Grand Valley State University's Master of Science in Clinical Dietetics program is an innovative program taught by nationally recognized faculty. The M.S. is part of Grand Valley's School of Interdisciplinary Health within the College of Health Professions.
Our coordinated graduate program is a 27-seat cohort model that is full-time, over the course of five semesters, and consists of 52-55 credits with 1200 hours of supervised practice.
Supervised practice sites are coordinated for students by faculty/supervised practice coordinators. Classes are taught using the online hybrid model, with some in-seat meetings and laboratory experiences.
Upon successful completion, this program awards a Master of Science Degree and a verification statement that provides eligibility to sit for the registration exam leading to the RDN credential.
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Career Outlook and Opportunities
According to 2020 EMSI data, job opportunities for dietitians are expected to increase 10% in West Michigan and 9% in Michigan. The median annual wage was $60,382 for dietitians in 2019 but varies by region and job title. Clinical dietetics graduates often hold the following job titles:
- Dietitians
- Nutritionists
- Clinical Dietitians
- Registered Dietitians
- Nutrition Consultants
- Clinical Managers
Source: EMSI, 2020
The Skills Employers Want
The Master of Science in Clinical Dietetics at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.
- Dietetics
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Nutritional Assessment
- Food Services
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Intervention
- Nutrition Diagnosis
- Clinical Nutrition
- Research
- Management
- Leadership
- Customer Service
- Computer Literacy
- Interpersonal Skills
- Presentations
- Communications
Source: EMSI, 2020
Why Study Clinical Dietetics at Grand Valley?
- Accredited. 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.
- Experiential Learning. Hands-on work in state-of-the-art facilities, including simulation, nutritional assessment, and human performance laboratories.
- In-Demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates employment opportunities are expected to increase 15% by 2026.
- Career-focused. Health care professionals with advanced degrees tend to attain a higher profile within the profession.
- Return on Investment. According to the 2019 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Report, a clinical nutrition manager with a master's degree earns on an average of $13 more per hour than an RDN with a bachelor's degree.
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
Application Timeline
Fall 2023 Cohort: Applications are now open!
Application & Review Timeline: Rolling application until January 15 (early submission is highly recommended). Application reviews, notification of interviews, and interviews begin January 15th and continue until all 27 seats are filled
Admission
The Clinical Dietetics M.S. application deadline is January 15. The $30 application fee is waived if you’ve already applied to Grand Valley. Visit our program requirements page for details.
GVSU Clinical Dietetics requires all prerequisite courses to be completed with LETTER (A, B, C) or NUMERICAL (4.0, 3.0, 2.0) grades. Prerequisite courses completed with Pass/Fail or Credit/No credit will not fulfill the program’s admissions requirements.
Courses
The Master of Science in Clinical Dietetics consists of:
- 52-55 credits
Awards of credit for prior learning experiences are not yet available for the Clinical Dietetics program.
Visit the online catalog for detailed information and the course requirements.
Cost
For information on tuition and fees, please visit the costs portion of the GVSU Financial Aid website. For financial support, scholarship search, and filing for FAFSA, please visit the GVSU Financial Support website.
Note: Grand Valley does not charge a higher tuition rate based on residency. Tuition is based on the program in which you chose to enroll.
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