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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Nutrition & Food Science

Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Wayne State's Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics (MS-CPD) prepares students to become practicing experts in nutrition, dietetics and food science as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN). Our Coordinated Program has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) since its inception in 1980.

The MS-CPD is a highly regarded degree option that combines graduate-level coursework with 1032 hours of supervised practice in a two-year program. You'll learn the latest evidence-based practices in nutrition and dietetics as you sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Our top-notch faculty provide expertise in a wide range of nutrition topics and our working relationships with highly rated health centers in Detroit and surrounding communities provide opportunities to learn from qualified and skilled nutrition professionals in the field.

Graduates who plan to remain in the Detroit metropolitan area readily find employment at many facilities and agencies where they completed their rotations. Over 80% of our graduates find employment in the field within three months of graduation. Dietitians can find challenging and rewarding positions in a variety of areas including clinical practice, education and research, private clinics, community organizations, schools, supermarkets and more. Admission to the MS-CPD is competitive, with class size limited to 15. Students can apply by March 1 for the program that begins in the fall semester of that same year.

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Why Wayne State's Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics?

  • Completion of practical experience with academic credit.
  • Reinforced learning by combining classroom and practical training.
  • No need to compete for unpaid internships after completion of the academic program.
  • Diverse practice experiences in multiple settings.

View MS-CPD Student Handbook

Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics requirements and curriculum

Students applying to the Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics must have completed a bachelor's degree before the program starts in late August of the year of application. Official transcripts showing the bachelor's degree must be provided by the end of the fall semester (first semester of the program). The MS-CPD does not offer credit for supervised practice completed before our program.

  • Prerequisite courses

    All grades of "D" for prerequisite courses must be repeated. See MS-CPD prerequisite courses below.

    For applicants who have a bachelor's degree, any remaining prerequisite courses do not need to be completed to apply by the March 1 deadline; you may be enrolled in some of the courses at the time of application and you have the spring/summer semester to complete the remaining courses before the fall semester when the program begins. However, the more courses completed at the time of application, the more competitive your application will be.

    Transferring courses?

    To check for equivalent courses at another college or university, visit the transfer credit search engine. You can also contact our graduate advisor or an advisor at the school where you plan to complete the prerequisite courses.

    CPD prerequisite courses

    Course # Title Credits
    BIO 2870 Anatomy/Physiology 5
    BIO 2270 & 2271 Principles of Microbiology & Lab 3 + 2
    CHM 1100 & 1130 General Chemistry I & Lab 4 + 1
    CHM 1140 & 1150 General Chemistry II & Lab 4 + 1
    CHM 1240 Organic Chemistry I 4
    STA 1020 Statistics 3
    PSY 1020 Psychology 3
    ANT 1100 or
    SOC 1010

    Anthropology or Sociology

    		 3
    MGT 2530 Management 3
    NFS 2130 & 2140 Food Science & Lab 3 + 1
    NFS 3230 Human Nutrition 3
    NFS 2220 Human Nutrition Lab 1
    NFS 4230 Macronutrient Metabolism 3
    NFS 4231 Human Nutrition: Micronutrients 3

    To find out when specific courses will be offered on our schedule of classes and to see our academic calendars visit our Office of the Registrar.

    To see a sample schedule for the CPD, look for the overview of courses in the professional program in our MS-CPD Student Handbook.

  • Program courses

    Upon acceptance into the Coordinated Program in Dietetics, students will follow the two-year course sequence below for 34 credits. Students in the MS-CPD program must maintain an overall university GPA of 3.0 or better and a B or better in all supervised practice and didactic courses. For more information on program retention and policies, please see our MS-CPD Student Handbook.

    MS-CPD program courses

    First semester (year one, fall)

    Course # Title Credits
    NFS 5100 Nutrition Care Process I 2
    NFS 5220 Community Nutrition 2
    NFS 5350 Management of Food Service Systems 4
    NFS 5510 Supervised Practice 1 1

    Second semester (year one, winter)

    Course # Title Credits
    NFS 5120 Nutrition Care Process II 2
    NFS 5250 Nutrition and Disease 4
    NFS 6860 Controversial Issues 2
    NFS 5520 Supervised Practice 2 1

    Third semester (year two, fall)

    Course # Title Credits
    NFS 5200 Advanced Dietetics 3
    NFS 7060 Research Problems 2
    NFS 7240 Nutritional Epidemiology 3
    NFS 5530 Supervised Practice 3 1

    Fourth semester (year two, winter)

    Course # Title Credits
    NFS 5360 Management of Nutrition Care Services 3
    NFS 7800 Master's Capstone in Dietetics 3
    NFS 5540 Supervised Practice 4 1
  • Graduate requirements

    Criteria for program completion

    • Successful completion of all prerequisites (courses must have been completed within five years of application to the program based on time-sensitive course work).
    • Completion of the requirements for a master's degree. For students receiving a degree outside the U.S., a course-by-course equivalency statement from an approved agency must be included with the application packet (see International Students above).
    • Achievement of knowledge and performance competency requirements specified by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is satisfactory or better.
    • Attainment of at least the minimum grade point average, coursework grades, supervised practice evaluation scores and assignments. Complete criteria are in our MS-CPD Handbook under retention, disciplinary policies and procedurres.
    • Successful completion of all MS-CPD courses including 1032 hours of supervised practice. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have:
      • Successfully completed all program and course requirements.
      • Enrolled at Wayne State with the correct designation (graduate) and are satisfying all the program courses during their time at WSU.
    • The program must be completed within three years of the fall semester of the year of program entrance. If the period is longer, the student will need to repeat program courses (and possibly specific prerequisite courses) at the discretion of the MS-CPD faculty, based on their assessment of student learning.

    View full requirements

Frequently asked questions

How do I become an RDN?

Anyone who wants to earn the credential of registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) must obtain the minimum of a master's degree and complete a dietetics program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Visit ACEND for a listing of ACEND-accredited programs.

Two routes to earn the credential are currently available and Wayne State offers the first option (a CPD):

  • Option one: Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD)

    An ACEND-accredited MS-CPD combines all the necessary coursework and a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice experience required for eligibility to write the national registration examination for dietitians, which is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CPDs are graduate-level programs.

    Upon completion of a graduate-level CPD, graduates are eligible to sit for the RDN credentialing exam. No internship is required, as the minimum 1000 required practice hours are completed during the program.

    Wayne State has a graduate-level CPD so graduates of our program are immediately eligible to take the RDN credentialing exam without further education or internship. Our program requires 1032 hours of supervised practice.

  • Option two: Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) + Dietetic Internship (DI)

    An ACEND-accredited DPD provides the required coursework leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree, depending on the specific program. Graduates of a DPD must then complete a minimum of 1000 hours of practice in an ACEND-accredited DI to establish eligibility to write the national registration exam for dietitians, which is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. An undergraduate DPD can be completed in four years, and DIs typically run from eight to twelve months depending on their specific requirements. Graduates of a bachelor's level DPD would need to complete a master's degree before becoming eligible to sit for the RD credentialing exam.

    Wayne State does not offer a DPD or DI program.

  • After your program: Writing the exam and licensure

    Once you have completed a CPD or DPD plus DI, you are eligible to obtain the RDN credential by applying for and successfully completing the registration exam. Exam requirements are set forth by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

    Some states have licensure requirements for dietitians to practice. To practice in one of those states, you must apply for licensure through their regulating body. You can contact the state's dietetic association for more details.

    Michigan does not require licensure for dietitians at this time. You are eligible to practice in Michigan with your RD/RDN credential.

Tuition

Figures apply for the two-year MS-CPD, not including any prerequisite courses. Visit tuition and fees for more information.

  • Cost by semester breakdown

    First semester

    Item Estimated cost
    Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership $58
    Textbooks and course materials $300
    Tuition (based on nine credits for in-state, graduate school) $7769

    Note: Tuition fees will vary if the student is not a resident of Michigan or Windsor.

    Second semester

    Item Estimated cost
    Physical examination and lab fees $751
    Textbooks and course materials $200
    Tuition (based on nine credits for in-state, graduate school) $7769

    Note about physical examination and lab fees: This amount is for a complete physical and all required vaccinations (see V.G. health requirements in the MS-CPD Student Handbook if completed at the Campus Health Center for students without insurance. This amount will vary depending on the vaccinations needed and if the student has insurance.

    Third semester

    Item Estimated cost
    Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership $58
    Lab coat $35
    Textbooks and course materials $200
    Tuition (based on nine credits for in-state, graduate school) $7769

    Fourth semester

    Item Estimated cost
    Textbooks and course materials $200
    Tuition (based on seven credits for in-state, graduate school) $6121

    Additional costs (one academic year)

    Item Living with parent Living in Ghafari Hall Living away from home
    Living expenses (housing + food) $5408 $11,762 $12,104
    Transportation $3392 $3392 $3392

    Note: Costs are estimates and as such are subject to change.

    Student health insurance

    WSU sponsors a health insurance plan for international students only, which is managed by the Office of International Students and Scholars. Domestic students looking for a health plan can visit the Healthy Michigan Plan.

  • Additional costs

    Other costs (one academic year)

    Item Living with parent Living in Ghafari Hall Living away from home
    Living expenses (housing + food) $5408 $11,762 $12,104
    Transportation $3392 $3392 $3392

    Note: Costs are estimates and as such are subject to change.

    Student health insurance

    WSU sponsors a health insurance plan for international students only, which is managed by the Office of International Students and Scholars. Domestic students looking for a health plan can visit the Healthy Michigan Plan.

More about the program

The Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics (MS-CPD) aims to train outstanding entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who service our Metro Detroit and greater Michigan communities. Our educational emphasis is on medical nutrition therapy as it relates to nutrition and chronic diseases, which affect a disproportionate segment of Michigan residents, particularly those in the Detroit community.

Program goals

  • Quality performance

    Graduates will deliver quality nutritional care that is based on current research and academic standards for entry-level dietitians.

    Objectives:

    • At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
    • The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
    • At least 80% of program graduates will receive a rating of four or higher (on a scale from one to five, five is the highest) from their employer, for their overall performance and level of preparation in entry-level practice.
    • At least 80% of graduates surveyed rate their overall level of preparation for entry-level practice at four or higher (on a scale from one to five, five is the highest).
  • Community involvement

    Graduates will provide service to the community and profession by engaging in diverse educational experiences and community involvement.

    Objectives:

    • Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
    • At least 70% of program graduates will become involved in their communities, evidenced by graduate survey data indicating involvement in precepting, professional or volunteer activities.
  • Leadership

    Graduates demonstrate initiative, time management and leadership skills.

    Objectives:

    • At least 80% of students complete program requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
    • At least 25% of graduates will demonstrate leadership by securing a position involving management responsibilities or assuming leadership roles in local, state, or national dietetic associations, practice groups or other professional groups or associations within the first year after program completion.

The MS-CPD continuously monitors progress, achievement of goals and outcome data, which are available upon written request.

Accreditation

The program is granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Continuation of the CPD's full accreditation status was granted in July 2023 for a term of eight years, ending on Dec. 31, 2031.

ACEND@eatright.org
312-899-0040 ext. 5400
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.

Contact 💬

Mary Width, dietetics program director
GradProgramNFS@wayne.edu