Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
View delivery options, start terms and 2025-2026admission requirements.
Location: Gunter 2590
Telephone: 970-351-2755
Fax: 970-351-1489
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/nutrition-dietetics/
The Master of Science in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship is a three-year, online program and is designed to prepare students for successful completion of the Registered Dietitian Examination as well as entry-level practice. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The curriculum of 55 credits supports the development of skills related to being a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and provides hands-on learning opportunities in supervised practice settings. Through their coursework, students will develop critical thinking and leadership skills that will support their future work and development as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. This program assumes an undergraduate background in Nutrition and Dietetics and completion of the Didactic Courses in Dietetics.
Areas emphasized include: nutrient metabolism, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling methods, nutrition communication, public health nutrition and research methods. Career opportunities include registered dietitian nutritionist positions in hospitals, clinics, public health departments, government agencies, research settings industry and schools.
The Master of Science in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship requires a capstone course which provides students the opportunity to complete and in-depth study of an area of evidence-based research/practice, write a comprehensive paper and present the project results. The required comprehensive examination for the Master of Science in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship will be satisfied by successful completion of a professional written paper about the capstone project.
Degree Requirements — 55 Credits
Required Major Credits — 26 hours
| FND 530 | Nutrition Assessment and Intervention Methods | 3 |
| FND 551 | Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism - Macronutrients | 3 |
| FND 553 | Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism - Micronutrients | 3 |
| FND 570 | Nutrition Counseling Methods | 3 |
| FND 610 | Nutrition Communication | 3 |
| FND 620 | Current Topics in Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 |
| FND 652 | Public Health Nutrition | 3 |
| FND 686 | Dietetics Capstone | 5 |
Select one of the following research methods courses — 3 hours
| SES 602 | Introduction to Research in Sport and Exercise Science | 3 |
| SRM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Research | 3 |
Elective Credits — 6 hours
Alternate electives may be selected with advisor approval prior to registration for the course.
Supervised Practice Practicum — 20 hours
| FND 592 | Dietetics Supervised Practice | 1-10 |
FND 592: Hours required for each semester will be determined by the Dietetic Internship Director and Staff Specialist. Must register and complete a total of 20 hours.
Program Notes
The Master of Science in Dietetics with Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606 (800-877-1600). With successful completion of the Dietetics M.S. with Dietetic Internship, the graduate is eligible to take the registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Potential applicants are required to submit an application to Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) and register with the D & D Digital Matching site in addition to submitting an application to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado. Admission to the Graduate School does not guarantee admission into the Dietetics graduate program.
The program is offered according to a cohort model in which all students take the courses in the same sequence. The required comprehensive examination will be satisfied by successful completion of a professional paper about your capstone project during the capstone course.