Program Overview
A Quick Look at our 100% Online Master's Degree Nutrition Dietetics
As an in-demand, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics-educated nutritionist, you will have the opportunity to educate and lead in hospitals, senior retirement centers, school systems, sports and wellness facilities, health departments, food service management and more.



Gain advanced knowledge in this ACEND-accredited master's program in nutrition and dietetics that sets you apart in the field. Help individuals, groups and communities lead healthy lives and meet nutritional needs by focusing on the management of nutritional 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.
The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics online program offers two exciting tracks: Registered Dietitian, which builds on a bachelor's degree in nutrition from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program and 1,000 supervised practice hours, and prepares you to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration's registered dietitian (RD) exam, and a Transitional track for practicing RDs who need/want a graduate degree, those who are new to the field, those who are completing a stand-alone dietetic internship, or those who did not attend an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program and not seeking RD certification.
In the online nutrition and dietetics program, you will:
- Become eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians (RD track)*
- 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 careers like these:
- Registered Dietitian (RD track)*
- Food Nutrition Services Director
- Public Health Nutrition Services
- Nutrition Research
Projected Job Growth
According to Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in nutrition and dietetics are projected to grow 14% nationally through 2031.
* The RD track is only for those who have earned an ACEND-accredited undergraduate degree and have completed 1,000 supervised practice hours.
Also available:

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (RD Track) at Arkansas State University is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400. eatrightpro.org/ACEND.
Tuition
Our Low Tuition Helps Keep your Degree within Reach
The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.


Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
$300.00 | $40.00 | $340.00 | $900.00 | $120.00 | $1020.00 |
Calendar
Follow These Dates to Apply, Enroll and Start Classes
Our M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics is a flexible online program featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:


Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer 2023 | 5 wk | 05/30/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 05/15/2023 | 05/19/2023 | 05/25/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 06/19/2023 |
5 wk | 07/03/2023 | 08/04/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/29/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 07/21/2023 | |
Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/07/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
7 wk | 10/16/2023 | 12/08/2023 | 10/02/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 10/12/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 11/17/2023 | |
Spring 2024 | 7 wk | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 12/15/2023 | 12/19/2023 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 02/09/2024 |
7 wk | 03/04/2024 | 04/26/2024 | 02/19/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/01/2024 | 04/05/2024 | |
Summer 2024 | 5 wk | 05/28/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 05/14/2024 | 05/17/2024 | 05/23/2024 | 05/24/2024 | 06/14/2024 |
5 wk | 07/02/2024 | 08/01/2024 | 06/18/2024 | 06/21/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 06/28/2024 | 07/26/2024 |
Get Ready to Apply to A-State's Online Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics
Arkansas State University has a streamlined admission process that makes it easy for you to enroll in the M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics online program. Enrollment specialists are available to walk you through the admission process, so you will be able to complete your application quickly.
To be granted admission into the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program, you must meet the following criteria:
Transitional Track
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline
- Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale or a 2.75GPA in the last 60 hours. Note that if you are accepted with a GPA lower than 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours or a cumulative 2.50 GPA, you will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9 hours taken in the program
- Successful completion of Basic Nutrition and Statistics courses with a B or better
- Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended
Registered Dietitian (RD) Track
- ACEND-accredited bachelor's degree in dietetics with 1,000 supervised practice hours in the field
- Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours
- Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended
- Complete online application.
- If you have an undergraduate degree from an ACEND-accredited institution, completed 1,000 supervised practice hours and intend to take the RD exam, please select Nutrition ‐ Dietetics (MS) as the Planned Course of Study. If you do not have those qualifications, then you will apply for the Nutrition & Dietetics — Transitional (MS) as the Planned Course of Study.
- 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
-
If applying for the Registered Dietitian (RD) track (Nutrition & Dietetics (MS) Planned Course of Study), 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
- Three letters of recommendation/rating forms, which should be from former supervisors, faculty, or preceptors
Additional Information
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
What you will Study in our Innovative Online M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition Courses
To earn your Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, you need to complete 36 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 12 credit hours of core courses, 15 credit hours of major requirements and nine credit hours of support courses.
NS 6123: Health Care Delivery in the U.S.
Duration: 7 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.
NS 6303: Nutrition and Dietetics Research
Duration: 7 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.
NS 6313: Nutritional Epidemiology
Duration: 7 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.
HP 6033: Data Analysis in Health Professions
Duration: 7 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.
NURS 5113: Leadership in Health Professions
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines models of leadership, both historical and contemporary, and how these models can be applied in the healthcare setting.
NS 6243: Metabolic Nutrition
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Advanced study of macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism and function in human health, especially factors that affect dietary requirements.
NS 6253: Nutrition in Critical Illness
Duration: 7 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.
NS 6263: Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
Duration: 7 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.
NURS 6843: Ethics of Health Care
Duration: 7 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.
NS 6003: Topics in Food Service
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Course is discussion driven by current issues and events related to food service operations and management.
NS 6013: Management of Nutrition Services
Duration: 7 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.
NS 6113: Food and Nutrition Public Policy
Duration: 7 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.