Integrated MS-RDN Track

The Program in Nutrition’s Integrated MS-RDN Track blends didactic education and supervised experiential learning together in an intensive two-year, 12-month-per-year program. The Integrated MS-RDN Track eliminates the need for a Dietetic Internship Program by providing supervised experiential learning hours that meet the eligibility requirements of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for the RDN credentialing examination as well as state certification or licensure. These hours are fulfilled both within the classroom and at community, clinical, and food service worksite locations within New York City and surrounding areas providing opportunities for rich professional experiences with diverse settings and populations.
The Integrated MS-RDN Track offers three specializations: Nutrition Education, Nutrition and Public Health, and Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. All share a common core of courses plus unique specialization courses. The Integrated MS-RDN Track specializations in Nutrition Education and in Nutrition and Public Health consist of 50 credits completed at Teachers College, whereas the Integrated MS-RDN Track specialization in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology consists of 57 credits completed at Teachers College. Two additional culinary courses plus a lab (for a total of 7.5 credits) are completed at nearby Lehman College of the City University of New York.  

The Program in Nutrition has a long proud history. Founded in 1909 by Dr. Mary Swartz Rose, our firsts include the first integrated nutrition science and nutrition education program in 1909, the first public health nutrition master’s degree in 1947, the first course on environmentally-sustainable diets and food systems in 1970 based on the seminal thinking of Professor Emerita Joan Gussow, the first nutrition and exercise joint master’s degree in 1982, and the first to include a focus on nutrition education policy with the founding of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, & Policy within the Program in Nutrition in 2013. In 2021, we became among the first in the New York City area to offer an Integrated MS-RDN Track to our students.

The Program in Nutrition has been a strong leader in the field throughout these many years. Our faculty have been influential thinkers and our graduates have provided leadership in numerous areas related to food, nutrition, and dietetics. About 30 new MS graduate students join us each year from around the world. Some hold undergraduate degrees in nutrition while others are career changers, bringing with them extraordinary knowledge and skills, all of which enrich our classes. The Program in Nutrition is committed to enhancing equity and inclusion and providing a supportive environment for students of diverse backgrounds to thrive.

To become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), an individual must meet the following criteria:

• Complete an educational and supervised experiential learning program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement for eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians changed from a bachelor's degree to a graduate degree. The Teachers College Integrated MS-RDN Track is accredited under the Graduate Degree (Future Education Model) Accreditation Standards. These accreditation standards integrate coursework with at least 1,000 hours of supervised experiential learning using a competency-based education model.
• Pass a national credentialing examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Graduates from the TC Integrated MS-RDN Track will be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. Graduates are provided a verification statement, which is required to sit for the credentialing exam. Once an RDN, dietitians are required to complete continuing education requirements to maintain their RDN credential.
• The majority of states have enacted laws that regulate the practice of dietetics. In many states, it is a violation of state law to practice dietetics without a license. Upon passing the CDR Registration Exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, graduates will be eligible (if they so desire) to apply for state licensure or certification, depending on the state in which they are employed. All U.S. states and territories with licensure and certification laws accept the RDN credential for state licensure and certification purposes. For the State of New York, passing the CDR Registration Exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and successful submission of an application and fee will result in certification as a certified dietitian nutritionist (CDN) through the NYS Department of Education Office of the Professions. Program graduates should check licensing laws in the state in which they intend to practice by visiting the CDR State Licensing website.

Our Program welcomes diverse students, empowering them to become nutrition leaders through a rigorous curriculum and supervised worksite practice. Graduates use research, advocacy, and behavior change strategies to inspire healthy physical activity and food choices, to prevent and manage diet-related medical conditions, to transform the food system, and to improve food access for all.

The Program in Nutrition is committed to:

• Explicitly integrating issues of race, food justice, and inclusion into the program’s vision, curriculum, and practicum-based opportunities.
• Faculty, staff and students gaining personal and professional skills to advance racial equity, food justice and inclusion in what we do, in all the diverse communities in which we live and work.  
• Creating a supportive environment for each other and for students of all backgrounds.

The Program in Nutrition also strictly abides by the Teachers College Non-Discrimination Policy and Title IX Policy and Procedures.

The Integrated MS-RDN Track has two main goals with several objectives that support each one.

Goal 1: Program graduates will be prepared for entry-level and leadership roles in nutrition education, public health nutrition, and nutrition and exercise physiology.

Objectives:

• At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
• At least 80% of part-time program graduates complete the program/degree requirements within five years (125% of the program length).
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to the exit survey will rate the quality of the Integrated MS-RDN Track as good or excellent.
• At least 80% percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• 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%.
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. 

Goal 2: Program graduates will be prepared to enhance motivation, facilitate action, and create supportive environments to assist diverse individuals, groups, and communities to make healthful, just, and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices.

Objectives:

• At least 80% of employers who respond to the Employer Satisfaction Survey describe our program graduates' preparation as good or excellent in each of the following areas: integrating research, theory and practice; enhancing healthful, just, and sustainable food choices and active lives; and working effectively with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
• At least 80% of program graduates who respond to the Alumni Satisfaction Survey describe their preparation as good or excellent in each of the following areas: integrating research, theory and practice; enhancing healthful, just, and sustainable food choices and active lives; and working effectively with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.

NOTE: Outcome data related to program completion, goals and objectives, and student demographics are available upon request for the Integrated MS-RDN Track.

Below is the Course Framework for the Program in Nutrition’s Integrated MS-RDN Track. As illustrated by the Framework, the Integrated MS-RDN Track provides students with a well-rounded education that examines nutrition through the interaction of biology, personal behavior, and the environment. Students gain a solid foundation in nutrition science and clinical nutrition. The Program also focuses on nutrition counseling and education, and analytical and reflective thinking, as well as technical information. Practical experience is integrated with theory. Graduates are prepared for many career options throughout their lives. 

Full-time students are in Teachers College classes and/or worksite rotations from September through mid-August for two years. Students in their first semester of the Program also take two additional culinary courses at nearby Lehman College of the City University of New York. The Lehman courses start in mid-August, but are held remotely until the beginning of September. 

Part-time students may complete the Program in 3 or 4 years as desired and work with their advisor to devise a plan that works with the students’ schedules. 

Both full-time and part-time students complete worksite rotations in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and food service in their final year of the program. Rotations are ~10-15 hours per week in the fall, ~20-28 hours per week depending on the specialization in the spring, and 32-40 hours per week in the summer. Rotations are completed at major NYC hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices, eating disorder centers, prenatal/postpartum programs, gastroenterology centers, food banks, tech companies, schools, our very own Tisch Food Center, and more! 

While this is an intensive, year-round program, breaks are built into the Program. All students have off between Christmas and New Year as well as the last two weeks of August. In addition, Year 1 students have a week off in mid-March for spring break. While Global Foods Practicum is during the first two weeks of January and Nutrition Care Process & Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 is from July through mid-August, students in their first year take these courses remotely so that they can travel if desired. Year 2 students are at worksite rotations throughout the spring and summer, but are given several days off, which they may use as needed during those semesters. 

The Teachers College academic calendar can be found here: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/academics/academic-calendar/

Students completing the Integrated MS-RDN Track meet all competencies and performance indicators set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), including the enhanced competencies. The Integrated MS-RDN Track is accredited as a Graduate Degree Program (Future Education Model) by ACEND. You can see the full list of ACEND Standards for Nutrition & Dietetic Graduate Degree Programs here. Appendix A of the aforementioned Standards lists all required competencies and performance indicators. The list of enhanced competencies can be found here.

Students completing the Integrated MS-RDN Track also meet all competencies set forth by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB). You can see the full list of SNEB Nutrition Educator Competencies here.

The Teachers College, Columbia University Integrated MS-RDN program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois  60606-6995
Phone: 800-877-1600  ext 5400
Website: www.eatrightpro.org/acend 

Graduates from the TC Integrated MS-RDN Track will be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Graduates of any one of our three integrated MS-RDN tracks will receive a verification statement, which is required to be eligible to sit for the RDN credentialing exam. Upon passing the exam and being awarded the RDN credential by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, graduates will be eligible (if they so desire) to apply for state licensure or certification, depending upon the state in which they are employed. Completing any of the three integrated MS-RDN degrees does not automatically grant New York State licensure nor does it allow students to practice within a restricted scope of practice reserved for those who hold a license. Program graduates who plan to stay in New York can find more information here. Graduates who plan to work elsewhere should check licensing laws in the state in which they intend to practice by visiting the CDR State Licensing website.

The Program in Nutrition has two application deadlines each year: December 1st (priority deadline) and January 15th (final deadline).

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be admitted to the ACEND-accredited Integrated MS-RDN Track:

• Attend a Zoom information session, which is highly recommended.
• Complete the seven prerequisite courses prior to the start of the program. See below for more information on prerequisite courses.
• Submit a complete application package, which includes:
  • Application document, including a $75 application fee
  • Official undergraduate transcript
  • Official transcripts for prerequisite courses (Note: you can submit your application to the MS-RDN Track once you have completed four of the seven prerequisite courses.)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal essay
  • Resume
  • Optional: Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores 

Selection Criteria

The MS-RDN Track accepts 30 to 40 students per cohort. The selection criteria used to rank prospective students include:

• Quality of personal statement
• Content of letters of recommendation
• GPA for general, nutrition, and prerequisite courses
• Honors, awards, activities, and previous experience

Prerequisite Courses

To be admitted to the MS-RDN Track, you are required to successfully complete the following seven (or eight) undergraduate-level prerequisite courses:

• General chemistry with lab (completed through a comprehensive one-semester course or through general chemistry 1)
• Organic chemistry with lab (completed through a comprehensive one-semester course or through organic chemistry 1)
• Biochemistry without lab (completed through a comprehensive one-semester course)
• Human physiology with lab (completed through a comprehensive one-semester course with lab or through anatomy & physiology 1 and 2 with labs)
• Microbiology without lab
• Introductory nutrition
• Statistics

Biochemistry, human physiology, and introductory nutrition courses must be completed within roughly five years of beginning the master’s program. The other prerequisite courses can be older than five years.

At least four of these courses must be successfully completed prior to applying for the MS-RDN Track. If admitted to our Program, you will need to complete all remaining prerequisite courses with suitable grades prior to beginning the MS-RDN Track.

Graduation Requirements

Students graduate from our Program with a Master of Science degree in either Nutrition Education (NE), Nutrition and Public Health (NPH), or Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (NEP). The first 2 areas of specialization are 50 credits and NEP is 57 credits. All credits must be satisfied in order to receive the degree.

Furthermore, students must demonstrate evidence of an overall "B" level performance in core nutrition courses.  If students receive a grade less than a "B" for a course, additional opportunities will be provided to demonstrate that competency has been achieved in all key course objectives. In addition, students must abide by TC's grading policy: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/registrar/resources/request-transcript/definitions-of-grades-at-teachers-college/

Finally, all students must complete an integrative project in their final year of the Program which is a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) project through which they improve nutrition-related operations at one of their worksite rotations. Students also participate in the CQI Fair held at Teachers College. 

Verification Statement Requirements 
A verification statement indicates successful completion of an ACEND-accredited program and is required to be eligible for the examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). For all areas of specialization, students must meet the same requirements to be issued a verification statement by the Integrated MS-RDN Track Director:

• Complete over 1000 hours of supervised practice.
• Successfully meet each competency, as measured by performance indicators.
• Successfully graduate from the Program and receive a degree based on the requirements outlined above. 

There are a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to Integrated MS-RDN Track students.

Financial Support within Teachers College

Students may apply for financial aid through the TC Scholarship Application (via the application for admission) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available for students who are interested in applying for federal student loans and Federal Work Study. To complete the FAFSA, visit studentaid.gov and use the TC school code: G03979. Please note that international students are not eligible for federal student loans, but they may be eligible for other forms of institutional aid or can apply for a private loan. 

Prospective students can find out more information about the types of financial resources available and how to apply for financial aid here. For priority consideration, you are encouraged to apply by December 1st. 

There are several scholarship awards provided through Teachers College and the Program in Nutrition:

• Teachers College scholarships are applied for through your Admission Application.
• The Program in Nutrition may provide small amounts of scholarship funds to supplement amounts awarded by the College.
• Students can consider applying for an Arthur Zankel Urban Fellowship which provides $12,000/year for working with disadvantaged inner-city youth. The fellowship is not automatically renewed, but students can re-apply for a second year.

Financial Support Outside of Teachers College

There are also scholarship opportunities outside of Teachers College. We encourage students to pursue scholarships from sources such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, the New York State Dietetic Association or other local affiliates, and other organizations.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Scholarships

Most of the scholarships from this organization are between $1,000 and $2,500. However, available scholarships range from $500 to $25,000. There is a centralized application that considers you for every AND Foundation scholarship for which you meet eligibility criteria, which often includes the state dietetic associations. Furthermore, most AND Foundation scholarships either require membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or give preference to Academy members.

Applications for the AND Foundation Scholarships are generally available between mid-February and mid-April. Please check the AND Foundation Scholarship website for specific dates.

Dietetic Practice Groups (DPG) & Member Interest Groups (MIG) Scholarships

DPGs are professional-interest groups made up of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) members who connect with others in their areas of practice/interest. MIGs are groups of AND members who have a common interest, which typically reflect characteristics of the members themselves and the public they serve, rather than dietetic practice areas. Different DPGs and MIGs may offer scholarships for their members. See their individual websites for more information.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

There are additional organizations that may provide scholarship opportunities for nutrition students, such as:

• Diversify Dietetics 
• American Society for Nutrition
• Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior
• Society for Public Health Education
• American Public Health Association
• Association for the Study of Food and Society
• School Nutrition Association
• American College of Sports Medicine Foundation
• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

Are classes and worksite rotations in person or remote?

The vast majority of classes are in person. Global Foods Practicum and Nutrition Care Process & Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 are both held remotely to give students in their first year of the Program the opportunity to travel in early January and during July and August. The two Lehman courses plus lab that students complete during their first semester are hybrid. Finally, one January and one summer course in the Nutrition and Exercise Physiology specialization are held remotely.

Remote courses are held via Zoom and are no different from in-person classes in terms of student support, learning, faculty/student interaction, learning assessments, and syllabi. The Course Instructor provides the Zoom link to join class. Students are expected to have access to a computer with a working camera and high-speed internet to participate fully in online courses.

The majority of worksite rotations are in person. Less than 50% of all clinical nutrition, community nutrition, or food service rotations may be remote. 

Where are worksite rotations located?

All in-person worksite rotations are located in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) and a few remote rotations are located out-of-state. A car is not needed to access rotations. No international worksite rotations are available.

Do I have to find my own worksites or preceptors?

No. The Program has partnerships with a wide variety of clinical, community, and food service organizations that provide supervised experiential learning. Site placements are made by the Integrated MS-RDN Director.

May I apply prior learning credits and/or supervised experiential learning hours to my degree?

Students who have previously completed a full semester, undergraduate or graduate level Food Science with Lab course may be exempt from the Food Science course at Lehman College and students who have completed a full semester, graduate-level macronutrient metabolism and/or micronutrient metabolism course may be exempt from Advanced Nutrition 1 and/or 2 at Teachers College as long as the prior course fulfills the required competencies and performance indicators. This must be demonstrated by a detailed course syllabus, description and supporting evidence of specific activities through which each of the performance indicators was satisfied, and suitable grade performance on each activity. For additional information, please contact the Program in Nutrition Academic Secretary, Erica Rosen, at er2579@tc.columbia.edu.

Exemption from other courses cannot be granted given the unique and integrated nature of our curriculum, and supervised experiential learning hours cannot be granted for prior learning and work experiences. 

May I attend the Program part-time?

The Program in Nutrition recognizes that students may have outside responsibilities and work commitments that make it difficult to enroll in the Program full-time. Students are welcome to enroll part-time, completing the Program in 3 or 4 years. These students will work with their advisor to devise a program plan that works with the student’s schedule. Please note that part-time students are required to complete worksite rotations ~4 days per week from January to mid-August during their final year of the Program. 

How old can my undergraduate-level MS prerequisite courses be?

Introduction to Nutrition, Biochemistry, and Human Physiology should be completed within the prior 5 years. The other MS prerequisite courses can be older than 5 years.

How soon after the application deadline can I expect to learn whether I'm admitted to the Program in Nutrition?

Applicants will learn of their admission status within 4 to 6 weeks of the application deadline.

How many MS students are admitted each year?

Although the number of admitted students varies each year, the goal of the Program in Nutrition is to create an annual cohort of roughly 30 to 40 new master's students. 

I am an RDN. Can I complete an MS degree without the supervised experiential learning hours that are required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

No. Our MS degrees are fully integrated with over 1,000 hours of supervised experiential learning. Students who complete one of our MS degrees will be prepared to sit for the RDN exam shortly after receiving their graduation diploma. Our Integrated MS degrees are designed for those who are not currently RDNs.

How can I become an RDN if I completed an MS degree in nutrition from a program that was not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)? 

You can apply for admission to our MEd degree. The curriculum for this advanced master's degree can be fashioned to include all required didactic and practicum courses as well as supervised experiential learning hours to prepare you to sit for the RDN exam upon graduation.

Program in Nutrition Director: Randi Wolf, PhD, MPH

Integrated MS-RDN Track Director: Jennifer Hildner, MS, RDN, CDN

Teachers College, Columbia University

525 West 120th Street, Box: 137

New York, NY 10027

Contact Person: Erica Rosen, Academic Secretary
Phone: (212) 678-3130 
Email: er2579@tc.columbia.edu

Website last updated: August 22, 2024