Master of Science in Nutrition with Local Supervised Practice

A graduate degree that prepares students for a career as a Registered Dietitian, focusing on the areas of public health/community nutrition or clinical nutrition.

Our program’s philosophy is to promote the Sinsinawa Dominicans’ dedication to the values-centered intellectual development. Therefore, our program strives to recruit and serve a diversified community as well as promote an appreciation for service to the community and our profession. Students wishing to earn a Master's in Nutrition with Supervised Practice must enroll in and successfully complete the Local Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) program. All classes are held at our River Forest campus and all supervised practice experiences are arranged by Dominican University and are located within a 50 mile radius of our campus. To qualify for the ISPP, students must have a bachelor's degree, a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement from an ACEND-accredited DPD program and must not have received a match through the formal internship matching process (DICAS).

This program enables students to earn a MS degree in Nutrition and complete all requirements necessary to become an entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The Local ISPP portion of the program includes an emphasis on cultural diversity in community nutrition, with a minimum of 1,000 hours of field experience divided between community, clinical nutrition, food service management, and outpatient/specialty rotations. Most students have supervised practice three to four days (21–28 hours) per week. Upon satisfactory completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. For more information about our program, please review our Coordinated and Local ISPP Programs Student Handbook (pdf).

Accreditation

Dominican University’s Local ISPP Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) an agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy). Upon satisfactory completion of all MBA with a Coordinated Program in Dietetics requirements, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Information about accreditation status can be obtained from:

Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1 (800) 877-1600 ext 5400
Website: https://eatright.org/acend

Requirements and Process to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

In order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) the following criteria must be met:

  • Complete a bachelor’s degree at a university or college accredited by ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) and received a verification statement of completed requirements. Beginning January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
  • Complete an ACEND accredited dietetic coordinated program, internship or individualized supervised practice pathway (ISSP).
  • Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
  • Secure licensure in your practicing state (if applicable). The state of Illinois requires all Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to be licensed.
  • Maintain professional continuing education requirements.

For additional information on program test completion, pass rates, and progress on program goal outcomes, please visit Dominican University consumer information.

The program fulfills the requirements for a master's degree in nutrition and the supervised practice requirements to sit for the Registered Dietitian Examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The ISPP will enable you to complete your supervised practice requirements with robust opportunities and experiences in each rotation. You will also participate in extensive preparation for the Registration Examination for Dietitians, including a two-day RD Exam Review Workshop, use of RD exam software throughout the program, and our RD Boot Camp. Upon completion, students receive a Verification Statement for application to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.