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    • Top 35 Registered Dietitian Schools

    According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), as of January 2023, there are 110,497 credentialed Registered Dietitians (RD) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) working nationwide. Becoming a Registered Dietitian (link to page) is an admirable ambition. It requires much dedication, commitment, and drive to succeed. Registered Dietitians are found in many environments, such as health care centers, outpatient clinics, long-term care centers, sports centers, and more. Once you have earned your Registered Dietitian credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), you will need to fulfill the requirements of the state(s) in which you wish to work regarding licensure and/or certification.

    It all starts, however, with selecting the right Registered Dietitian school.  Getting a solid educational foundation is the key to succeeding as a Registered Dietitian. With the right education, you can go on to work in many different settings, or to obtain even more education, becoming board-certified in a variety of areas such as obesity and weight management, pediatric critical care, oncology nutrition, and renal nutrition. 

    The 35 programs listed here are among the top Registered Dietitian programs in the country. They are accredited, offer the necessary degree(s), and provide students with flexibility in how they study. Whether classes are offered online, in-person or via a hybrid mix of the two, the programs below each stand out among the rest of the Registered Dietitian programs in the United States, for various reasons.

    How We Ranked the Top 35 Registered Dietitian Schools

    In choosing a school where you plan to study to be a Registered Dietitian, you want to know that you are selecting from among the best programs offered. Our list has pre-selected the top 35 Registered Dietitian schools for you, based on a variety of factors. 

    Accreditation

    All of the schools listed below are accredited by ACEND, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). In addition, schools listed below are accredited by at least one regional accrediting body, such as:

    • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
    • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
    • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

    Offering Master’s Degrees 

    The schools listed below all host Registered Dietitian programs that culminate in a minimum of a master’s degree. This is important because, as of January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is mandating that all Registered Dietitians nationwide have at least a master’s degree (the requirement up until then was to possess a bachelor’s degree). We have pre-selected the schools with master’s degree programs for you so that you don’t waste your time looking at schools that do not offer this required degree.

    Includes Experiential Practice

    The CDR requires that you complete at least 1000 hours of supervised experiential practice in dietetics. The programs that we have chosen for this list all offer not only coursework in dietetics, but also the required supervised experience you need in order to be eligible to take the CDR’s RD examination at the conclusion of your program.

    Flexibility

    Many of the programs below offer flexible terms for students – that is, classes may be offered online, on-campus, or in a hybrid fashion (mixing online and on-campus courses). Today’s technologically-savvy students are used to computers being a part of their day-to-day lives, and many prefer online classes over in-person classes for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, work and family commitments. Flexibility is vital to the success of college programs.

    The top 35 Registered Dietitian schools listed below have been listed alphabetically by state, just to make them easier to find. They are not, however, ranked in any particular order. You will find that some states offer more than one of the Top 35 Registered Dietitian programs, while other states house none of these recommended programs. Here are the Top 35 Registered Dietitian Programs as of 2024. 

    Alaska

    UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE, College of Health, School of Allied Health, Anchorage, AK

    The MS in Dietetics and Nutrition program at UA Anchorage consists of an online program for classes, and in-person program for 16-20 hours per week of supervised learning experiences, which are based in Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK only. The program takes 24 months to complete full-time. A bachelor’s degree, including verification of completion of a DPD or of prerequisite courses, is necessary for admission. Graduates will be prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    Arizona

    NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, School of Health Sciences, Flagstaff, AZ

    Northern Arizona’s MPH in Nutrition program is a 24-month residential program consisting of 30 credits, integrating didactic coursework with experiential learning. Students with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition/dietetics and verification statement may apply. Students with a bachelor’s degree in any other subject may also apply, as long as they complete required prerequisites of statistics, chemistry (general and organic), anatomy and physiology, microbiology, introductory nutrition, and food safety and sanitation. Graduates will be prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam. 

    Arkansas

    HARDING UNIVERSITY, College of Sciences, Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, Searcy, AR

    Both the MS and the BS-MS in Applied Dietetics Practice at Harding University are newly-accredited by ACEND. The accelerated BS-MS program gives students the opportunity to earn both degrees in five years. It consists of 147 credit hours and 1106 hours of supervised experiential learning. The MS program, which contains 52 credit hours and 1106 supervised experience hours, offers students the didactic courses online, while the supervised experiential learning portion of the program is remote, and may be completed wherever the student is located. Graduates from both programs are prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    California

    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY, College of Natural Resources, School of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, Berkeley, CA

    UC Berkeley’s MNSD program is a newer one, with all courses held in person, on-campus, and with supervised practice occurring within the San Francisco Bay area. Graduates of any bachelor’s degree program may apply as long as they complete prerequisite courses. This full-time program can be completed in 21 months.

    UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC, School of Health Sciences, Sacramento, CA

    University of the Pacific’s MS in Clinical Nutrition combines didactic coursework with 1110 hours of supervised practice in a 16-month, full-time program. Graduates will be ready to take the CDR’s RD exam. The program combines in-person and hybrid online courses, and has clinical sites throughout California for supervised experiential learning. Students with a bachelor’s degree in any subject may apply. 

    Colorado

    UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT COLORADO SPRINGS/PENROSE-ST.FRANCIS HEALTH SERVICES PARTNERSHIP, Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dept of Human Physiology and Nutrition, Colorado Springs, CO

    The UCCS MS in Nutrition and Dietetics integrates coursework with supervised experiential learning, enabling graduates to take the CDR’s RD exam. The program is designed to be completed in two years in a full-time manner. Students with a bachelor’s degree in any field and who have completed prerequisites are invited to apply.

    Connecticut

    UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Storrs, CT

    UConn’s BS in Dietetics to MS in Health Promotion Sciences is an accelerated, coordinated five-year program in which you earn an undergraduate and a graduate degree. The program fulfills all of ACEND’s requirements to sit for the CDR RD exam upon graduation. It includes 1200 hours of supervised practice training. Prerequisites including chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, nutrition and human development must be completed by the beginning of your junior year. 

    Georgia

    GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, Atlanta, GA

    Students entering GSU’s MS in Health Sciences-Nutrition program may have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or in another field. Didactic coursework and a supervised experiential practice with an urban health emphasis are combined in this coordinated program. The program can be completed in four to six semesters if attending full-time and 7 to 11 semesters part-time. At the conclusion of the program, graduates will be prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    Idaho

    UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Margaret Richie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Moscow, ID

    This program includes coursework and supervised experiential learning within the Moscow, Coeur d’Alene or Boise communities. It consists of 56 credits and 1000 hours of supervised experience. A bachelor’s degree and prerequisites in the sciences, math and nutrition are required prior to admission. Graduates will be prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    Illinois

    BRADLEY UNIVERSITY, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Peoria, IL

    Bradley’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetics combines classroom and 1000 hours of experiential learning so that graduates are prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam. You may enter the program as a Bradley undergraduate student in your junior year and complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years, or be admitted to the program with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and DPD verification, or be admitted to the program with a bachelor’s degree in another field and completion of prerequisites. The straight MS program can be finished in two years, full-time.

    SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE, School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, Department of Applied Health, Edwardsville, IL

    A concentration in Sports Nutrition is available in SIUE’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetics program. This is a coordinated program providing coursework and 1000 hours of supervised practice. Students who have a bachelor’s degree and have completed prerequisites in science, nutrition, math and humanities are eligible for admission to this program. Graduates will be ready to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, School of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Chicago, IL

    UIC’s MS in Nutrition combines coursework with supervised practice, enabling graduates to sit for the CDR’s RD exam. The program must be taken full-time, and can be completed in two and a half to three years. Applicants to the program may have a bachelor’s degree in any field of study and must complete prerequisite courses in science, English, math and nutrition.

    Indiana

    UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS, Fort Wayne, IN

    USF’s BS in Nutrition to Master of Healthcare Administration allows students to finish a BS and MS in five years. This coordinated program in dietetics includes 123 undergraduate credit hours, 36 graduate credit hours, and 1200 hours of practical experience. Graduates will be prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    Iowa

    UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, College of Health Science, Iowa City

    • Master of Clinical Nutrition
    • Accredited by ACEND and HLC
    • GRE is required for admission – must score in 25th percentile or better on each section, and test must have been taken in last 10 years
    • Contact: Laurie Kroymann at (319) 356-1240 or [email protected] 

    University of Iowa’s MCN program is an on-campus, 20-month, non-thesis graduate program that includes supervised experiential learning. You must have a bachelor’s degree and complete prerequisites (including courses in biological sciences, chemical sciences, statistical sciences, and nutrition courses) in order to be admitted to this program. Applicants must also have health care or food service work experience to be considered for admission. Graduates will be ready to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    Maryland

    HOOD COLLEGE, Graduate School, Frederick, MD

    Hood College’s MS in NS Dietetics Track combines coursework with a clinical practicum, enabling graduates to take the CDR’s RD exam. The program, which is only offered full-time, consists of 42 credits and can be completed in two years. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field and who have completed prerequisites may apply.

    JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, MD

    JHU’s MSPH in IH-Human Nutrition-Dietitian program is an on-campus, full-time program that can be completed in 19 months. It combines 64 academic coursework credits with 32 credits of a 38-week dietetic practicum at sites throughout the Baltimore-Washington, DC area. A bachelor’s degree and completion of prerequisite courses is necessary for admission to the program.  Graduates may sit for the CDR’s RD exam.

    Massachusetts

    MERRIMACK COLLEGE, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, North Andover, MA

    Merrimack College’s MS in Nutrition and Human Performance program combines classroom learning and 1000 hours of experiential practice, enabling graduates to take the CDR RD exam. The on-campus, full-time, 56 credit program specializes in human performance and sport nutrition. A bachelor’s degree in any field with completed prerequisites is necessary for entrance into this program.  

    Michigan

    GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, School of Interdisciplinary Health, College of Health Professions, Grand Rapids, MI

    Grand Valley’s MS in Clinical Dietetics is a full-time, five-semester program consisting of 52 to 55 credits and 1200 hours of supervised practice. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the CDR’s RD exam. A bachelor’s degree in any field and completed prerequisites are required for admission to the program. 

    New York

    HUNTER COLLEGE, City University of New York, School of Urban Public Health, Department of Nutrition, New York, NY 

    Hunter College’s IPND consists of 53 credits and 1050 supervised experiential learning hours. The degree program may be completed in two or three years. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree in any field and complete 34 credits of prerequisites in the sciences, nutrition, and statistics. Graduates will be prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    PACE UNIVERSITY, College of Health Professions, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Westchester, NY

    This two-year, full-time coordinated master’s program in dietetics contains both didactic coursework and supervised practice, enabling graduates to take the CDR’s RD exam. Supervised practice sites are available throughout the tri-state area. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any field and complete prerequisites (including courses in statistics, sciences, and English) prior to admission.

    TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Department of Nutrition, New York, NY 

    The integrated MS in Nutrition RDN program at Teachers College, Columbia University combines 50 to 57 graduate credit hours including didactic courses and experiential learning blended together. Graduates are prepared to take the CDR’s RD exam. The program can be completed in two years if attending full-time.

    UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, School of Public Health and Health Professions, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Buffalo, NY

    In order to enroll in the University of Buffalo’s MS in Clinical Nutrition program, you must have completed a DPD bachelor’s degree program or a bachelor’s degree in any field and have completed prerequisites. The program combines coursework with 1000 hours of experiential learning, enabling graduates to sit for the CDR’s RD examination.

    North Carolina

    UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Nutrition, Chapel Hill, NC

    Just started in 2019, UNC’S MPH in Nutrition with a Nutrition and Dietetics concentration is a 24-month program that includes 42 credit hours and 1000 hours of experiential learning, rendering graduates ready to take the CDR’s RD exam.  Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, which can be in any field as long as they complete prerequisites such as biochemistry, human nutrition, chemistry and more. 

    Ohio

    UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY, Cincinnati, OH

    This new, innovative program offers students online coursework and in-person experiential learning. Coursework totals 47 credits, and supervised experiential learning occurs at remote, student-identified sites. Admission to the program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field, as long as prerequisites of an undergraduate chemistry course and nutrition course are completed. Graduates of this program will be ready to take the CDR’s RD exam.

    Pennsylvania

    DREXEL UNIVERSITY, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Philadelphia, PA

    Drexel’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetics includes didactic coursework and experiential learning, enabling graduates to take the CDR’s RD exam. The program is offered on a full-time basis only. All courses are taught on-campus, and supervised practice takes place in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. A research thesis is optional. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree who have completed prerequisites are invited to apply.

    THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, World Campus, University Park, PA

    Penn State’s MPS in Nutritional Sciences program offers students the flexibility to study online and in-person. In order to be eligible to take the CDR’s RD exam, you must complete the program’s Experiential Track, offering both in-residence and distance location options for supervised experiential learning over three semesters. For admission to this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, animal sciences, food science, dietetics or a related biomedical/health discipline. 

    THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY, College of Health Professions, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Philadelphia, PA

    TJU’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetic Practice is a 22-month, on-campus program that combines coursework and experiential learning, enabling graduates to sit for the CDR’s RD exam. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field who have completed prerequisite coursework (including statistics, science courses, nutrition courses, psychology or sociology) may apply.

    South Dakota

    SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, School of Health and Consumer Sciences, Brookings, SD

    SDSU’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetics is actually an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree program that includes supervised experiential learning, rendering graduates able to take the CDR’s RD exam. Students enter the program having completed at least 58 credits of required pre- and co-requisite courses. By the end of the fourth semester, students will have earned 120 undergraduate credits and will earn 39 graduate credits after completing the MS program. Completion of the BS to MS program takes five years.

    Tennessee

    UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CHATTANOOGA, School of Health, Education and Professional Studies, Department of Health and Human Performance, Chattanooga, TN

    This on-campus program combines coursework and experiential learning, enabling graduates to sit for the CDR’s RD exam. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree and have completed perquisites including nutrition, chemistry and science courses. At least 1000 hours of supervised experiential learning is included in this program.

    UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Department of Nutrition, Knoxville, TN

    This program is actually a BS to MS program, as students entering UTK’s MS program must be undergraduates in the school’s nutrition and dietetics program. The total program time for BS to MS in five years. This program includes supervised practice hours, enabling graduates to take the CDR’s RD exam. 

    Texas

    UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Graduate College, Division of Research, Brownsville, TX

    UTRGV’s MS in Dietetics program combines didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning, rendering graduates able to take the CDR’s RD exam. Applicants may have a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from UTRGV, a bachelor’s degree from a DPD program, or a bachelor’s degree in any field with completion of prerequisites. The 47-credit-hour program can be completed in two years. 

    Vermont

    THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Burlington, VT

    UV’s MS in Dietetics is a coordinated program consisting of 30 graduate credit hours and a 1000 hour supervised practice experience, completed in two years. Completing this program means that graduates are eligible to take the CDR’s RD exam. Coursework is completed online, and supervised practice may be completed in Vermont or in locations across the United States. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and DPD verification statement, or a bachelor’s degree and completion of necessary prerequisites, as well as a ServSafe certification.

    Virginia

    VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Blacksburg, VA

    Virginia Tech’s program integrates coursework and experiential learning, rendering graduates able to take the CDR’s RD exam. Two tracks are available: one for students who have a bachelor’s degree and have completed prerequisite courses, and one for current undergraduate dietetics students at Virginia Tech who want to apply for an accelerated BS to MS degree. The program can be completed in 17 (track 1) to 20 (track 2) months.

    Washington

    WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Spokane, WA

    WSU’s MS CPD program is a coordinated program combining didactic coursework and clinical experiential rotations, to fulfill CDR’s requirements to sit for the RD exam. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or physiology; or a bachelor of science in human nutrition/dietetics; or a bachelor of science in nutrition and exercise physiology from WSU. 

    Wisconsin

    MOUNT MARY UNIVERSITY, Milwaukee, WI

    Mount Mary University’s BS to MS program is an accelerated program that takes five years to complete. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the CDR’s RD exam, as this coordinated program combines coursework with supervised experiential learning. Students may enter as high school graduates, or with a non-nutrition bachelor’s degree and completed prerequisites, or with a dietetic or nutrition science bachelor’s degree.