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Master of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Registered Dietitian (RD) Integrated Master’s Program meets the newly implement requirement of the dietetics accrediting body, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). A master’s degree is now required before students may take the dietetics licensing exam. This program will prepare students to successfully complete the licensure exam and to prepare themselves for meaningful and productive work in the field of dietetics. Students can complete the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics (MND) in a summer plus a year of classes. This combination directly connects didactic classes with experiential learning.

MASTER OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS 
(36 hours)

NTR 505 Summer Professional Practicum (1) (Required only if prior Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) of 100 hours has not been completed).
NTR 511 Professional Practicum 1 (3)
NTR 512 Professional Practicum 2 (3)
NTR 535 Advanced Public Health Nutrition (3)
NTR 545 Cultural and Global Health Nutrition (2)
NTR 550 Advanced Nutrition Counseling (3)
NTR 551 Evidence- Based Research (3)
NTR 560 Professionalism and Leadership in Dietetics (3)
NTR 575 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 (3)
NTR 576 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 (3)
NTR 588 Advanced Nutrient Metabolism (3)
NTR 590 Dietetics Capstone Project 1 (2)
NTR 592 Dietetics Capstone Project 2 (2)
MGT 505 The Theory and Practice of Management (3)

Courses

NTR 505 SUMMER PROFESSIONAL PRACTICUM  (1) 

NTR 511 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICUM 1 (3)
Professional Practicum 1 provides Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) experiences, which allows students to practice and apply the knowledge and skills learned in graduate academic course work in a professional practice setting. These experiences are under the guidance of an RDN preceptor ( or competent professional) who acts as a one-on-one facilitator to develop and guide practice and eventual entry-level competence in these skills. The course comprises the summative assessment of ACEND graduate program competencies.

NTR 512 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICUM 2 (3)
Professional Practicum 2 provides Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) experiences, which allows students to practice and apply the knowledge and skills learned in graduate academic course work in a professional practice setting. These experiences are under the guidance of an RDN preceptor (or competent professional) who acts as a one-on-one facilitator to develop and guide practice and eventual entry-level competence in these skills. The course comprises the summative assessment of ACEND graduate program competencies.

NTR 535 ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION (3)
This course provides a detailed look at policies at the local, state, and global level that have impacts on nutritional status and disease prevention. Students will be asked to evaluate and look critically at public policy and the impact on health outcomes.

NTR 545 CULTURAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH NUTRITION (2)
This course will give students a deeper understanding of the relationship between policy, cultural environment, and the influence or impact on a community or individual health status. Students will spend time within various cultures understanding the food environment and assessing food and health barriers to preventing chronic disease. Students will also gain an understanding of the impact of the global and local agricultural policies and their effect on community and individual food choices.

NTR 550 ADVANCED NUTRITION COUNSELING (3)
This course is designed to build on an undergraduate course in nutrition education and create an environment for the student to gain nutrition counseling skills. Students will be expected to learn the various theories behind behavior change, understand diverse cultural influences on dietary habits, and gain an understanding of development of educational materials for various populations. Students will build professionalism and be expected to work with community members and clients.

NTR 551 EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH (3)
The course will provide the student with an overview of evidence-based research methods used when addressing a research question, including quantitative methods for analyzing data, qualitative research, study design, literature review and the qualities of writing a scientific paper. Statistical techniques used in research methods are studied as well as literature search and review that is needed to inform research questions. The role of ethics and the Institutional Review Board is also included. This course prepares students to enter into their own research project in the Dietetics Capstone Project.

NTR 560 PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP IN DIETETICS (3)
This course will explore professionalism, management, and leadership concepts, issues, roles, and functions as applied to the role of the professional RDN in various healthcare settings. Development in the roles of problem solver, change agent, and leader are emphasized. The course focuses on evidence-based leadership and management skills and competencies needed by RDN's to work productively in interprofessional teams. Learners will analyze current best practices related to leadership roles, communication, teamwork and collaboration, quality improvement, and culturally competent client-centered care. Emphasis is placed on self-reflection and linking the concepts from the program to participants' own objectives and development as leaders. This course will use lectures, group discussions, case analysis, videos, and self assessments.

NTR 575 ADVANCED MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY 1 (3)
This course is an advanced study of the nature and etiology of human disease, the relationship of nutrition to health and disease processes and the use of medical nutrition therapy in the treatment.

NTR 576 ADVANCED MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY 2 (3)
This course continues the advanced study of the nature and etiology of human disease, the relationship of nutrition to health and disease processes and the use of medical nutrition therapy in the treatment and prevention of disease that began in NTR 575. All of the elements of NTR 575, including the nutrition care process, nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention and monitoring, and professional documentation methods will be utilized. Additionally, the conditions and diseases studied will include the more complex nutrition disorders of obesity, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, enteral nutrition, and parenteral nutrition.

NTR 588 ADVANCED NUTRIENT METABOLISM (3)
This course is designed to build on basic knowledge of the essential nutrients, cell biology, and pathophysiology courses to gain a deeper understanding of the role of nutrients at the cellular level. This focuses on both macronutrients and micronutrients as well as metabolic pathways and how metabolic pathways can influence weight loss, obesity, and disease processes.

NTR 590 DIETETICS CAPSTONE PROJECT 1 (2)
The Dietetics Capstone is designed to be the first of two parts of the culminating academic experience for the RDN Master's Degree Program. The scope and presentation of the project will bring the knowledge, skills, and competence acquired during the Master's program into an individual research project. This project will demonstrate the student's skills in areas such as academic writing, technical writing, the research process, and the application of nutrition principles to a research problem. This culminating project will result in the student presenting their research in either a professional meeting or a professional poster session.

NTR 592 DIETETICS CAPSTONE PROJECT 2 (2)
The Dietetics Capstone is designed to be the completion of two parts of the culminating academic experience for the RDN Master's Degree Program. The scope and presentation of the project will bring the knowledge, skills, and competence acquired during the Master's program into an individual research project. This project will demonstrate the student's skills in areas such as academic writing, technical writing, the research process, and the application of nutrition principles to a research problem.  This culminating project will result in the student presenting their research in either a professional meeting or a professional poster session.

admissions process

  1. Complete our free application at www.bluffton.edu/apply, including a personal statement and resume.
  2. Submit official transcripts from all previous institutions.
  3. Request to have two letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf.
  4. *Some candidates will be required to interview with the program director.
  5. Upon acceptance, submit $200 deposit to secure spot in the cohort.

For additional information, visit RDN Integrated Dietitian Nutritionist.
For admissions questions, please contact admissions@bluffton.edu or 419-358-3257.

May 2023

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