Nutrition and Food Studies
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ACEND-Accredited Graduate Program

Montclair State University’s MS Nutrition and Food Science, Dietetics Concentration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0040 ext. 5400
http://www.eatrightPRO.org/ACEND

For more information about the ACEND accreditation standards visit the 2022 ACEND Accreditation Standards.

Contact Dr. Lauren Dinour, dinourl@montclair.edu, 973-655-5395 for more information.

Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Mission

The mission of the Montclair State University GP is to provide culturally-diverse students with a solid foundation in nutrition and dietetics. The program strives to offer a supportive learning environment with enriching academic training and real-world supervised practice experiences, preparing students for entry-level practice as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). Through an understanding of the standards of professional practice and development of skills, graduates can successfully pass the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians and will be poised to work in a variety of dietetic careers, serving as leaders and active members of the profession. The program is dedicated to excellence in intellectual development, critical thinking, ethical practice, and health equity.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: To prepare competent Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who have the knowledge and skills to succeed on the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians and enter the nutrition and dietetics workforce.
1.1. At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of program length) after entering the program.
1.2. At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
1.3. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registered exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam of dietitian nutritionist is at least 80%.
Goal 2: To prepare graduates for evidence-based practice as competent, entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
2.1. Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
2.2. At least 80% of employers surveyed will rate program graduates as “adequately prepared” or higher for entry-level practice.
2.3. At least 80% of program graduates surveyed one year after program completion report an overall rating of “adequately prepared” or higher for entry-level practice.

For related information or issues pertaining to the program and/or accreditation, and program outcome data, please contact Dr. Lauren Dinour (dinourl@montclair.edu), Graduate Program Director.

Application Requirements

For currently-enrolled BS-Dietetics and Pre-Dietetics Certificate students applying to the MS-Dietetics standalone program, achievement of a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 is required by the time of the Graduate School Fast-App date, which takes place in the spring of the student’s final undergraduate year. The application will only require student information and the desired program for acceptance, while transcript and other documentation will be obtained by the Graduate School themselves.

For currently-enrolled Montclair State University students applying to the BS-Dietetics/MS-Dietetics accelerated program, achievement of a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.4 is required by the time of the Graduate School Fast-App date, which takes place in the spring of the student’s final undergraduate year. The application will only require student information and the desired program for acceptance, while transcript and other documentation will be obtained by the Graduate School themselves.

External candidates (students not currently enrolled at Montclair State University) must apply to the MS-Dietetics through Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS). A minimum GPA of 3.2 from the most recent degree or certificate program is required, along with an ACEND DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree form.

DICAS applications require:

  1. Official transcripts from all previous schools
  2. Letters of recommendation (2)
  3. Personal statement
  4. Resume
  5. Listing of GPA and DPD courses; DPD course list from needs to be uploaded
  6. Listing of paid and volunteer work experiences
  7. Listing of achievements, experiences, memberships, licenses and certifications, honors and awards
  8. Personal information, including phone number and address where applicant can be reached
  9. ACEND DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree, to be sent by DPD Program Director
  10. The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted, and $25 for each additional application (subject to change)

Process to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

There are multiple pathways toward becoming a RDN. Information about the requirements and process to become a RDN can be found on ACEND’s website.

Students must:

  1. Complete a minimum of a master’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college or foreign equivalent, and coursework through an ACEND accredited Didactic (DPD), Coordinated (CP), GP, or Foreign (FDE) program.
  2. Complete required supervised practice/experience through an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship (DI), CP, GP, or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) offered through an ACEND- accredited program.

Montclair State University offers the MS-Dietetics Concentration (GP) to meet these requirements in the process of becoming an RDN. The GP is a graduate-level, competency-based program that integrates coursework and at least 1,000 hours of supervised experiential learning (SEL) for RDN eligibility.

To become a RDN at Montclair State University, students will need to:

  1. Complete required undergraduate-level prerequisites in one of three ways:
    1. Complete the BS-Dietetics Concentration at Montclair State University; or
    2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in any major at any accredited university and the Pre-Dietetics Certificate from Montclair State University; or
    3. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in any major at any accredited university and provide an ACEND verification statement from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Program (CP).
  2. Complete the MS-Dietetics Concentration, which includes required supervised experiential learning.
  3. Earn a GP Verification Statement by completing all GP program requirements.
  4. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR’s website at http://www.cdrnet.org.
  5. Apply for State Licensure/certification, if applicable; see below for more information.

While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.

For more information about licensure in the State of New Jersey, please visit: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/dan/Pages/default.aspx

Tuition and Fees

Tuition covers the cost of classroom instruction, supervised experiential learning, and professional liability insurance. Current tuition and fees will be based on 42 graduate credit hours for the standalone MS-Dietetics Concentration.

For students enrolled in the BS-Dietetics/MS-Dietetics, accelerated, 4+1 program, 12 graduate credits (4, 3-credit courses) can be completed during the BS degree and count toward the requirements of both programs, reducing total graduate credits to 30.

Additional program costs include:

  • Health insurance (variable cost)
  • Professional Liability Insurance, second year only (estimate $30)
  • Textbooks, school supplies, apps, and electronic/web-based subscriptions (estimate $500)
  • Lab coats (estimate $25 each)
  • Scrubs, as needed (estimate $50 per pair)
  • Physical exam and lab work (variable cost; estimate $300 depending on individual health requirements and health insurance)
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership (estimate $60)
  • Background check and urine drug screen (estimate $100+)
  • Mask fit testing, as needed (estimate $25 – $75)
  • Campus parking

Additional variable costs during the program include:

  • Housing (campus housing available, rates; average apartment rent $1700 in Clifton, NJ)
  • Travel (estimate $2000+ based on $55 for gas/week)
  • Car insurance
  • Meals (meal plan required for students living in University-owned residence halls, apartments, and houses, rates)
  • Parking at some facilities (can be up to $40 for one month)
  • Access to personal devices such as a personal computer, laptop, or tablet; devices must have the ability to access the internet (variable cost). Currently enrolled students with an active NetID and password can use the public computing labs or borrow laptops; for more information and lab schedule refer to the Student Services web page.
  • Access to a reliable internet service for distance education components such as virtual didactic class days and conferences, web-based education and training modules, and any virtual supervised experiential learning scheduled (estimate $25-50/month). Currently enrolled students with an active NetID and password can access internet service while on campus for free.

Academic and Program Calendar

The MS-Dietetics Concentration follows the University’s academic calendar. Students will be cohorted and complete courses in a pre-specified sequence.

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

Graduation and program completion requirements include:

  1. Successful completion of MS-Dietetics Concentration with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, no grade less than “C” in any course, and no more than 2 “C’s” in any of the graduate courses
  2. Documented completion of a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised experiential learning
  3. Demonstrate satisfactory achievement of all ACEND required competencies
  4. Pass the Comprehensive Exam for Dietetics with a minimum grade of 75%

Students must meet all requirements to receive a GP Verification Statement.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships

Montclair State University has a wide range of scholarships available to students to assist with the cost of education. This includes admissions-related scholarships (students receive upon admission), University-wide scholarships, College-wide scholarships, and specific Departmental scholarships. Information about many of these scholarships can be found on the University’s Financial Aid website.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for dietetic students. Visit the Academy’s scholarships page for more information.

Financial Aid

Students are strongly encouraged to be in communication with the Office of Financial Aid.

Technology Requirements

All students must have access to personal devices such as a personal computer, laptop, or tablet; devices must have a webcam, microphone, and the ability to access the internet. Currently enrolled students with an active NetID and password can use the public computing labs or borrow laptops; for more information and lab schedule refer to the Student Services web page. Students must have access to a reliable internet service for off-campus distance education components such as virtual didactic class days and conferences, web-based education and training modules, and any virtual supervised experiential learning scheduled. While on campus, currently enrolled students with an active NetID and password can access internet service.

All courses utilize the Canvas Learning Management System; minimum browser and computer requirements can be found on Canvas Guides.

All students are required to access and utilize their Montclair email account, web conferencing platforms (e.g. Zoom), and word processing programs. Students have free access to Microsoft Office 365 Education and Google Apps for Education; specialized software is available at the MSU Software repository.

Prior Learning Credit

At this time, students cannot transfer any credits toward the MS-Dietetics Concentration. The program also does not accept credit for prior learning or experience.