Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

EARN A MPH OR MS DEGREE IN DIETETICS!

The University of Michigan School of Public Health's Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics provides a direct path for students wishing to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) by combining didactic learning and supervised practice (internship) into an integrated 2-year program of study and field experience. Are you considering becoming an RDN and are unsure how our program compares to others? Please see our FAQ for more information.

We offer different graduate degree paths to fulfill all the requirements needed for graduation and eligibility to sit for the registration exam for dietitians—Master of Science (MS) (2 options) and Master of Public Health (MPH). Please see this FAQ to determine which degree program is best for you.

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential is earned with successful completion of both specified didactic education and supervised-practice experiences through programs accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy, and successful completion of the Registration Examination for Dietitians. RDNs work in a variety of settings, including health care, business, sports and corporate wellness, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice.

2-Year Program | 50+ Credit Hours | 1,000+ Hours Experiential Learning

MPH CURRICULUM

Applied practice experience deliverable and interprofessional experience requirement.
Core public health integrative courses with a year-long team project

MS CURRICULUM

Evidence-based project/paper or thesis
Strong focus on research development and clinical nutrition practice

How to Apply

MPH

Applications for the Nutritional Sciences MPH program are processed through SOPHAS.

Apply Here

MS

All MS applicants apply to our program through the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School.

Apply Now

Learn all about the new Dietetics program at
Michigan Public Health Department of Nutritional Sciences

Program Accreditation

University of Michigan School of Public Health Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (302) 899-0040 ext. 5400
https://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND.

Credentialing

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/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 the CDR’s website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at The University of Michigan School of Public Health are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

Contact

For additional information please contact:

Susan Aaronson, Program Director
Sarah Ball, Assistant Program Director
UM-SPH-Dietetics@umich.edu

Courses	Notes
Calculus or statistics* (required for MS degree only)	1 semester
Inorganic/general chemistry*	1 semester, lab not required
Organic chemistry	1 semester, lab not required
Biochemistry	1 semester
Human Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology	1 semester
Microbiology	1 semester
English*	1 semester
Any psychology*, anthropology or sociology course	1 semester

Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

2-Year Program | 50+ Credit Hours | 1,000+ Hours Experiential Learning

MPH CURRICULUM

MS CURRICULUM

How to Apply

MPH

MS

Learn all about the new Dietetics program at
Michigan Public Health Department of Nutritional Sciences

Program Accreditation

Credentialing

Contact

Information For

About Us

Student Resources

Connect

Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

2-Year Program | 50+ Credit Hours | 1,000+ Hours Experiential Learning

MPH CURRICULUM

MS CURRICULUM

Mission

Goals and Objectives

Program Prerequisites

Core Classes for Dietetics

Sample Schedule

Estimated Program Costs

How to Apply

MPH

MS

Learn all about the new Dietetics program at Michigan Public Health Department of Nutritional Sciences

Program Accreditation

Credentialing

Contact

Information For

About Us

Student Resources

Connect

Learn all about the new Dietetics program at
Michigan Public Health Department of Nutritional Sciences