Master of Science in Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics
The purpose of the Master of Science in Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (MSN/DPD) is to train students who are primarily interested in becoming registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). The program’s mission is to prepare graduate students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become RDNs who will be agents of change in bringing the perspective of whole foods, environmental awareness of food choices, and integrative medicine into their dietetic and nutrition-related practices. The MSN/DPD program at Bastyr University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The knowledge requirements outlined by ACEND are over and above the requirements for a master’s in nutrition as outlined by the University and prepare dietetic students to be eligible to apply for a supervised practice program accredited by ACEND, and subsequently, to be eligible to sit for the registration examination for dietitians.
Student Learning Outcomes
The MSN/DPD program curriculum is designed to meet all Core Knowledge Requirements for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (KRDNs) as required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), and prepares students for success in dietetic internships/supervised practice programs.
Admissions
For general information on the admissions process, refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. Information below refers only to the MSN/DPD program.
Prerequisites
Entering students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate degree. Priority consideration will be given to applicants with a 3.0 GPA in nutrition prerequisites, a 3.25 cumulative GPA in all prerequisites and a 3.25 cumulative GPA in science prerequisites, with a B or better in Human Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology. Exceptional candidates who do not meet these priority standards will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
| Human Physiology (upper level)1 |
1 course |
| Chemistry (science major level)2 |
2 courses |
| Organic Chemistry (science major level)2 |
1 course |
| Biochemistry3 |
1 course |
| Introductory Nutrition4 |
1 course |
| General Psychology |
1 course |
| College Algebra or Statistics |
1 course |
| Microbiology |
1 course |
1A full anatomy and physiology series will meet this requirement.
2A minimum of one chemistry course must include an in-person lab.
3The biochemistry course must be upper-level and must cover intermediary metabolism.
4The nutrition course must include macro- and micronutrients, lifecycle, and physical activity.
Note: Science courses must have been taken within seven years of program start.
It is highly recommended that all students receive a B or better in all major prerequisite classes to be most competitive for an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to remain in the program.
Admission to Clinical Training
In order to enroll in the Clinic Nutrition Practicums (TR6811 and TR6812), students must have successfully completed all prerequisites based on the clinic track outline below and must have met the criteria for behavior and attitudes as outlined in the Nutrition Student Clinician Handbook. Students are also required to pass a national criminal background check (see "Felony Disclosure and Background Checks" in the Academic Policy and Procedure Manual for more information) and must show proof of completion of the clinic entry checklist prior to the first scheduled clinic shift.
Graduation Requirements
MSN/DPD students must complete a minimum of 78 credits. All MSN/DPD students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA with a minimum of 64 credits in residence. MSN/DPD students must complete their degree within five years following matriculation into the program. MSN/DPD students are recommended to meet with the DPD director for academic advising each quarter prior to registration to discuss academic progress. A total of 300 hours of approved paid and/or volunteer nutrition-related work is required to graduate from the MSN/DPD. The following is a breakdown of those hours:
- Total of 100 hours clinical nutrition (in-patient, ambulatory care, and/or long-term care direct patient contact)
- Total of 100 hours food service management
- Total of 100 hours community nutrition
Leadership in the area of dietetics by participating in the Bastyr University Student Nutrition Association (SNA) is strongly encouraged, and becoming a student member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is required.
Once coursework for the MSN/DPD and the 300 volunteer and/or paid required hours are completed, signed and verified by the DPD director, the student is eligible to sit for the DPD exit exam. A pass rate of at least 75 percent on the DPD exit exam and completion of all learning outcome self-tracking questionnaires are required to receive the verification statement that will enable the student to be eligible to complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. Completion of the DPD program does not guarantee acceptance into a supervised practice program. All other policies and procedures related to the MSN/DPD program are located on MyBU under the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (MSN/DPD) at Bastyr University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400, email: acend@eatright.org website: www.eatright.org/acend a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Program outcomes data are available upon request from the program director.
The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.
Year I
Fall
| TR5100 | Biostatistics | 4 |
| TR5104 | Research Methods in Health Sciences | 3 |
| TR5120 | Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients | 5 |
| TR5136 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
TR5136 is a hybrid/online course.
Winter
| BC5118 | Disease Processes 1 | 3 |
| TR5124 | Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients | 5 |
| TR5138 | Counseling Skills for RDNs Lecture/Lab | 4 |
| TR5320 | Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring
| BC5132 | Disease Processes 2 | 2 |
| TR5101 | Whole Foods Production | 3 |
| TR5141 | Advanced Nutrition: Bioactive Compounds, Nutrigenomics and Microbiome | 3 |
| TR5321 | Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 2 | 5 |
| TR5803 | Nutrition Clinic Entry | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Year II
Fall
| RD6105 | Introduction to Dietetics | 1 |
| RD6130 | Food Safety and the Principles of Quantity Food Production | 2 |
| TR5115 | Food Science | 5 |
| TR6111 | Contemporary Nutrition: Global and Ecological Issues | 2 |
| TR6811 | Clinic Nutrition Practicum 1 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Winter
| RD6135 | Food Service Management Skills | 2 |
| TR3142 | Therapeutic Cooking:Illness and Recovery | 2 |
| TR6100 | Nutritional Supplementation | 4 |
| TR6122 | Contemporary Nutrition: Community and Culture | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 11 |
TR6122 is a hybrid/on-line course.
Spring
| RD6141 | Food Service Capstone | 1 |
| RD6403 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| TR6133 | Contemporary Nutrition: Public Health | 3 |
| TR6812 | Clinic Nutrition Practicum 2 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
TR6811 Clinic Nutrition Practicum 1, and subsequently TR6812 Clinic Nutrition Practicum 2, will be assigned after prerequisites are completed any time after spring of year 1. Each practicum is a total of 44 hours during each quarter. In addition, a total of 4 hours are required during the interim period. See the Student Clinical Handbook for details.
Total Requirements
| Total Core Course Credits |
74 |
| Clinic Totals |
4 |
| Total Requirements |
78 |
Curriculum and course changes in the 2018-2019 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2018-2019 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.