Degree Requirements: 45 Credit Hours

Program Description

The MSNF-DI program combines a non-thesis Master’s degree with a minimum of 1000 supervised practice hours for eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians. Students gain experience in community nutrition, food systems administration, and clinical nutrition practice areas. Upon completing three semesters (first year), students will take a Master’s level comprehensive examination prior to enrollment in the Practicum in Nutrition and Dietetics course. Students must pass the comprehensive examination prior to starting the Practicum in Nutrition and Dietetics course. Previous graduate coursework may be accepted at the discretion of the Program Director. Previous graduate course work must be supported by an institutional catalog description and course syllabus.

Admission Requirements

Meeting minimum entry requirements does not guarantee a seat in the program.

1. Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition & Dietetics, the accrediting agency of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, with coursework completed within the last 5 years
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), with a minimum of a ‘C’ in prerequisite DPD, math, and science coursework
3. TOEFL IBT score of 80 with a minimum score of 20 in each of the four exam sub-sections (international students)
4. Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE). No minimum score required.
5. Completion of dietetic related volunteer and work experience, in the fields of nutrition, food science, health, laboratory or clinical research, foodservice, food industry, nutrition education, or health promotion
6. Completion of the online Georgia Southern Graduate Application 
7. Submit official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. 
8. Completion of the online Dietetic Internship Centralized application Service (DICAS http://portal.dicas.org ) packet with the following:
   • Application Information 
   • Intent to Complete or Verification of Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics
   • Personal statement (8000 character limit) discussing the following:
     • Why you want to enter the dietetics profession
     • Your interest in community nutrition or in school nutrition (choose only one)
     • Your short-term and long-term goals
     • Experiences and skills that reflect your ability to be successful in the dietetic internship and as a registered dietitian
     • An assessment of the qualities, knowledge, and skills you feel you need or wish to improve upon
     • Other information you consider important for the selection process
   • Resume that includes education, work and professional history, recognition/awards, membership and participation in professional organizations, dietetic related volunteer experience, other experiences related to the dietetic internship. 
   • Three letters of reference
   • Upload results of a criminal background check that includes federal , state and local levels. For Professional Screening & Information (PSI), the costumer code is CUST and the product 983 and product code GSUN for background check only (background check must be clear of offenses for the previous five years), http://www.psibackgroundcheck.com/
9. Register with D & D Digital matching system at http://www.dnddigital.com and submit the D & D Digital registration fee. Pre-Select Georgia Southern University graduates do not register with D & D Digital matching system. 
10. Completion of a pre-admission interview.
11. Completion of a pre-admissions math quiz.
12. Required documentation after acceptance to the DI Program are listed on the program website: https://chp.georgiasouthern.edu/hk/graduate/dietetic-internship-programs/combined-masters-of-science-in-nutrition-and-foods-plus-dietetic-internship-ms-di-program/ms-di-program-admissions/

NOTE: Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for other admissions related information.

Program of Study

• NTFS 7331 - Applied Food Science (3 Credit Hours)
• NTFS 7333 - Research Methods in Nutrition and Foods (3 Credit Hours)
• NTFS 7334 - Applied Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 Credit Hours)
• NTFS 7335 - Public Health & Community Nutrition (3 Credit Hours)
• NTFS 7337 - Macronutrient Metabolism (3 Credit Hours)
• NTFS 7338 - Micronutrient Metabolism (3 Credit Hours)
• NTFS 7339 - Energy Balance for Weight Management (3 Credit Hours)
• NTFS 7431 - Nutrition Education (3 Credit Hours)

• or COHE 7238 - Communication for Change (3 Credit Hours)  

• NTFS 7611 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• NTFS 7612 - Professional Development (1 Credit Hour)
• NTFS 7613 - Dietetic Internship Orientation (1 Credit Hour)
• NTFS 7790 - Practicum in Nutrition and Dietetics (1-9 Credit Hours) *