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Home College of Health Sciences Graduate Clinical Nutrition MS

M.S. Degree

The Master’s Degree/Dietetic Internship and Residency:

  • encompasses 39 hours of study over 16 months in clinical and cellular nutrition, behavioral sciences, management, research, and culminates with a residency and defense of a thesis or project (optional).
  • provides a clinical nutrition-centered program for those having a B.S. in Dietetics or a B.S. in another discipline and completion of a DPD.
  • has a mission, program goals and outcome measures used to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness.
  • Degree Sheet

Mission Statement

Consistent with the missions of our university, college and unit, the mission of the Dietetic Internship and Residency program is to prepare graduates to be able to work as entry-level dietitians by providing excellent education, research and practice experiences.

Program Goals and Outcome Measures

Goal 1

To provide an educational experience that gives graduates both the practical and didactic knowledge and skill to practice as an entry level RD.

Outcome Measures

  • At least 85% of our students will successfully complete the program within 16 months.  95% of our students will complete the program within 24 months.
  • Of the graduates who intend to work as an RD, at least 75% will successfully complete the RD exam within six months of graduation and 100% will successfully complete the RD exam within one year of graduation.
  • At least 80% of our graduates will successfully pass the RD exam on their first attempt.

Goal 2

To provide a course of study that gives graduates the skills and knowledge to incorporate scientific information into their future practice.

Outcome Measures

  • At least 90% of the first post-graduate employers of our graduates will report at least a 4 (out of a possible 5) when asked about the ability of our graduates to incorporate scientific knowledge and evidence into their practice.
  • When surveyed at one year post-graduation, at least 85% of the DI graduates will report at least a 3 (out of a possible 4) on their program preparation to incorporate scientific knowledge and evidence into their practice.

Goal 3

To develop within our graduates, the skills and motivation to pursue lifelong professional learning.

Outcome Measures

  • When surveyed at one year post-graduation, at least 85% of the DI graduates will report active RD status and active AND membership.
  • When surveyed at one year post-graduation, at least 50% of the DI graduates will report membership in at least one DPG.

Data demonstrating our program outcomes are available on request from the program director.

Accreditation Status

The Dietetic Internship at the University of Memphis is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-0040 X5400.

Completed Classwork


Typical Four-Year Sequence

Note: In cases of students who already have completed a dietetic internship, course substitutions for Clinical Practice Courses can be made to enable practitioners to pursue advanced specialty interests.
Curriculum Course Sequence:

Semester One-Fall

NUTR 7412 Cellular Nutrition I
NUTR 7405 Pharmacology for Nutrition Professionals
NUTR 7205 Nutrition in Acute and Chronic Illness I
HMSE 7010 Research Methods

Semester Two- Spring

NUTR 7422 Cellular Nutrition II
NUTR 7305 Nutrition in Acute and Chronic Illness II
HPRO 7780 Seminar in Counseling
NUTR 7522 Clinical Nutrition and Food Service Management

Semester Three- Summer

NUTR 7415 Professional Issues in Nutrition
NUTR 7481 Clinical Internship in Nutrition

Semester Four- Fall

NUTR 7481 Clinical Internship in Nutrition
NUTR 7482 Residency
EDPR 7541 Statistical Methods
HMSE 7996 Thesis (optional)
OR
HPRO 7950 Masters Project (optional)

Note: EDPR 7541 can be taken in the summer or the second fall.  Registered Dietitians who wish to complete the master's portion of the program will be given 12 credit hours for their internship if the hours have been while practicing as an RD.  Please contact Tracy Bruen regarding admission.