Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist Preparation
The Nutrition Education integrated MS-RDN degree prepares graduates to work with individuals and groups in many settings, such as communities, work sites, healthcare facilities, businesses, government and international agencies, visual media, and private practice. Students complete additional courses beyond the core that prepare them to provide culturally competent food and nutrition education in various settings and though various media, to conduct individual and group counseling and patient education, and to participate in programs to improve environmental supports for behavior change. The master's degree also prepares graduates to serve as resource specialists and curriculum developers in schools, communities, non-profit organizations, and universities.
This degree program conforms to the Nutrition Education Competencies for Promoting Healthy Individuals, Communities, and Food Systems set forth by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
* For details about rolling deadlines, visit our admission deadlines page.
Points/Credits: 50
Course Requirements
Integrated Master of Science: General Requirements
The major program emphases are in the fields of Nutrition Education, Nutrition and Public Health, and Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. All three integrated MS-RDN degrees require the following core didactic courses and practicum courses:
All three Master of Science degrees require a substantial integrative departmental project or thesis.
Master of Science: Nutrition Education
Students working toward the 50-credit integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education will also complete a course titled Eating Disorders: Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment (3 credits) along with a 3-credit elective course focusing on individual and group nutrition education in communities, schools, work sites, health care, and/or mass media settings.
The integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education conforms to the guidelines for the Nutrition Education Competencies for Promoting Healthy Individuals, Communities, and Food Systems set forth by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Tuition & Fees for integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education
The full-time integrated MS-RDN degree in Nutrition Education consists of 50 credits distributed over two 12-month years as follows:
Year #1:
Fall semester (16 credits)*
January session (1 credit)
Spring semester (12 credits)
Summer session #1 (7 credits)**
Summer session #2 (4 credits)* **
Year #2:
Fall semester (13 credits)
Spring semester (4 credits)**
Summer session #1 (1 credit)**
*Two 4-credit graduate courses will be completed at Lehman College of the City University of New York. These courses are Ethnic and Therapeutic Meal Patterns and Food Science. These 8 credits are in addition to the 50 credits completed at Teachers College.
**For students who need full-time status, a certificate of equivalency will be issued. Despite a low credit total for a few of the semesters, the associated supervised experiential learning hours as part of the practicum courses at various work sites equate to full-time status.
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In addition to the cost of the Teachers College courses**, students should budget for the following:
**Information regarding tuition and fees (updated annually) can be found at: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees
Information about financial aid, scholarships, stipends can be found at: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/financial-aid/