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Nutrition & Dietetic Practice/RDN Program

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  1. Return to Home
    • Academics
    • College of Health Professions
  2. College of Health Professions
  3. Departments & Programs
  4. Department of Nutritional Sciences

Explore this Section

  • Curriculum: Full-time, In-person Pathway
  • Curriculum: Part-time, Online Pathway
  • Admissions Information
  • Students With a Nutrition/Dietetics Background

At a Glance

  • College

    College of Health Professions

  • Degree

    Master of Science

  • Campus

    Center City

  • Format

    On Campus, Online

  • Duration

    19 Months

  • Enrollment Options

    Full Time, Part Time

Graduate Program in Nutrition & Dietetics

Thomas Jefferson University offers a highly individualized graduate program in Nutrition and Dietetics to prepare students to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students will be awarded an MS degree in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice and will be eligible to take the national RDN exam. Once registered nationally, RDNs are required to be licensed in some states, including Pennsylvania. 

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Overview

Becoming a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist in your state


Program Overview

Thomas Jefferson University's innovative graduate program in nutrition and dietetics emphasizes communication, interdisciplinary practice, social justice advocacy, and sustainable practices. Our students are trained to look beyond the disease and see the whole person. With the dedicated guidance of our faculty and preceptors, the program prepares compassionate and skilled RDNs to work in diverse practice settings.

Program Curriculum

Video: I Am a Nutrition and Dietetics Student

Hear from our students firsthand on their experiences of being a Nutrition & Dietetics major. 


Program Mission Statement, Goals & Objectives

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice program at Thomas Jefferson University is to prepare competent, masters-prepared, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who practice in diverse settings and adapt to rapidly evolving environments. Through emphasizing interdisciplinary practice, social justice advocacy, and sustainable practices, our students are trained to examine the disparities in our healthcare system and consider how registered dietitian nutritionists can help combat these inequities.

Vision Statement:
Nourishing futures through relational and reflective education grounded in evidence-based practice and equitable, person-centered care.

Program Values:

Collaboration and Community
Cultivating a culture of teamwork that encourages shared growth through partnership among students, faculty, and preceptors to enhance health outcomes. 

Compassionate, Person-Centered Care
Nurturing empathetic providers who prioritize dignity and well-being by seeing beyond the disease to honor the whole person - physically, emotionally, and culturally.

Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice
Preparing professionals to combat health disparities, advocate for justice, and serve diverse communities with affirming, respectful care.

Sustainability & Responsibility
Empowering graduates to be agents of transformative change through environmentally, socially, and fiscally responsible practice.

Weight-Inclusive Approaches to Health
Advancing evidence-based care that honors body diversity, challenges stigma, and prioritizes health and well-being for individuals across the weight spectrum.

Educational Values:

Collaboration and Community
Creating a learning culture that fosters curiosity, authentic relationships, mutual respect, and partnerships built on shared values among students, faculty, and preceptors.

Individualization
Tailoring each student’s path to success according to their unique strengths, interests, and career goals through personalized mentorship and intentional rotation placements.

Student-Centered Education
Building on each learner's capacity for growth by coupling high standards with the caring feedback and thoughtful strategies needed to achieve students’ full potential.

Program Goals

Program outcomes data are available upon request. To request this data, please contact Program Director Kati Fosselius, MS, RDN, LDN. 

Goal 1: 

Program graduates will be competent, highly qualified entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who are well prepared to work in interdisciplinary teams and in a variety of practice settings.

  • At least 80% of program graduates in the full-time track complete program requirements within 29 months (150% of the program length) and at least 80% of program graduates in the part-time track complete program requirements within 47 months (150% of the program length).
  • At least 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • At least 90% of alumni survey respondents rate themselves as “prepared” or “very prepared” to be a competent, professional, entry-level, registered dietitian nutritionist in their employment setting.
  • At least 90% of alumni survey respondents rate themselves as “prepared” or “very prepared” to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
  • 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 90% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • At least 90% of employers who complete a survey on program graduates report that the graduate “meets” or “exceeds” expectations for entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists in terms of professional knowledge and interprofessional skills.

Goal 2: 

Program graduates will engage in social justice advocacy and activities that promote social, professional, and/or environmental sustainability.

Objectives

  • At least 80% of graduate survey respondents report engaging in at least one social justice leadership or active service effort within three years of program completion.
  • At least 80% of graduate survey respondents report engaging in at least one effort that promotes social, professional, and/or environmental sustainability within three years of program completion.

Accreditation Information

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). ACEND exists to serve the public by establishing and enforcing Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards that ensure the quality and continued improvement of nutrition/dietetics education programs. Programs meeting those standards are accredited by ACEND. ACEND is recognized by the United States Department of Education. This affirms that ACEND meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition/dietetics education programs.

The Thomas Jefferson University MS in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice/RDN Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

For further information, please contact:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 | Chicago, IL 60606-6995
ACEND@eatright.org | 1-800-877-1600 ext. 5400

Program Costs

Jefferson MS/RDN students who follow the Suggested Curriculum Path will be full-time graduate students throughout the program and are eligible to apply for federal finanical aid. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Jefferson MS/RDN students may be eligible for departmental scholarships. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.

Applicants are encouraged to review the published graduate tuition and fees for the MS/RDN program.

Tuition & Fee Information

Applicants are also encouraged to review the section titled Tuition and Fees in the MS/RDN Student Handbook for a complete breakdown of tuition, fees, and additional program-specific costs. Expenses listed include estimated expenses for travel, housing, books, insurance, medical exams, and uniforms, in addition to program fees and tuition.

Request More Information

For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions, 215-951-2800, or Program Director Kati Fosselius, MS, RDN, LDN, 215-503-9824.

Get in Touch

Program Contact

Name: Kati Fosselius, MS, RDN, LDN
Position:
  • Director, MS in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice Program
Email: Kati.Fosselius@jefferson.edu

Contact Admissions

Email: enroll@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-951-2800
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