Dietetics MS

  • Master's Degree
UNC Extended Campus Center with University of Northern Colorado sign on building.
Format
  • Online
Location
  • Online
Estimated Completion Time

20 Months

Start Date

Fall Term (Aug.)

Tuition Rate

$698/Credit

Credits

32

Area of Study
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An Online Dietetics Master’s Degree

Our online Dietetics Master of Science (MS) degree is a flexible way to earn your master’s degree and gain the most current knowledge in the field.

This program is for students who have completed (or are almost finished with) an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The online format helps you fit this program around your job and family commitments.

What You’ll Learn

You will deepen your nutrition knowledge to become an expert in the field. Course topics include:

  • Nutrition assessment and intervention
  • Macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism
  • Nutrition counseling methods
  • Public health
  • Dietetic research

You will also have elective course choices that let you focus on nutrition topics or populations that are important to you.

Your RDN Career

This program is intended for current and future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN).

Expert Dietetic Care

This program gives you the expertise you need to provide the best care, whether you are already an RDN or you need your master’s degree before your internship. Graduates of this Dietetics masters program work in:

  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Public health departments and government agencies
  • Research settings and industry
  • Schools
  • Private practice

You’ll gain the critical thinking and leadership skills that help you move forward in your career as an RDN.

ACEND Announcement

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) has changed the degree requirement for dietitian registration eligibility from a Bachelor’s degree to a Master’s degree (in any field) in addition to the current requirement of a verification statement from an ACEND accredited dietetics program. More information:

Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Frequently Asked Questions

Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Student Option Scenarios

Course of Study

Delivered Fully Online

  • The Dietetics MS program can be completed fully online in less than two years (about 20 months).
  • The program starts each fall term (August). You will take courses each fall and spring term, and you will have the summer term off.

To see specific course offerings, visit an example current students page for this program.

Courses and Requirements

This is a 32-credit master’s degree program.

View Courses & Degree Requirement Details

Transfer Credit

If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.

Also Available with a Dietetic Internship

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Dietetics MS with Dietetic Internship

We also offer a Dietetics MS program that includes an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship. Choose this program if you have not already completed your internship.

Have Questions? Get in Touch!

Tuition Rate

Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate

You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.

$698

Per Credit

Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*

No Student / Technology Fees

Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.

*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.

Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.

Federal Financial Aid

Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.

You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).

  • Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
  • If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
  • Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.

You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.

Access the FAFSA Form

Program Eligibility

General Admission Requirements

  • Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
  • Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
    • If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
  • Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

  • Possess at least one of the following:
    • Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics through an ACEND accredited program resulting in a DPD Verification Statement, or will have completed a DPD prior to starting the M.S. program as verified by a Declaration of Intent to Complete (Declaration of Intent). Please discuss the options for declaration or verification with your Didactic Program Director. If you have not completed the minimum Didactic Courses in Dietetics through an accredited DPD program you are not eligible for a declaration or verification from your university program. To fulfill this requirement, you may be interested in our online Dietetics B.S. or DPD-only program.
      -or-
    • Proof of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist status through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
  • Your application can be considered if you have cumulative GPA below 3.0, but all applicants must have a combined 3.0 GPA or better for all of your DPD courses, with at least a C grade for each course.

Eligibility for Out-of-State Students

Eligibility by State

UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.

International Student Eligibility

You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.

No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.

You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:

  • Minimum English language requirements
  • Applying as an international student

Meet with an Enrollment Counselor

Speak with an Enrollment Counselor by phone or video.

Meet with Enrollment Counselor

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Visit the Academic Department

Are You Ready to Apply?

Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.

Program Eligibility

See the Program Eligibility section above.

International Applicants

Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.

Application Deadlines

  • Priority Deadline: March 15. All applications received by March 15 will be evaluated as a group and notified of a decision by the middle of April. Applications received by this date also receive full consideration for department scholarships and graduate assistantships.
  • Standard Deadline: April 15. Additional applications will be considered on a space-available basis until April 15.

Application Process Details

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