OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Open search box
Combine your internship with a Master’s degree
The accredited Masters of Science in Nutrition - Professional Dietetics (MSN-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) eligibility that after 2024, eligible candidates must hold a graduate degree to take the national RDN credential exam.
The Nutrition Graduate Program (NGP) at OSU has a long history of food and nutrition graduate programs. Academic Analytics has ranked the OSU-Nutrition Graduate Program 9th out of 60 nutrition sciences programs in the United States. This ranking is based on the faculty productivity index and includes information on peer-reviewed research publications, book publications, citations per faculty, research grants and awards.
The MSN-PD mission is to prepare advanced graduate level RDNs poised to meet future with advanced knowledge and research skills.
The MSN-PD program objectives include to produce graduates that can gather and utilize evidence to solve problems and advance practice and to learn research skills allowing to measure outcomes that demonstrates effectiveness and efficiency
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 a 78% job placement rate among our successful graduates. Some graduates are even hired before they are done.
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 9 program months. After the first year courses, graduates come to Oregon to complete the internship rotations, while taking 1-2 more courses completing the capstone project data and analysis and finalizing the capstone project and paper. Graduates are finished after presenting a defense of the capstone to your graduate committee and faculty in the final Spring term.
The coursework is followed by pre-arranged, 10-month, 1200 hours (40 hr/week) of supervised practice provided in rotation sites situated in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. There is no need to identify rotation sites to participate in this program, as you will spend the last year of the program in Oregon.
The rotations for the MSN-PD cross a wide range of practice sites. Each intern will rotate through 6-7 locations for a total of approximately 40 weeks.
Those weeks are usually divided as follows:
While in your internship, you will work on gathering evidence and data to support Capstone Research Project (CRP). The last three program months are devoted to finalizing and presenting a Capstone projects paper. The CRP is designed to teach and foster the development of research and evidence seeking skills in identifying best practices, and in justifying and making practice based decisions. Such skills build greater abilities and confidence in problem solving, and determine how best to achieve nutrition care outcomes and efficiencies food, nutrition and community services.
Some examples of capstone projects:
Program graduates will achieve the following outcomes:
Upon completion of the MSN- PD degree, students will demonstrate:
The program accepts 12 interns per year into this accredited graduate degree program. Each fall a cohort of 12 is accepted and they work through most of the curriculum and internship rotations follow. Our accreditation standards dictates 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 Summer after their first year of coursework in the program.
The MSN-PD program has 2 concentration areas; one in senior nutrition care and another community/primary care nutrition practice. Each intern also participates in rotations in the traditional venues of foodservice, clinical, and community. The program comprises 30+ rotation sites and 55+ preceptors.
Starts 3rd week in Septermber, with an online orientation; ends approximately at the end of the second week of June.
Runs continuously after course completion; first rotations will begin following the orientation during the 3rd week of June.
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.
Following DICAS System and Instructions and submit matching through D & D Digital Computer Matching Service.
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 (typically around February 15):
1) In our requirement for the DICAS Personal Statement please address only the following in 1000 words or less (do not answer the standard DICAS questions):
2) Application and Transcript Evaluation Fee* of $50
3) The Dietetic Internship Application - completed through the DICAS portal
4) Official Transcript(s) sealed in official envelope – submitted through DICAS
5) Three letters of recommendation (at least two DPD faculty) – submitted through DICAS
6) Signed Verification Statement for DPD or Declaration of Intent for Completion – submitted through DICAS
The DICAS application must be completed by the deadline specified on the DICAS website. http://portal.dicas.org/
The dietetic internship participates in the D&D Digital Computer Matching. Please provide D&D Digital the following information by registering at www.dnddigital.com
Submit D&D Digital required materials trough www.dnddigital.com.
Other contact information for D&D Digital:
D&D Digital Systems
304 Main St., Suite 301
Ames, IA. 50010-6148
Phone: (515) 292-0490
Fax: (515) 663-9427
E-mail: dnd@sigler.net
Failure to submit matching information disqualifies candidates from the internship selection process.
The top candidates are ranked by the dietetic internship selection committee and their names are sent in to the D&D Digital Computer Matching for selection of finalists. Follow instructions on the D&D website regarding your placement results. The process will be conducted so that student’s rights are protected and the non-discrimination policies of the program are maintained.
Unfortunately, we do not currently have OSU funding earmarked for scholarships for the MSN-PD. MSN-PD students would be eligible for Scholarships through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
No.
The Capstone Research Project is in lieu of a thesis.
Yes.
The MSN-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 MSN-PD has a strong, excellent dietetics internship, and utilizing rotations from sites that are not OSU contracted challenges our ability to maintain our excellent program outcomes. 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.
We are still developing a MSN-PD specific FAQ. In the meantime, refer to relevant information on the Dietetic Internship FAQ.
Program comparison between OSUDI (no degree DI) and MSN-PD (grad degree DI)
|
OSUDI Program (internship-only) |
MS/DI 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 |
June (end of year 1) to March (year 2) 40 hours per week |
| Holidays/Vacations | 2 weeks vacation over winter break, Thanksgiving and Friday after Thanksgiving, Memorial Day | Follows OSU Academic Calendar during first year; during rotations (year 2), 2 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) |
| 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 below |
| Capstone project | None | See details below |
Program cost comparisons between OSUDI (no degree DI) and MSN-PD (grad degree DI)
| Costs to student |
OSUDI Program (internship only) |
MS/DI Program (combined internship/graduate degree) |
|---|---|---|
| DI application and transcript evaluation fee | $50 | $50 |
| Graduate program application | None |
$135 (SOPHAS application) $75 (OSU Graduate Admission Fee) |
|
Tuition & Fees (payable at start of each term, fall/winter/spring/summer) |
$9000 for 2020-2021 class |
Estimated at $560/credit hour for 49-50 credits. Varies by electives; approximately ~ $28,000 to $30,000 for 2020 applicants. Refer to Ecampus Tuition and Fees. Same tuition cost for in and out of state students with Ecampus coursework. |
| Admission fee | $30 | $75 |
| Matriculation fee | None | $350 |
| National criminal background check | $60 | $60 |
| 10-panel urine drug screen | $50 | $50 |
| 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) | $1900 | $1900 |
| Monthly apartment rental estimate, depends on location; other living expenses variable | $600-$900 |
$600-$900 MS/DI students can choose to live outside of Oregon for first two terms 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 student loans, but they are eligible for loan deferment of their existing student loans | Yes, students will be eligible for student loans and AND/OSU scholarships. |
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. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
See more information about educational pathways to become a RDN see information for students.click here.
Are you interested in just a dietetics internship without a degree?