Master of Science in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Feed Your Appetite for Career Success

If you are passionate about health, food and helping people make personalized, positive lifestyle changes, a career as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) may be right for you. As one of the first in the country to offer a graduate program under the Future Education Model, Logan University’s competency-based Master of Science in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics (MSAND) is a solid track to your RDN credential.

By 2024, Registered Dietitians will need a master’s degree to become registered. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states: “RDNs are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. RDNs use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes. They work throughout the community in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research and private practice. RDNs are advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.”

RDNs are equipped to meet the emerging health care needs of patients facing an array of chronic conditions, including obesity, diabetes and hypertension. As a result, the employment of RDNs is projected to grow eight percent by 2029, which is more than twice as fast as the national average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

8% Job Growth

For RDNs through 2029*

More than twice as fast as the national average

Work-Life Balance

Dietitians report above-average job satisfaction

$63,090

Median annual salary for a dietitian

*Bureau of Labor Statistics

Best Master’s In Dietetics Online Of 2023

*Forbes

RD Program Highlights

It is our mission to prepare students to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN). The MSAND degree is a comprehensive graduate program, where you will gain advanced, practical knowledge of the gut microbiome, nutrigenetics, and natural therapies. It is designed to equip students to meet emerging health care needs, such as bringing much-needed medical nutrition therapy to patients facing a variety of chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Built on a competency-based curriculum, Logan’s MSAND program starts with online core coursework taught by industry professionals. The program culminates with 30 weeks of supervised experiential learning (SEL) outside the classroom at a variety of unique St. Louis-area sites, allowing students to apply what they have learned in real-world settings.

Once you have earned your Master of Science in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics from Logan, you will receive a verification statement to sit for the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Overview

In 2017, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) invited colleges and universities to apply to its early adopter demonstration program under the Future Education Model. Logan was among the first 21 applications accepted and is offering one of the first seven new Future Graduate programs in the country. This is a competency-based program that starts with online coursework and culminates with two trimesters of supervised experiential learning rotations in the St. Louis, MO area. When students meet all graduation requirements, they will receive a verification statement to sit for the RD exam.

Whereas a bachelor’s degree was previously required to practice as a dietitian, by 2024 all RDs will need to earn a master’s degree to gain the greater depth of knowledge and skills that the industry needs. The Graduate program includes enhanced competencies to elevate the scope of practice including a focus in disease prevention, genomics, telehealth, behavioral counseling, diet prescription, informatics, and research.

To meet the new requirements, Logan’s program provides a competency based curriculum with an online core coursework, specialized courses, and an integrated supervised experiential learning (SEL) experience at Health Centers located in St. Louis. The MS-AND will bring much-needed medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education to clinics serving patients with many chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity, to name a few.

Logan will prepare students to meet the challenges in the health care system today and in the future, including the need to develop skills working in interprofessional teams while providing opportunities to achieve expanded roles in health promotion, disease prevention, and intervention.

Accreditation

Logan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Logan University is a member of the North Central Association, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504, 800-621-7440

Logan University, College of Health Sciences MS in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics is an ACEND-accredited graduate program with full accreditation status.

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics (see www.eatrightpro.org/FutureModel ). The successful completion of all graduate course work and supervised experiential learning will lead to a Master of Science (MS) degree in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics and receipt of a Verification Statement. Program graduates will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Program graduates should check licensing laws in the state in which they intend to practice. For the State of Missouri, passing the CDR Registration Exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and successful submission of a licensing application and fee will result in licensure (LD) in the State of Missouri.

For further information on ACEND accreditation, contact:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone (800)-877-1600 ext 5400
E-mail: acend@eatright.org
www.eatright.org/ACEND
To learn more, please email Program Director Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo at Theresa.DeLorenzo@logan.edu

Master of Science In

Applied Nutrition and Dietetics at Logan

Program Highlights

Master's in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Become a champion of change with the Master's in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics. Pioneer whole-body health care and change the lives of millions.

RD Program Mission & Objectives

The Graduate Program in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics is dedicated to preparing entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who are able to meet the challenges of the healthcare environment by providing person-centered care, evidence-informed practice delivered as an interprofessional team approach with cultural competence.

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RD Program Mission & Objectives

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Curriculum

Learn more about the curriculum and requirements.

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Curriculum

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Meet the Faculty & Staff

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Meet the Faculty & Staff

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Preceptorships & Continuing Education

Give back to the next generation of nutrition specialists by offering students your knowledge and expertise. Along with helping future nutritionists, our preceptors will have access to continuing education opportunities through our Partners in Nutrition Education program.

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Preceptorships & Continuing Education

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Program Learning Outcomes

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Demonstrate professional behaviors and effective communication in all nutrition services.
Apply foundational sciences to meet the nutritional needs of individuals, groups, and populations in a variety of settings.
Integrate person-centered, evidence-informed care and critical thinking into dietetics practice.
Exhibit leadership and management skills to guide dietetics practice and achieve operational goals.

Program Mission & Objectives

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PROGRAM GOALS/OBJECTIVES* [ACEND Required Element 2.1c, 7.3b]

Goal 1. The MSAND program will prepare graduates to become competent entry- level registered dietitian nutritionists.

Objective 1.1 At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length) [2.1c-1a: program completion]

Objective 1.2. At least 80% of program graduates will take the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. [2.1c–1c: registration exam]

Objective 1.3. 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%. [2.1c–1c: registration exam]
Objective 1.4. Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related within 12 months of graduation. [2.1c-1b: graduate employment]

Goal 2. Graduates of the MSAND program will be prepared to practice as members of an inter-professional team and provide evidence-informed, culturally competent care.

Objective 2.1. Of employed MSAND graduates who respond to a survey, at least 80% will rate themselves as adequately or very well prepared to practice as part of an inter-professional team.

Objectives 2.2. Of employers responding to a survey, at least 80% will rate their satisfaction as satisfied or highly satisfied with the program graduate demonstrating culturally competent nutrition services. [2.1c–1d: employer satisfaction]

Objective 2.3. Of employers responding to a survey, at least 80% will rate their satisfaction as satisfied or highly satisfied with the program graduate demonstrating evidenced informed nutrition services. [2.1c–1d: employer satisfaction]

* Program outcomes data are available upon request. [ACEND Required Element 7.3c]