Nutrition & Dietetic Practice/RDN Program

The Full-Time, In-Person MS/RDN program pathway is composed of both didactic coursework and supervised experiential learning (SEL). These two modes of learning are integrated as the didactic courses include experiential learning activities (such as case studies, site visits, on-site activities, and simulations) and the SELs include didactic coursework (such as reflections and written assignments). SEL faculty are able to provide students with learning materials and other resources to refresh students on relevant foundational knowledge prior to applied practice.

Academic Schedule

Students new to nutrition and dietetics typically begin the program in early June (pre-fall semester) and complete the program in mid-December of the following year (19 months). Students with a nutrition and dietetics background typically begin the program in mid-August (fall semester) and complete the program in mid-December of the following year (16 months).

Year 1

Pre-Fall semester – The pre-fall semester for first-year students typically begins in early June and ends mid-August. Classes are held 3 days per week; students do not complete rotations during this semester.

Orientation – Orientation will typically occur the week prior to the first week of the first fall semester. During this 3-day experience, students prepare for being their SEL rotations.

Fall semester – The fall semester will typically start the last week of August and classes will end in mid-to-late December. Classes are held 2 days per week; students typically complete 2 rotations during this semester.

Spring semester –The spring semester typically begins in early January and ends in late April. Classes are held 2 days per week; students typically complete 2 rotations during this semester.

Year 2

Pre-Fall semester – The pre-fall semester for second-year students typically begins in mid-May and ends mid-August. Classes are held 1 day per week; students typically complete 2 rotations during this semester.

Fall semester – The fall semester will typically start the last week of August and classes will end in mid-to-late December. Classes are held 1 day per week; students typically complete 3 rotations during this semester.

Please see the posted academic calendar for each school year for exact dates. 

Vacations/Holidays

Vacation is defined as the time between semesters. This typically provides a 3-week break between fall and spring semesters, a 3-week break between spring and pre-fall semesters, and a 2-week break between pre-fall and fall semesters. This time will be utilized to address a student’s remediation plan if appropriate and needed.

Holidays recognized by the University:

Thanksgiving Break (late November – 4 days)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January – 1 day)

Spring Break (mid-March – 1 week)

Memorial Day (May – 1 day)

Independence Day (July – 1 day)

Labor Day (September – 1 day)

Students who wish to observe religious or cultural holidays will collaborate with program faculty and preceptors in order to do so.

SEL Rotations

Students complete 9 rotations during the program, spending 4 to 8 weeks in each rotation, allowing a wide range of experiences. Jefferson MS/RDN SEL sites include hospitals, private practice businesses, outpatient clinics, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, professional sports organizations, eating disorder facilities, school district and university dining services, and many additional unique settings. Students have the option of completing certain rotations virtually or in a hybrid format, rather than in person, if that is their preference.  

The program secures and schedules preceptors and sites for all rotations. SEL rotation placements are determined based on student input, site availability, and individualized student priorities. Each student will be assigned to a program faculty advisor. Each semester, students will learn about the available SEL sites for the rotations they’re scheduled to complete during the following semester. They will then rank their SEL site preferences and additionally discuss these choices with their advisor, with context related to their learning and career goals. 

Program Completion Requirements

In order to successfully complete this program and graduate with a MS in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice, students must complete all of the required courses in the MS/RDN curriculum sequence, earning a grade of C+ or better in each of those courses, as well as earn a “meets expectations” rating or higher on all summative competency-related performance measures. Please see the MS/RDN Student Handbook for more information.

Distance Learning Experience Expectations

Jefferson MS/RDN didactic courses are delivered in person with the exception of extenuating circumstances or unique learning opportunities. In these cases, the program may utilize live, synchronous remote class sessions.

All SEL rotation courses can be completed in person. However, certain rotation sites offer only remote or hybrid experiential learning. Only students specifically interested in completing a rotation at one of these sites would be assigned to them. These students would engage in distance learning during the relevant rotation(s).

For these reasons, it is necessary that MS/RDN students be equipped to successfully complete some remote learning experiences. When students join the program, they should be prepared and willing to use basic computer hardware and software to complete selected learning experiences. Expectations include but are not limited to use of electronic communication, online videoconferencing platforms, and cloud-based document collaboration tools. 

The Jefferson MS/RDN program requires these components for successful distance learning: 

• Reliable internet access, with a recommended minimum internet speed of 512 kbps
• Access to a laptop, desktop computer, and/or tablet
• A working webcam, microphone, and speakers
• The most recent release of the web browsers Chrome, Firefox, and/or Safari
• Ability to access satellite or wireless communication 

As students of Thomas Jefferson University, all MS/RDN students will be granted free access to additional tools and resources that support effective distance learning. 

Please see the MS/RDN Student Handbook for more information regarding distance learning experience expectations in the MS/RDN program.