Program

Drexel University's Master of Science in Human Nutrition program offers comprehensive education in nutrition science, preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) or nutrition researchers. Our program caters to bachelor's degree holders seeking to enter the field of nutrition or deepen their expertise.

Two Specialized Tracks

1. Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Plus Partner Dietetic Internship
• Two-year pathway to becoming an RDN
• Available face-to-face or fully online
• Guaranteed dietetic internship with partner programs
• 100% match rate for dietetic internships (2016-present)
• 98% one-year pass rate on the RDN exam
2. Nutrition Sciences (NS)
• Focuses on research and industry applications
• Prepares students for advanced study
• Requires a research thesis with mentor guidance

Program Highlights

• One of the first graduate-level DPD programs in the U.S.
• Interdisciplinary approach combining nutrition science and social sciences
• Covers normal and therapeutic nutrition for individuals and groups
• Emphasizes current research in food preference, nutrition assessment and education

Curriculum Focus

• Biochemistry, physiology and biology applied to human nutrition
• Obesity, lipid metabolism, nutraceuticals and diet-endocrine relationships
• Professional values and skills for entry-level RDNs

Career Opportunities for RDNs

• Clinical dietitians in hospitals and medical offices
• Sports dietitians for athletes and teams
• Wellness dietitians in corporate programs
• Community dietitians in public health
• Management dietitians overseeing large-scale meal planning
• Consultant dietitians for health care facilities
• Private practice nutritionists
• Nutrition educators in higher education

The Master of Science in Human Nutrition DPD Plus Partner Dietetic Internship track is built on the strength of Drexel’s successful history of offering an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at the master’s degree level by partnering with the following highly competitive and rigorous dietetic internships. Students who successfully complete the degree program are guaranteed a dietetic internship at one of the partner programs:

• Emory Healthcare Dietetic Internship Program, Atlanta, GA 
• Tulane University Dietetic Internship, New Orleans, LA 
• University of Maryland Medical Center Dietetic Internship, Baltimore, MD 
• Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Dietetic Internship, Richmond, VA 
• Yale New Haven Hospital Dietetic Internship, New Haven, CT 

Join Drexel's esteemed Human Nutrition program to launch your career in nutrition science or become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Our cutting-edge curriculum and guaranteed internship partnerships provide a clear path to success in the field of nutrition.

If you are interested in learning more information on the MS in Human Nutrition DPD Plus Partner Dietetic Internship track, register for an upcoming virtual information session.

As of January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In Pennsylvania, graduates also must obtain licensure to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics at Drexel University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. Learn more about becoming an RDN.

Note: Applying to the MS in Human Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Plus Partner Dietetic Internship program requires special planning. Students are admitted in the fall term only. The first consideration before submitting an application is whether all prerequisites have been met. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that transcripts can be reviewed and prerequisites determined.

If you are interested in learning more information on the MS in Human Nutrition DPD Plus Partner Dietetic Internship track, please register for an upcoming Virtual Information Session.

Admission Requirements

Degree:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Transcripts:

• Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all the colleges/universities that you have attended. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the college/university seal over the flap to Drexel University, Applications Processing, PO Box 34789, Philadelphia, PA 19101, or submitted through a secure electronic transcript delivery service to enroll@drexel.edu. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
• Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
• If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency
• Use our Transcript Lookup Tool to assist you in contacting your previous institutions

Prerequisites:
For the MS/DPD Plus, you must complete the following prerequisite courses before starting the program:

• 1 year English composition and/or literature
• 1 semester general biology with lab to include cell and genetics
• 2 semesters general chemistry, including an introduction to organic chemistry, with lab, OR 1 semester general/inorganic chemistry with lab AND 1 semester organic chemistry with lab
• 1 semester biochemistry
• 1 semester human physiology or 2 semesters anatomy and physiology
• 1 semester general psychology
• 1 semester statistics
• 1 semester introductory nutrition

Prerequisite Questions

References:
Two letters of recommendation

• Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
• If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter, please remind them that it must include an ink signature and be submitted in a sealed envelope.

Personal Statement/ Essay:
Approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel and your short- and long-term career plans and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values—when combined with a Drexel degree—will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.

Interview/Portfolio:
Admissions interview is not required.

CV/Resume:
Required.

Assessment of Prior Learning
Graduate coursework completed with a grade of B or better that is deemed to be equivalent to Drexel courses may be transferred into the program. However, transferring courses may result in the student dropping below full-time status and impact eligibility for financial aid.

Students applying for the online degree program must have access to reliable high-speed internet to participate in synchronous courses held between 9 AM and 9 PM Eastern time. Applicants considering this option should fully explore the requirements and resources at Drexel University Online Education.

International Students:
International applicants, as well as immigrants to the United States and U.S. permanent residents whose native language is not English and who have not received a bachelor's degree or higher in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. American citizens born on U.S. military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status. Otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: 

If you take the TOEFLiBT exam, you must have: 

• a minimum combined score for listening, writing, and reading sections of 79 plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.
• a minimum score of 550 or higher and a Test of Spoken English score (TSE) of 55 or higher.

Tuition and Fee Rates:
Please visit the Tuition and Fee Rates page on Drexel Central. The department offers a Dean’s Fellowship to qualified candidates upon acceptance based on undergraduate GPA. In addition, the department awards the Marsh Scholarship based on financial need; to be considered for the Marsh award, students must complete the FAFSA. Please visit the Financial Aid Options page to learn about options to help finance your degree program.

Application Deadlines:

MS Human Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Plus Partner Dietetic Internship Track:

• U.S. Students:
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of June 1, 2024 and may be accepted contingent upon completing outstanding prerequisite courses. Once the class is full, qualified applicants will be offered the opportunity to move their application to the following year or to the next open cohort of the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics. No applications for a fall 2024 start will be accepted after September 1, 2024.
• International Students:
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of June 1, 2024 and may be accepted contingent upon completing outstanding prerequisite courses. Once the class is full, qualified applicants will be offered the opportunity to move their application to the following year or to the next open cohort of the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics. No applications for a fall 2024 start will be accepted after June 13, 2024.

MS Human Nutrition/Nutrition Sciences Track:

• U.S. Students:
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; applicants are encouraged to apply by April 15, 2024.

• International Students:
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; no applications will be accepted after January 15, 2024.

For more information on Admissions, please visit: http://drexel.edu/grad/programs/cnhp/human-nutrition/.

Curriculum

• Course Descriptions

Nutrition Sciences Track

• Degree Requirements
• Sample Plan of Study

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Track

• Degree Requirements
• Sample Plan of Study

Accreditation

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 dietitians (RD). 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. 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 Drexel University Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and Graduate Program (GP) is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

For further information, please contact:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics 
of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 
Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312.899.0040 ext. 5400 
http://www.eatrightPRO.org/ACEND

USDE Requirements for Disclosing Licensure Information to Students

It is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program is designed to and does meet all state dietetics licensure and certification. More information about state licensure and certification is available at this link: https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap

Outcomes

Drexel's MS in Human Nutrition graduates have exceptionally high placement in dietetic internships. Over the past five years (2019–2023), 100% (43/43) of graduates of the program were preselected or matched with a dietetic internship or ISPP (national average 70%).

Drexel's MS in Human Nutrition alumni have an exceptionally high pass rate on the entry-level exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Over the past five years (2018–2022), 93.8% (61/65) of MS in Human Nutrition alumni passed the exam on their first attempt and 100% passed within one year.

Additional program outcomes are available upon request by contacting the Program Director, Professor Beth Leonberg.

DPD Mission:

Drexel University’s Department of Nutrition Sciences, didactic program in dietetics integrates a foundation in the nutrition sciences with courses in the social sciences to provide the knowledge, skills and professional values needed to prepare students to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

Program Goals

Program Goal #1: To provide quality didactic instruction and learning experiences to prepare graduates to be accepted into dietetic internships or to work in the field of dietetics.

• Objective #1: At least 90% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective #2: Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 90% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective #3: At least 80% of students complete program within 18 months (150% of planned program length).

Program Goal #2: To prepare graduates to become competent entry-level dietitians.

• Objective #1: 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%.
• Objective #2: Internship directors or employers of graduates of the DPD will rate ten aspects of the students’ preparation for internship an average of "4" or better, on a scale of 1=poor to 5=excellent within 12 months of graduation.

Program Goal #3: To increase diversity in the profession by facilitating the success of students from underrepresented groups.

• Objective #1: At least 25% of students will be from underrepresented groups.

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD): Your Path to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

What is a DPD? The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is the crucial first step towards becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). At Drexel University, our DPD provides:

• Comprehensive coursework approved by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
• 45 graduate credits, completable in 12 months of full-time study
• A verification statement upon successful completion, required for dietetic internship entry
• Prerequisite fulfillment for Master of Science students

Program Highlights

• Focused on promoting optimal wellness through nutrition science
• Requires a minimum grade of B in all DPD courses for verification
• Prepares students for the competitive dietetic internship application process

Next Step: Dietetic Internship after completing the MS/DPD program

• Embark on a dietetic internship (supervised practice)
• Gain hands-on training through 1,000+ hours of supervised practice
• Typically 8-12 months in duration, with part-time options available
• Competitive entry process
• Qualifies you for the RDN examination upon completion

Career Opportunities for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

RDNs are versatile nutrition experts with diverse career paths:

1. Clinical Dietitians: Provide medical nutrition therapy in healthcare settings
2. Sports Dietitians: Support athletes and sports teams
3. Wellness Dietitians: Lead corporate wellness initiatives
4. Community Dietitians: Promote public health through nutrition education
5. Management Dietitians: Oversee large-scale food service operations
6. Consultant Dietitians: Offer expertise to healthcare facilities
7. Private Practice Dietitians: Provide personalized nutrition counseling
8. Education Dietitians: Teach nutrition in higher education settings

Our comprehensive curriculum and expert faculty will prepare you for a rewarding career in nutrition and dietetics.