Accelerated NDSU MPH Dietetics Program

Mission

The Mission of the accelerated NDSU MPH Dietetics Program is to train entry level registered dietitian nutritionists to promote nutritional health and well-being through education, practice, and research with an emphasis on American Indian and other diverse and underserved populations.

Public health is defined as the practice of helping members of society live healthier, longer lives. More specifically, public health focuses on improving the general health of communities through efforts to monitor the spread of diseases, initiatives (both clinical and policy-oriented) to prevent disease and disability, and by promoting healthy lifestyles through education and community engagement.

Public health is both an art and a science. It is practiced by inter-professional teams whose members’ training spans a wide array of academic and vocational fields. The field of Public Health Nutrition enjoys a long history of connecting dietitians with public health theory and practice.

Jobs in this field include: public health nutrition program administrator, health care delivery specialist for chronic disease management and prevention, community health coach, and maternal and child health program specialist. After graduating with an MPH, the public health nutritionist RD can quickly become a leader in the nutrition field across the health care and public health workforce.

For more information on the NDSU MPH program you can visit www.ndsu.edu/publichealth or contact Dr. Stefanie Meyer, at Stefanie.Meyer@ndsu.edu. 

The MPH degree consists of 42 credits and can be completed in two years as a full time graduate student. Dietetics students are able to complete a BS/MPH dual degree in 5 years. Dietetics students who are in good academic standing are eligible to apply for the BS/MPH program in Community Health Sciences through the graduate school during their sophomore year.

Accelerated NDSU MPH Dietetics Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Program graduates will function successfully as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in the profession of dietetics.

Of graduates who seek employment, 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

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%.

Eighty percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

At least 80% of program students complete the program/degree requirements within 4.5 years (150% of the program length as defined in years).

Based on graduation surveys, 80% of program graduates will be satisfied with the training they received in the program.

Based on surveys at 1-year post-graduation, 80% or more of graduates’ employers will state that they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with graduates’ preparation for entry – level practice.

Goal 2: 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.

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.

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.

Based on surveys given at 1- and 5- years post – graduation, 25% or more of graduates will report that they have held a leadership position in an organization.

Admissions

For students interested in pursuing the Accelerated BS/MPH for Dietetics and Nutrition:

Major Criteria for Admission:

These students must meet all of the criteria listed for Undergraduate students which can be found here: https://www.ndsu.edu/hnes/undergraduate_programs/dietetics/preprofessional_students/.  

Once admitted to the Professional phase of the program in the spring of year 2 (sophomore year), they must meet several additional requirements.: 

1.  Students must have achieved a 3.5 overall GPA and a 2.75 in sciences in order to petition the Graduate School for acceptance to an accelerated program. This must be maintained through the application and acceptance to the graduate program. 

2.  Submit a petition to the Graduate School for the Accelerated option in the summer of year 2 (after sophomore year)

3.  Apply to the Graduate School for admission: 

• Fill out application and include items below
  • A Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Writing sample

Once admitted to the program, students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA and earn a 'C' or better in all HNES and graduate courses. Students earn a BS degree in dietetics at the end of 4 years and a MPH after year 5.

After year 5, students who successfully complete all components of the program (BS, MPH, and 1400 hours supervised practice) will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam.