Master of Science in Nutrition/ Didactic Program in Dietetics

Program Goal #1: The Bastyr University MSN-DPD program will prepare graduates to become successful dietetic interns.

Objectives of Goal #1:

1. At least 80% of MSN-DPD students will complete the program/degree requirements within 150% of the program length (i.e., 3 years).
2. In order to complete the program/degree requirements and receive a Verification Statement, 100% of graduates will:
   1. Complete the degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
   2. Pass the DPD exit exam with a score of 75% or greater.
   3. Complete 300 nutrition-related volunteer/paid hours with signed verification.
   4. Complete self-tracking of specified learning outcomes.
3. At least 80% of MSN-DPD graduates will apply for admission to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
4. At least 80% of MSN-DPD graduates who seek an internship will be admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
5. Results from the Supervised Practice Program Director Survey will reflect that MSN-DPD graduates have ‘more than satisfactory knowledge or competence’ (at least ‘4’ or higher on a scale of 1 to 5) in at least 80% of professional competencies evaluated.
6. Summary reports from the Commission on Dietetic Registration will reflect that at least 95% of graduates will have passed the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists on the first attempt.
7. Summary reports from the Commission on Dietetic Registration will reflect that at least 80% of graduates will have passed the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within one year following the first attempt.
8. At least 85% of respondents from the Supervised Practice Program Director Survey conducted annually will rate MSN-DPD graduates as ‘4’ (‘more than satisfactory’) or higher on a scale of 1 to 5 in competencies related to whole foods, environmental awareness and integrative medicine.

Program Goal #2:

The Bastyr University MSN-DPD program will prepare qualified graduates with the knowledge and tools to incorporate whole foods nutrition, environmental awareness, and integrative medicine into their dietetic/nutrition practice.

Objectives of Goal #2:

1. Specified percentages of respondents from the MSN-DPD Alumni Survey conducted every 2 years will rate their preparation as ‘3’ (‘adequately prepared’) or higher on a scale of 1 to 5 in each of the following areas:
   1. Whole foods nutrition (70%)
   2. Environmental awareness (70%)
   3. Integrative medicine (70%)
2. Specified percentages of respondents from the MSN-DPD Alumni Survey conducted every 2 years will report their ability to incorporate the following into their dietetic/nutrition practice at least ‘occasionally’ or more, or at least ‘3’ on a scale of 1 to 5:
   1. Whole foods nutrition (80%)
   2. Environmental awareness (60%)
   3. Integrative medicine (60%)
3. Specified percentages of respondents from the MSN-DPD Alumni Survey conducted every 2 years will rate their level of preparedness post-graduation as a ‘3’ (‘adequately prepared’) or higher on a scale of 1 to 5 in each of the following dietetic practice areas:
   1. Medical Nutrition Therapy (75%)
   2. Food Service Management (85%)
   3. Nutrition Education (90%)
   4. Nutrition Counseling (90%)
   5. Food Science (85%)
   6. Research (50%)

The curriculum list that follows is a tentative schedule of courses each quarter.

Year I

Fall

TR5100 Biostatistics  (4 credits)

TR5104 Research Methods in Health Sciences (3 credits)

TR5120 Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients (5 credits)

TR5136 Nutrition in the Life Cycle (3 credits)

Winter

BC5118 Disease Processes 1 (3 credits)

TR5124 Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients (5 credits)

TR5138 Counseling Skills for RDNs Lecture/Lab (4 credits)

TR5320 Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 1 (5 credits)

Spring

BC5132 Disease Processes 2 (2 credits)

TR5101 Whole Foods Production (3 credits)

TR5141 Advanced Nutrition: Bioactive Compounds, Nutrigenomics, and Microbiome (3 credits)

TR5321 Nutrition Assessment and Therapy 2 (5 credits)

TR5803 Nutrition Clinic Entry (1 credit)

Year II

Fall

RD6105 Introduction to Dietetics (1 credit)

RD6130 Food Safety and the Principles of Quantity Food Production (2 credits)

TR5115 Food Science (5 credits)

TR6111 Contemporary Nutrition: Global and Ecological Issues   (2 credits)

TR6811 Clinic Nutrition Practicum 1 (2 credits)

Winter

RD6135 Food Service Management Skills   (2 credits)

TR6100 Nutritional Supplementation (4 credits)

TR6122 Contemporary Nutrition: Community and Culture (3 credits)

TR6127 Therapeutic Cooking: Illness and Recovery (2 credits)

Spring

RD6141 Food Service Capstone (1 credit)

RD6403 Medical Nutrition Therapy  (3 credits)

TR6133 Contemporary Nutrition: Public Health (3 credits)

TR6812 Clinic Nutrition Practicum 2 (2 credits)

See the program catalog for more information

For general information on the application and admissions process, refer to the Admissions office. The information below refers only to the MSN-DPD program.

Students may take individual, science-based prerequisites as a non-matriculated student. If you wish to discuss taking specific prerequisites at Bastyr, please contact Admissions. Here is a list of courses offered.

• Entering students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university and a minimum GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 in the last 45 credits in their undergraduate degree, or a B or better in Human Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, and a C or better in all other prerequisite courses. Exceptional candidates who do not meet these standards will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Human Physiology (1 course) or Anatomy and Physiology I & II (sequence)

Organic Chemistry* - 1 course

Biochemistry* - 1 course

Introductory Nutrition - 1 course

General Psychology - 1 course 

College Algebra or Statistics - 1 course

Microbiology - 1 course

*Must be at a science major level and not survey level with at least one lab in any science class.

Note: Biochemistry course must have been taken within seven years of program start.   

View list of prerequisite courses available at Bastyr University.

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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 minimum of 150 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:

• Minimum of 50 hours clinical nutrition (in-patient, ambulatory care, and/or long-term care direct patient contact)
• Minimum of 50 hours food service management
• Minimum of 50 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 150 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.

In addition to successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) a student must accomplish the following:

• Obtain a minimum of a master's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college. 
• Receive a verification statement of coursework completion from an ACEND-accredited program (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics), which is required for admission to ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs/dietetic internships. 
  • Information on ACEND-accredited programs (e.g., didactic, coordinated, and dietetic internships) can be found on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

• Apply for a supervised practice program/dietetic internship through an online platform called the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS). More information about DICAS and preparing the online application on the DICAS Portal.
  • Further explanation of the DICAS application and computer matching process can be found here. 
• Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, i.e., a dietetic internship and receive a verification statement of completion.
• Successfully pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination for registered dietician nutritionists.

To practice as an RDN, one must also obtain state-specific certification or licensure, as applicable. Additional information regarding state licensing agencies and requirements can be found at Eat Right Pro Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and at the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Potential applicants should also be aware that effective in 2024, a master’s degree will be required to take the credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists.

For more information regarding careers in the field of dietetics, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Some available careers in nutrition are as follows:

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist* in a vast number of clinical settings such as private practice, hospitals, eating disorder treatment centers, rehabilitation and addiction centers, and more. 
• Public health programs and administration 
• Corporate wellness. 
• Food and nutrition consulting and writing. 
• Future academic career in a university, administrative, government or public health setting. 
• Research in a clinical or laboratory environment. 

*Upon graduation, students have fulfilled the academic requirements to pursue a dietetic internship on the path to gaining the RDN credential.

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). You can contact them or find out more about ACEND using the information below.

Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995

Phone: (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.eatright.org/acend. 

ACEND is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.