Program Overview

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the program and obtain both the B.S. in applied food and nutrition (AFN) and M.S. in clinical dietetics within an accelerated time frame.

Students interested in the combined degree program will follow the undergraduate coursework for AFN. Application requirements include:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Junior year status in the AFN program.
• A completed online application to the graduate school.
• Academic transcripts and resume.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• An essay of career goals and past experiences relevant to the profession of dietetics.

Note that this program requires enrollment in two spring/summer semesters.

Why Pursue Combined Degrees at Grand Valley?

• Hands-on learning in state-of-the-art facilities, including simulation, nutritional assessment, and standardized patient laboratories ensure experiential learning
• Accelerate your career trajectory and complete your degrees one step ahead of the competition.
• Meet the growing national need for more master's trained professionals.
• A clinical nutrition manager with a master's degree earns an average of $13 more per hour than an RDN with a bachelor's degree, according to the 2019 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Report.
• 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, (312) 899-5400.

Career Insights

Accreditation

The Coordinated Graduate Program at Grand Valley State University is now accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to take students! Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-5400.

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 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 coordinated graduate at Grand Valley State University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/information-for-students.

Location & Format

Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.

• Face To Face
• Hybrid

Coursework

Students will earn a maximum of 11 graduate credits during their undergraduate program from the courses listed below. Students are encouraged to work with faculty advisors to ensure all requirements are met.

• CD 501 - Emerging Professional Practice Issues in Clinical Dietetics 2
• CD 516 - Food and Culinary Science 4
• CD 560 - Advanced Nutrition Education, Counseling, and Coaching 3
• CD 690 - Research Methodology in Clinical Dietetics 2

Admission Requirements

Students apply to the combined degree program at the end of the fall semester during their third academic year and will be admitted for the winter semester. Visit the online catalog for more information about admission requirements for the combined bachelor of science in applied food and nutrition and master of science in clinical dietetics.

Helpful Links

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• The Graduate School
• Allied Health Sciences Programs
• Clinical Dietetics Programs

For More Information

Jennifer Ford, MA, RDN
Assistant Professor and Program Director
500 Lafayette Avenue NE
Raleigh Finkelstein Hall, 420G
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
[email protected]
(616) 331-5529