation — Actual costs for a student vary greatly depending on factors such as the need for transportation to a job or internship and how far a student must travel to get home on school breaks.
• Miscellaneous and personal — Expenses include items such as clothing, health insurance, special course fees, federal loan fees, personal care products, laundry, etc. These items are considered indirect costs and will vary for each student.

The program is completed in two academic years and one summer session. Supervised experiential learning is required during the summer between the first and second academic year. The fall, winter and spring breaks follow the academic calendar https://www.uidaho.edu/events/academic-calender.

University of Idaho and federal financial aid can be received in the form of scholarships, loans, grants and/or student employment. More information about the different types of financial aid is available from Student Financial Aid Services or visit www.uidaho.edu/financial-aid.

Scholarships are available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation.

The Master of Science in dietetics is part of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP).