Accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Master’s Coordinated Program provides a comprehensive academic foundation for applied supervised practice that is integrated into the final two years of the program. The built-in internship eliminates the need to apply for a separate dietetic internship. This program offers a robust curriculum that combines fundamental theoretical concepts with engaging real-world learning scenarios, ensuring students gain both in-depth knowledge and practical experience.
Graduates are prepared to improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities through nutrition education and counseling, assist individuals in recovering from and managing illness through medical nutrition therapy, promote community access to food and nutrients, manage food service operations and ensure the delivery of healthy, safe food and contribute to nutrition knowledge through research.
With an urban health-focus, this program addresses hunger, policy, advocacy, communication, health promotion, and prevention and treatment of disease through nutrition in diverse communities.
This five-year program will culminate in both a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice, including over 1000 hours of supervised practice in acute, ambulatory, and/or long-term care facilities, community health agencies, and foodservice operations. This will position graduates to be eligible to take the national exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD or RDN) administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. As of January 1, 2024 a graduate degree will be required to earn the RDN credential in addition to prescribed coursework and supervised practice. Our accelerated program provides the bachelor’s, master’s, and supervised practice experience in just 5 years for incoming freshman. It is the only one of its kind in Philadelphia, and one of only about 30 similar programs in the U.S.
La Salle University’s Didactic Program in Nutrition and Master’s Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice are both accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Program outcomes data are available upon request.
Immediately upon graduation, students will be eligible to take the credentialing exam for RDN’s and seek state licensure as Licensed Dietitian Nutritionists. RDN’s are employed as clinicians and managers in hospitals, long term care facilities, specialty clinics, grocery stores, schools, corporate wellness, private practices, and community agencies. Employment in the field is growing faster than the national average. Nearly 100% of our graduates who seek employment find jobs in the field of dietetics within 3 – 6 months after graduation.