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Nutrition And Dietetics Scholars

Saint Louis University's Nutrition and Dietetics Scholars program is an exclusive opportunity for freshmen to be guaranteed a position in SLU's Master of Science/Dietetic Internship program after completing their undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics' degree at SLU.

The program allows students seeking careers as Registered Dietitians to gain valuable health care credentials prior to entrance into the post-baccalaureate MS/DI program. This preparatory education, in conjunction with the nutrition and dietetics program's didactic and clinical curriculum, enriches the graduate's expertise and competence. In addition, it allows students the opportunity for a rewarding health care career should they elect not to continue in the graduate MS/DI program upon completion of their bachelor's degree.

Apply to the Nutrition and Dietetics Scholars Program

ND Scholars Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Learn more about SLU Nutrition and Dietetics

Admission Requirements
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale
  • Four years of high school English and three years of high school math and science, with recommendation of one year of chemistry and one year of biology.
  • Complete and submit online application for freshman admission and all required materials by December 1 of the student's senior year of high school. Indicate Nutrition and Dietetics as your pre-professional program.
  • Complete Nutrition and Dietetics Scholars application by December 1 of the student's senior year of high school.  Includes:
  • Personal statement answering the question, "Why do you want to be a Registered Dietitian?"
  • Two letters of recommendation emphasizing the student's academic excellence or work ethic
  • Scholarship and Financial Aid

    There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

  • Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers a scholarship to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
  • Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
  • For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

    For more information, visit the student financial services office online at finaid.Slu.Edu.


    Transition To A Career In Nutrition

    In order to be a well-qualified marketable dietitian-nutritionist, we recommend completion of one of our master's degrees in nutrition, in addition to completion of our Dietetic Internship Program. Please note that your existing bachelor's degree does not need to be in nutrition to complete a master's degree in nutrition.

    Master's Degrees

    The Program in Nutrition at Teachers College offers three master-of-science (M.S.) degrees in nutrition in:

    Each of our M.S. Degrees consist of similar core courses with added courses allowing for specialization in the respective areas. The M.S. Degrees in nutrition and education and in nutrition and public health consist of 42-47 credits, whereas the M.S. Degree in nutrition and exercise physiology consists of 55 credits.

    To be eligible to apply to and complete one of the three M.S. Degrees, prerequisite courses are necessary. Successful completion of the prerequisite courses will enable you to attend graduate courses in nutrition and to glean all that is necessary from these courses.

    View Prerequisite Courses

    In addition to completing a master's degree in nutrition, becoming a registered dietitian-nutritionist (RD or RDN) is highly recommended. Having the RD/RDN credential alongside the M.S. Degree enables you to be highly marketable in the nutrition field. Becoming an RD/RDN requires completion of a Dietetic Internship Program (DI) and successful completion of an exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

    The Program in Nutrition at Teachers College administers a fully accredited Dietetic Internship Program. To be eligible to apply to and complete the DI, specific prerequisite courses — called the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) — are required. TC does not have its own accredited DPD program at this time. However, in collaboration with Lehman College, which has a DPD-accredited program, our M.S. Students are able to complete all DPD course requirements for Dietetic Internship Program eligibility. Lehman College verifies completion of all DPD course requirements and issues the necessary Verification Statement opening the door to apply for admission to the Dietetic Internship Program at Teachers College or elsewhere.

    To review, if you wish to become a registered dietitian and nutritionist, you will need to complete M.S. Prerequisite courses, one of our M.S. Degrees in nutrition, all DPD courses, a DI, and the national registration exam in dietetics and nutrition. This may sound overwhelming, but the process isn't. 

    With proper advisement, you can complete the whole process (excluding completion of the M.S. Prerequisite courses) in roughly three years of full-time study. However, you are always welcome to complete the process on a part-time basis.

    To learn more, please join Dr. Lora Sporny during a conference call information session.

    In order to be a well-qualified, marketable dietitian-nutritionist, we highly recommend obtaining a master of science (MS) degree in nutrition as well as the registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN) credential. By completing one of our ACEND-accredited integrated MS-RDN degrees, you will complete a combination of didactic and practice courses that together deliver the MS and prepare you to sit for the registration examination for dietitians-nutritionists administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. You can complete all requirements in two years when attending full-time, September through August. No separate Dietetic Internship Program is needed. We also offer a tailored program for individuals who would like to complete the integrated MS-RDN degree part-time.

    Master's Degrees

    Our master's degrees in nutrition will prepare you to take on different roles, from entry-level to leadership, in a wide variety of settings within the nutrition field. The MS will also make you more marketable. As of January 2024, anyone interested in becoming an RDN will be required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to have a master's degree.

    The Program in Nutrition at Teachers College offers three MS degrees in:

    Each of our MS degrees consists of similar core courses with added courses allowing for specialization in the respective areas. Each integrated MS-RDN degree also offers the supervised experiential learning opportunities required to become an RDN. These occur both within the classroom and at community, clinical, nutrition education, media, research, and food service worksite locations. The integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education and in Nutrition and Public Health consist of 50 credits, whereas the integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology consists of 57 credits.

    To be eligible to apply to our master's program, prerequisite courses are necessary. Successful completion of the prerequisite courses will enable you to attend graduate courses in nutrition and glean all that is necessary from these courses. Please note that your existing bachelor's degree does not need to be in nutrition to complete a master's degree in nutrition.

    View Prerequisite Courses

    To learn more, please join Dr. Lora Sporny during a Zoom information session.


    Northwest Dietetics Celebrates National Nutrition Month

    By Allison Martin, RD, LD, CPT

    Every year across the nation nutrition professionals celebrate National Nutrition Month throughout the month of March.

    National Nutrition Month was established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 1973 and originally started as National Nutrition Week. However, as awareness grew, by 1980 the celebration expanded throughout the whole month. National Nutrition Month is a way to provide awareness and education on making knowledgeable nutrition choices and physical activity habits for a healthy lifestyle. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics was founded in 1917 to aid the government in food conservation and improve health through nutrition during WWI.

    Over two-thirds of the academy is comprised of registered dietitian nutritionists who are the leading qualified nutrition experts in the field of nutrition. Dietitians go through extensive undergraduate training, must complete a 1,200-hour internship, and master's degree in order to sit for a board certification exam. Upon completion of the exam, they then earn the coveted title of registered dietitian. This differs greatly from those who use the title of nutritionist. Nutritionists do not need any formal schooling to use the title of nutritionist and do not sit for a board certification exam or dedicate their time to learning more and getting practical hands-on experience through an internship. When seeking further nutrition information, it is recommended to make sure that it is coming from someone with the title of registered dietitian, since they have the most up to date science backed information and experience. Dietitians also have their own day dedicated to them every year. This year Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day was recognized on March 13.

    Northwest Missouri State University has their own accredited dietetics undergraduate program, internship and master's degree programs. Every year the Northwest Dietetics Program celebrates the month of March and will be hosting Free Fruit Fridays on the Northwest campus by passing out free fruit at different locations such as Martindale Hall, Administration Building, and Foster Fitness Center and gathering non-perishable food items. Other events include Northwest dietetic interns speaking out about the importance of nutrition through a series of radio broadcasts, an alumni open house that will take place at 10 am, April 6 that will provide an overview for the upcoming Martindale Hall renovations, and a Nutrition Neon 5k with proceeds benefiting the Lettuce Dream Organization will take place at 5 pm, March 22nd and will kick off at the Northwest Administration Building. Participants may register at: nwmissouri.Edu/Nutrition5K.






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