Curriculum

The BS/MS Accelerated option coordinates undergraduate and graduate coursework as well as over 1000 hours of supervised practice. The undergraduate education and supervised practice components are currently required to be eligible for the Registration Exam for Dietitians. Starting January 1, 2024, students must also complete a graduate degree in addition to the undergraduate degree and supervised practice in order to take the Registration Exam for Dietitians. Therefore, the accelerated program is an attractive option for students seeking to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists as the program can be completed in 5 years as a full-time student instead of the 7 or 8 years it would take to complete each component separately.

Current and future students will be graduating following the January 2024 deadline and will be required to complete the undergraduate and graduate coursework as well as the 1000 hours of supervised practice as outlined by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). Click here to learn more about CDR’s 2024 graduate degree requirements.

Course Requirements

Students graduating from the BS/MS Accelerated Coordinated Program in Nutrition Science and Dietetics need to meet all NDSU General Education Requirements including communications, quantitative reasoning, science and technology, humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, and wellness. Cultural diversity and global perspectives are also required and may be satisfied by completing courses in another general education category.

Below you will find the courses required for the BS/MS Accelerated Coordinated Program in Nutrition Science and Dietetics which meet the NDSU’s General Education Requirements.

General Education Requirements (39 Credits)

COMMUNICATIONS – 12 Credits 
ENGL 110: College Composition I (3 credits) 
ENGL 120: College Composition II (3 credits) 
COMM 110: Fundamentals of Communication (3 credits)
Upper Division Writing (3 credits) Click here for a list of course options. 

QUANTITATIVE REASONING – 3 Credits
STAT 330: Introductory Statistics (3 credits)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY – 10 Credits 
CHEM 117: Chemical Concepts and Applications (3 credits)
BIOL 220: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3 credits)
BIOL 220L: Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (1 credits) 
BIOL 221: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3 credits) 
BIOL 221L: Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory (1 credit)

HUMANITIES & FINE ARTS – 6 Credits
Recommended – ADHM 411: Food and World Cultures (3 credits)
One course of choice – Click here for a list of course options.

SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES – 6 Credits 
PYSC 111: Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) 
PSYC 211: Introduction to Behavior Modification (3 credits)

WELLNESS – At least 2 Credits 
HNES 250: Nutrition Science (3 credits)

Cognates (12 credits)

MICR 202: Introductory Microbiology (3 credits) 
MICR 202L: Introductory Microbiology Laboratory (1 credit)
BIOC 260: Elements of Biochemistry (4 credits) 
VETS 115: Medical Terminology for the Paraprofessional (1 credit) OR HNES 260 
MGMT 320: Foundations of Management (3 credits)

*Cognates are courses required for the BS/MS Accelerated Coordinated Program in Dietetics that are in a field of study outside of Dietetics

Undergraduate Major Requirements (52 credits)

HNES 291: Seminar - Introduction to Dietetics (3 credits) 
HNES 251: Nutrition, Growth and Development (3 credits) 
HNES 261: Food Selection and Preparation Principles (3 credits)
HNES 261L: Food Selection and Preparation Principles Laboratory (2 credits) 
HNES 351: Metabolic Basis of Nutrition (4 credits) 
HNES 354: Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy (4 credits)
HNES 354L: Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy Laboratory (2 credits) 
HNES 361: Foodservice Systems Management I (3 credits) 
HNES 361L: Foodservice Systems Management I Laboratory (3 credits) 
HNES 400: Interprofessional Health Care Practice (3 credits)
HNES 442: Community Health and Nutrition Education (3 credits) 
HNES 442L: Community Health and Nutrition Education Laboratory (3 credits)
HNES 458L: Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy Laboratory (3 credits) 
HNES 460L: Foodservice Systems Management II Laboratory (1 credit) 
HNES 480: Nutrition Science and Dietetics Practicum - Capstone Experience (12 credits)

Graduate Requirements (25-28 credits)

Electives (4-7 credits) 
STAT 725: Applied Statistics (3 credits)
HNES 658: Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (4 credits) 
HNES 668: Leadership and Communication in Dietetics (1 credit) 
HNES 710: Introduction to Research Design and Methods in HNES (3 credits) 
HNES 713: Graduate Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
HNES 726: Nutrition and Wellness (3 credits) or HNES 724: Nutrition Education (3 credits)
HNES 735: Nutrition and Human Performance (3 credits)
HNES 790: Graduate Seminar (1 credit)

Thesis, Comprehensive Paper, or Project (3-6 credit hours)

North Dakota State University offers Plan A (Thesis), Plan B (Comprehensive Paper), or Plan C (Internship/Capstone). Current students seeking supervisory committee members should contact their advisor for a list of available faculty members.

BS/MS Accelerated Coordinated Program in Nutrition Science and Dietetics Plan of Study

Program Mission and Goals

Mission Statement: The mission for the BS/MS Accelerated Coordinated Program in Nutrition Science  and Dietetics at North Dakota State University is to prepare competent professionals who will contribute to the profession and community as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in clinical, food service or community nutrition.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal One - Program graduates will function successfully as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in the profession of nutrition and dietetics.

Objectives

1. Of graduates who seek employment, 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
2. 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%.
3. At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
4. At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 7.5 years (150% of planned program length).
5. Based on graduation surveys, 80% of program graduates will be satisfied with the training they received in the program.
6. Based on surveys at 1-year post-graduation, 80% or more of graduates’ employers will state that they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice.

Goal Two - The program will produce graduates who contribute to the profession and community through involvement in organizations and volunteering at the local, state, or national level.

Objectives

1. Based on surveys given at 1- and 5-years post-graduation, 60% or more of graduates will report they are members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
2. Based on surveys given at 1- and 5-years post-graduation, 50% or more of graduates will report they engaged in community service defined as volunteering time, giving a presentation to a community group, organizing a fundraising activity, or other activities involving donation of time or services.
3. Based on surveys given at 1- and 5-years post-graduation, 25% or more or graduates will report that they have held a leadership position in an organization.

*Program outcome data is available upon request.

Program Costs

Tuition and Fees:http://www.ndsu.edu/admission/cost_tuition/cost/

Estimated additional costs:

There may be some additional costs associated with the program, which are listed below. We are not able to provide exact amounts of these costs, so be aware that the sum of money listed with each item are estimates. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive but is included to guide your financial planning.

Name Tag: $10 (required)
Criminal Background Check: $ 30-$60 (required)
Mantoux Test: $20-$40 (required)
Student Membership in The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: $60 per year (required)
Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics Membership: $ 7.00 per year (required)
Books: $500 per semester
Drug test: Cost varies (not required by NDSU but may be required by clinical sites)
Varicella titer: $75
Flu Shot: $20

COVID-19 Vaccination: Cost Varies

CDR Exam Preparation: $60 (required)

BS/MS Accelerated Coordinated Program in Nutrition Science and Dietetics Handbook