Nutrition and dietetics student with human anatomy drawn on a board in the background

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Registered Dietitian Track Online

Prepare to become a registered dietitian (RD) to help individuals, groups and communities lead healthy lives and meet nutritional needs.

Next Apply Date: 2/17/25
Next Class Start Date: 8/18/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 2/17/25
Next Class Start Date: 8/18/25

Program Overview

A quick look at our M.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics – RD

Gain advanced knowledge in this ACEND-accredited master's program in nutrition and dietetics that sets you apart in the field. You will focus on the management of nutrition support for patients in critical care, the traditional and emerging roles of health professionals as moral agents, how to be a positive leader in shaping nutrition health, education and policies at the local, state and national level, and more.

In the online nutrition and dietetics program, you will:

  • Become eligible to sit for the registration examination for dietitians
  • Conduct research in the field of nutrition
  • Address food and nutrition-related challenges for diverse populations
  • Comprehend the ethical issues facing nutrition professionals
In the online nutrition and dietetics program, you will:+
  • Become eligible to sit for the registration examination for dietitians
  • Conduct research in the field of nutrition
  • Address food and nutrition-related challenges for diverse populations
  • Comprehend the ethical issues facing nutrition professionals

Prepare for dietitian careers like these:

  • Registered Dietitian
  • Food Nutrition Services Director
  • Public Health Nutrition Services
  • Nutrition Research
Prepare for dietitian careers like these:+
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Food Nutrition Services Director
  • Public Health Nutrition Services
  • Nutrition Research
+

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of nutrition and dietetics programs in a convenient online format. Explore our Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Non-RD Track and Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics online programs.

Total Tuition: $18,020
Program Duration: As few as 24 months
Credit Hours 53

Accreditation

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

Our low tuition helps keep your degree within reach

The online registered dietitian master’s program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $18,020

Calendar

Follow these dates to apply, enroll and start classes

Our M.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics – RD is a flexible online program featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.

The RD track of the Nutrition & Dietetics program is a cohort-based program and has starts in Fall 1 and Summer 1 only. The other starts included are for pre-requisite requirements that must be completed prior to acceptance in the Nutrition & Dietetics – RD cohort.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Summer 15/27/2510/18/2410/18/244/1/255/23/256/27/25
Fall 18/18/252/17/252/17/257/1/258/15/2510/3/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 2/17/25
Start Class 8/18/25

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Apply Now

Admissions

Get ready to apply to A-state’s online Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Registered Dietitian Track

Arkansas State University has a streamlined admission process that makes it easy for you to enroll in the online graduate program in nutrition and dietetics. Enrollment specialists are available to walk you through the admission process, so you will be able to complete your application quickly.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Bachelor's degree
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA
View all admission requirements +

To be considered for admission into the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Registered Dietitian Track online program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 score across all courses taken
  • Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended
  • Completion of the additional requirements below:
    • Transcripts that reflect the following courses: lifecycle nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, nutrition assessment, food science, nutrition counseling, community nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and applied statistics
      • Note: If these undergraduate foundation courses are not reflected on your transcript(s), you will be required to take them prior to enrolling in the MS Nutrition & Dietetics program. These courses are offered through A-State Online.
    • You may qualify for early admission if you have completed a bachelor’s degree, finished all the prerequisites with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 across all courses taken.

Application Submission Requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Submit a nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Have official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • The following additional documents are required:
    • Current resume
    • Personal statement consisting of 500-1,000 words, highlighting your professional goals and the contributions you hope to make in the field of nutrition and dietetics
    • Two letters of recommendation/rating forms, which should be from former supervisors, faculty or preceptors

Additional Information

While not requires for admission, additional documents are required prior to registering for your first course*.

  • Preceptor contacts for supervised practice
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
  • CPR Certification
  • Satisfactory background check
  • Documentation of TB skin test, MMR, Flu shot, Tetanus, and Hepatitis B
  • Liability, auto and medical insurance
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics membership
  • Acknowledgement of Student Handbook and Honor Code forms
  • Acknowledgement of remediation policy

*Document submission may require a one-time fee of $100.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467

Fax: 870-972-3548


Email: [email protected]

For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:

A-State Online
c/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401

A-State ranks #6 among the "Top 10 Best Colleges in Arkansas," according to CollegeChoice.net, 2024

Courses

What you will study in our innovative online registered dietitian master’s program

To earn your M.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics – RD online, you need to complete 53 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 12 credit hours of core courses, 15 credit hours of major requirements, 9 credit hours of support courses and 17 hours of practicum courses.

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides an overview of the nation’s health care delivery system, including characteristics and challenges, with emphasis on the implications and opportunities for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), particularly related to payment structures for nutrition services.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The process of designing, conducting, interpreting and evaluating nutrition research. Emphasis given to ethical issues and application of research to practice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines methods used in nutritional epidemiological studies and reviews current knowledge related to diet and other nutritional determinants of long-term health and disease.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses the theory and mechanics of data analysis related to basic and applied research in the health professions. The course includes the use of statistical analysis using computerized programs such as SPSS. Topics range from basic descriptive statistics to inferential analysis.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines models of leadership, both historical and contemporary, and how these models can be applied in the health care setting.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced study of macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism and function in human health, especially factors that affect dietary requirements.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on the challenges of managing patients in the critical care setting, from the physiologic changes associated with metabolic stress to special needs met with nutrition support. Appropriate medical nutrition therapy in specific disease states included.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Emphasizes core concepts of clinical nutrition relevant to the nutrition care process which include pharmacology and nutrition support. Case studies and an evidence-based approach in various diseases are utilized to help students develop and apply clinical nutrition expertise.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the traditional and emerging roles of the health professional as an individual moral agent and as a moral participant in team decisions. Methods of rational moral deliberation based on ethical theories and principles will be applied to ethical dilemmas.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course is discussion driven by current issues and events related to food service operations and management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Principles of management for professionals in food service operations and/or clinical nutrition services. Topics include management roles, tools, human resources, fiscal responsibilities and emerging administrative issues.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth look at U.S. food policies and programs that affect food production, distribution, and consumption. Examines the dynamics of policy making and the influence of food companies on strategic decisions that undermine the nation’s health.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised practice in foodservice settings. These rotations provide a foundation for beginning skills necessary in the practice of dietetics.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised practice in food service settings with students applying principles of management and systems in providing services to individuals in healthcare facilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised practice in various community agencies and organizations involving application of health and wellness principles for culturally diverse groups.
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Supervised practice in acute care, long-term care, and outpatient healthcare facilities providing experiences in the application of medical nutrition therapy and the nutrition care process.
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Supervised rotations in acute care and outpatient clinical settings. Patient care management and application of the nutrition care process and medical nutrition therapy principles; includes staff relief experience near the end of the practicum.

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