Family and Consumer Sciences

M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics

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This program is offered in-person.

This program is designed for current graduate dietetic interns preparing to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) as well as individuals who are already an RDN and desiring a master’s degree that complements existing professional skills. RDNs work in a variety of healthcare, community, food service management, industry and research positions where an understanding of nutritional science and the ability to explain it to the public and specific populations are required.

Join us for an information session on October 26 at 12pm ET to learn about the education and career requirements needed to become a registered dietician. This session will cover the new master's degree requirement, internship details, and the program offerings at WMU to support your registered dietician journey.

New RDN Requirement: Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master's degree in addition to supervised practice to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Why Nutrition and Dietetics at Western Michigan University?

This program enables students to combine supervised practice (also known as a dietetic internship) with 30 graduate credits to earn a master’s degree within 20 months.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Who should apply?

Current graduate dietetic interns preparing to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) as well as individuals who are already an RDN and desiring a master’s degree that complements existing professional skills.

"There's always new and exciting information to be learned within the field, and I really wanted to take advantage of everything that WMU had to offer" - MIgdalia, alumna

Additional information

Admission requirements

Admission to the program requires one of the following:

Prior or current acceptance into the WMU Dietetic Internship Program. The WMU Dietetic Internship Program uses Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) for admissions. Using DICAS, applicants are admitted once per year on or near February 15.
Those with RDN status will need to demonstrate completion of a bachelor’s degree from an approved accredited school; statements verifying completion of a didactic program in dietetics, a coordinated program in dietetics, or a dietetic internship; and a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale of undergraduate work.
A current resume.
Three letters of recommendation including at least one academic reference.
Two -page essay that provides the following:

1. Describe experience(s) that influenced your career choice and your desire to return to graduate school.

2. Explain how having an M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics will advance your career

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program may often work in: