Masters of Science in Nutrition - Professional Dietetics (MS-PD)
Combine your internship with a Master’s degree
Welcome to the accredited Dietetic Internship at Oregon State University.
Oregon State offers both a combined MS/DI (called the MS-PD) and a stand-alone DI (called the OSUDI).
The accredited Masters of Science in Nutrition - Professional Dietetics (MS-PD) program is a combined 22-month, online curriculum, graduate degree with Oregon based dietetic internship rotation sites.
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
This program meets the new Commission for Dietetics Registration (CDR) graduate degree requirement that after 2024, eligible candidates must hold a graduate degree to take the national RDN credential exam.
Virtual Open House
You’re invited to a virtual open house on Tuesday, May 13 at 11 a.m. PST!
The MS-PD program will be admitting up to 12 students and will be participating in the early admission application cycle in fall 2025.
Contact [email protected] to register for the virtual open house.
Minimum requirements for program eligibility
- Verification statement from ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
- Bachelors degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA; 3.2 in nutrition/dietetics courses
GRE no longer Required
We join many other programs at Oregon State and other peer institutions across the country who have eliminated this structural barrier to promote a more equitable, diverse and inclusive student body.
Application procedures
Follow DICAS System and Instructions.
Read carefully as we have some unique requirements that differ from the general instructions in DICAS
Submit a complete Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) application packet made up of the following items by the deadline posted for DICAS (January 15).
Application Requirements
- Application completed through the DICAS portal
- Official Transcript(s), submitted through DICAS
- Three letters of recommendation (at least two DPD faculty), submitted through DICAS
- Signed DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent for Completion, submitted through DICAS
- Personal Statement. Please address the following in 1000 words or less:
- Describe how your education, experience, and professional interests make you a strong candidate for this program.
- What is the role of the dietitian in facilitating clients or patients to change their eating behaviors?
- After completing a project and submitting it for evaluation, your preceptor rates your work lower than you expected, which means you will need to re-do the project to their satisfaction. How would you handle this situation?
Application fee
Program application fee* of $50
- Payable to: OSUDI
- Mailed to: Jenny Jackson, Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Public Health, OSU, 204 Milam Hall Corvallis OR 97331.
- This is in addition to fees paid to DICAS.
- *DICAS applications received by DICAS deadline without receipt of application fee by OSU will not be reviewed.
- Please indicate in your mailed packet whether you are interested in applying to the OSUDI, the MS-PD, or both programs.
Mission
The mission of the MS-PD option is to provide a challenging, graduate-level supervised practice program that mentors and trains entry-level RDN practitioners who are prepared to be leaders with advanced skills in diverse practice areas of food and nutrition practice.
The graduate online degree program utilizes the existing rotations sites of our strong accredited dietetics program, having a 97% 10-year RDN examination pass rate, a 100% program completion rate and an exceptional job placement rate within 6 months of program completion. Some graduates are even hired before they are done
Curriculum and sequence
The program curriculum is made up of a pre-set group of advanced courses in nutrition, dietetics and health using online delivery during the first 12 program months. After the first year courses, students move to Oregon to complete the internship rotations, while taking 1-2 more courses and completing the capstone project and paper. Graduates are finished after presenting a defense of the capstone project to their graduate committee in the final Spring term.
Rotations
The coursework is followed by pre-arranged, 10-month, 1000 hours (40 hr/week) of supervised practice provided in rotation sites situated in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. All rotation sites are secured by the program and students must reside in Oregon to complete the dietetic internship component of the program.
The dietetic internship rotations cover a wide range of practice sites. Each intern will rotate through 6-7 locations for a total of approximately 35 weeks.
Those weeks are typically divided as follows:
- 10-15 weeks clinical nutrition care (inpatient and outpatient)
- 4-8 weeks of community: WIC, Oregon State University Extension offices, OSU Basic Needs Center, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.
- 4-5 weeks of foodservice: hospital, long term care, schools
- 7-10 weeks other area (dialysis, geriatric, sports primary care)
- 1 week of staff relief
Capstone project
A Capstone Project is required in lieu of a thesis for MS-PD option of the MS Nutrition Graduate Program. Students may choose between two capstone options: Capstone Research Project (CRP) or Capstone Practice Project (CPP). Both options culminate in a final presentation and oral examination.
Capstone Research Project
The CRP is a scholarly endeavor including an original research project that culminates in a scholarly paper and presentation. Student who choose the CRP will be offered a choice of available research and/or practice-based projects, after being pre-identified by the Nutrition faculty and the MS-PD preceptors (site supervisors). The goal is to prepare students for advanced practice by building skills to address practice-based problems or questions using evidence to evaluate the outcomes of care, effectiveness of treatment, service quality and/or program evaluations. The CRP builds graduate student skills in applying research approaches to solving food and nutrition problems and practice decisions.
Capstone Practice Project
The CPP is a scholarly endeavor including a professional paper/portfolio and an oral presentation and examination. Students, in consultation with their advisor, select competencies along with their approaches for synthesizing them. The CPP describes the student’s experiences and accomplishments while completing the MS-PD option. The project allows students to reflect on their knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout their MS-PD coursework and apply them to their internship experience. The portfolio provides a platform by which students can 1) plan their MS-PD program with the support and guidance of their advisor, and 2) assess and evaluate their progress towards mastery and synthesis of ACEND competencies (CDRNs) in an ongoing manner.
ROI: Return on Ingestion
Does the food you eat have a return on investment?
James Shepherd, a first-year MS-Professional Dietetics student assessed the impact of a six-week workplace wellness program for his MS-PD capstone project and explored stakeholders’ motivations for funding onsite health promotion.
The MS-PD program goals
- to prepare Master’s degree intern graduates who are competent as entry-level practitioners.
- to prepare Master’s degree intern graduates who demonstrate competence in applying research skills in practice and who demonstrate leadership skills.
The MS-PD graduate outcomes
Outcomes data available by request
Program graduates will achieve the following outcomes:
- Within three years of completing the program, at least 25% will begin to pursue an advanced practice credential and/or be involved in leadership or research in their profession or elsewhere.
- At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 33 months (150% of planned program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 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%.
- 50% of employers who provide intern evaluations will indicate a mean overall evaluation score of 3.5 on a 5-point scale.
OSU graduate learning outcomes (GLOs)
- GLO #1: Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work
- GLO #2: Demonstrate mastery of subject material
- GLO #3: Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner
Program details
The program accepts up to 12 interns per year into this accredited graduate degree program. Each fall a cohort is accepted and they complete their academic coursework followed by the dietetic internship.
Our accreditation standards dictate that even as graduate level students, all interns are prepared to be generalists, so rotations cover a wide range of the diversity in dietetics practice.
Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to take the RDN registration exam.
Due to the program design, interns are not required to move to Oregon until the summer after their first year of coursework in the program.
Each intern participates in rotations in the traditional venues of foodservice, clinical, and community. The program comprises 30+ rotation sites and 55+ preceptors. Interns may have the opportunity to participate in other rotations such as geriatric nutrition, sports nutrition, and primary care.
MS-PD timetable for completion of degree
Year 1
Starts 3rd week in September, with an online orientation; ends approximately at the end of the second week of June.
- Complete primary coursework and plan capstone project with major professor.
- Meet with the full graduate committee and submit a program of study by the end of winter term
- Develop and propose capstone project proposal by the end of Spring term
- Begin internship rotations in Fall of year 2
Year 2
Runs continuously after year 1 course completion; first rotations will begin following internship orientation in Fall of year 2.
- Complete internship rotations by end of Spring term (NUTR 510)
- Complete Capstone Project during Fall and Winter terms (NUTR 506)
- Participate in Seminar (NUTR 507)
- Finalize paper and presentation for Capstone Project
- Present a defense of the Capstone Project to your graduate committee in Spring (NUTR 506) and pass final oral examination.
MS-PD FAQ
MS-PD students are eligible for Scholarships through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They are also eligible to apply for OSU graduate students scholarships during their first year in the program, with potential funds available during the second year.
No.
The Capstone Project is in lieu of a thesis.
Yes.
The MS-PD includes ~28-30 graduate level quarter hour credits of coursework that would be transferable into a graduate program. Internship and Capstone credits would not be transferable to most universities or PhD programs.
No.
The MS-PD has a strong, excellent dietetics internship component. Utilizing rotations from sites that are not contracted with OSU challenges our ability to maintain our excellent program. Out of state educational agreements are also restricted by US Dept of Education, and would require that OSU make payments to state departments outside of OSU.
Yes.
As a graduate degree program and internship combined, you are eligible for NDSL loans and loan deferments. This link discusses student loan programming.
The program sponsor is OSU on the Corvallis campus. However, most rotations are not in Corvallis and may involve a commute regardless of where you might choose to live. During applicant interviews, information about living location and rotations, and commuting is discussed. Flexibility is an advantage.
All interns will have some commuting; interns can expect to commute for about 50% of the year. We try to minimize commuting by suggesting living locations to the incoming intern class. Interns in past years have also stayed with each other on occasion to decrease commuting.
OSU placement for graduates is solid. In previous years many interns have jobs within 2 weeks of graduation and some had jobs before they finished the internship! We have graduates working all over in community, clinical and in foodservice.
OSU places interns in a minimum of 6-7 rotations sites and graduates describe the variety of rotations a program plus. The exposure allows interns to find real opportunities to explore their professional interest and direction.
We are proud of our 96.7% first-time RD pass rate for the past 9 years.
Program schedule
Program comparison between OSU-DI (no degree DI) and MS-PD (grad degree DI)
Scroll table left right on mobile devices
| OSU-DI Program (internship-only) |
MS-PD Program (combined internship/graduate degree) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Program Calendar | 9.5 months long September to June |
22 months long September Year 1 to June Year 2 |
| Rotation Schedule | September through June 40 hours per week |
September through June 40 hours per week |
| Holidays/Vacations | 3 weeks vacation over winter break, Thanksgiving and Friday after Thanksgiving, Memorial Day | Follows OSU Academic Calendar during first year; during rotations (year 2), 3 weeks vacation over winter break, Thanksgiving and Friday after Thanksgiving |
| Didactic Hours | Orientation, professional meetings (such as Oregon Academy Educational Conference), and monthly didactic classes | Intern orientation, professional meetings (such as Oregon Academy Educational Conference), and monthly didactic classes |
| Rotation sites | 6-8 rotation sites plus staff relief and choice rotations | 6-8 rotation sites plus staff relief and choice rotations |
| Graduate coursework | None | See details above |
| Capstone project | None | See details above |
Student costs
Program cost comparisons between OSU-DI (no degree DI) and MS-PD (grad degree DI)
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| Costs to student | OSUDI Program (internship only) |
MS-PD Program (combined internship/graduate degree) |
|---|---|---|
| DI application and transcript evaluation fee | $50 | $50 |
| OSU Graduate School Application Fee | $35 | $75 |
| Tuition & Fees (payable at start of each term, fall/winter/spring/summer) |
Estimated at $366 per credit hour for 30 credits; approximately $11,000. Refer to Ecampus Tuition and Fees. Same tuition cost for in and out of state students. |
Estimated at $571/credit hour for 49-50 credits. Varies by electives; approximately ~ $30,000. Refer to Ecampus Tuition and Fees. Same tuition cost for in and out of state students with Ecampus coursework. |
| Matriculation fee | None | $350 |
| National criminal background check | $60 | $60 |
| 10-panel urine drug screen | $30 | $30 |
| Medical exam, immunizations, titers, and TB testing if not current | Up to $200 | Up to $200 |
| Transportation costs estimate | $400-$800 | $400-$800 |
| Liability coverage | $32 | $32 |
| Health insurance purchased through OSU (If do not have personal health insurance) | $1200 per term | $1200 per term |
| Monthly apartment rental estimate, depends on location; other living expenses variable | $600-$900 | $600-$900 MS-PD students can choose to live outside of Oregon for 1st year of program |
| Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics dues | $50 | $100 (2 years) |
| Oregon Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics meeting | $150 (estimate) | $300 (2 years) |
| Estimated texts and supplies | $250 | $500 |
| Financial aid available? All students are encouraged to apply for scholarships from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics |
No; interns will not qualify for federal student loans, but they are eligible for loan deferment of their existing student loans | Yes, students will be eligible for student loans and OSU scholarships. |
Program costs
- Tuition and fees
- See estimated cost of attendance updated annually, which includes tuition, fees, living expenses, books and supplies, and transportation
Distance education costs & requirements
The OSU MS-PD is a hybrid program, with all coursework available online via OSU Ecampus and internship rotations in Oregon. The first year of the program is 100% online while the second year requires students to reside in Oregon for the dietetic internship component.
University Information & Technology supports students with ONID accounts, learning technologies including Canvas, software packages, equipment checkout, printing, technical support, and computing labs.
Master's degree minimum requirement
Effective January 1, 2024 the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023.
For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website.
In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Master of Science in Nutrition-Professional Dietetics at Oregon State University are eligible to sit for the credentialing exam for Registered Dietitians.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. View information about state licensure requirements.
See more information about educational pathways to become a RDN.
Are you interested in a dietetics internship without a degree?