Master of Science in Nutrition / Didactic Program in Dietetics

The master's didactic program in dietetics (MSN/DPD) is designed to fulfill the academic and competency requirements for registered dietitian eligibility. The program allows students to complete a didactic program while pursuing a master's in nutrition.
Length of Program: 2 years, full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington

Program Overview

There are many ways to turn your passion for food and nutrition into a fulfilling profession. Through a hands-on curriculum and holistic education, Bastyr’s Master of Science in Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics (MSN/DPD) gives you the training you need to feel confident in pursuing a successful career in nutrition.

Career Opportunities

This degree program prepares students to be eligible to apply for ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs. The successful completion of a supervised practice program, in turn, supports eligibility to sit for the registration examination for dietitians.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in a vast number of clinical settings such as private practice, hospitals, eating disorder treatment centers, rehabilitation and addiction centers, and more.
Public health programs and administration
Corporate wellness
Food and nutrition consulting and writing
Future academic career in a university, administrative, government or public health setting
Research in a clinical or laboratory environment

See examples of how our graduates use their nutrition degrees.

Clinical Sites

The Bastyr Center for Natural Health is the University’s primary teaching clinic and the largest natural health clinic in the Pacific Northwest, serving 35,000 patients annually. The clinic’s natural, non-invasive approach takes into account the whole person to resolve chronic health problems and support a healthy lifestyle that helps prevent illness.

This allows students to put scientific theories into practice through supervised clinical training. It’s a real-world experience in preparation to become a registered dietitian, with guidance from experienced whole-food dietitians on Bastyr's faculty.

Campus Location - Seattle, WA

Seattle, Washington Campus

Set in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Bastyr’s expansive Seattle-area campus provides a serene, natural environment for students to deepen their health education. Our campus is located in the Seattle suburb of Kenmore, Washington, and encompasses 51 acres along the shore of Lake Washington.

At our Seattle-area campus, you’ll enjoy dynamic classroom environments and unique facilities for research, laboratory and clinical experiences. Our campus location also affords you easy access to the rich cultural experiences of the Seattle metropolitan area and unlimited exposure to the natural wonders of the Puget Sound region.

General Requirements

Length of Program

2 years, full-time

Patient Contacts/Training Hours

To graduate, you must complete 92 hours of clinical training at Bastyr Center.

In addition to clinical training, you also must complete a total of 300 hours of paid work or volunteer experience in clinical nutrition, food service management and community nutrition.

Insurance

Bastyr University malpractice insurance is in effect for MSN/DPD students (at no cost to students) during the course of their program.

Additional Costs

For food production-related courses, students may be required to purchase a lab apron ($20) and a chef knife ($50), which are available in the university bookstore.

Prior to beginning clinical training (i.e., Clinical Nutrition Practicum 1 & 2), students are required to complete the following.

Criminal background check: $70
Tuberculosis (TB) testing: $10-$120
Hepatitis B immunization: $150-350 for entire series, or submit a waiver
CPR certification: $60 for students

The following costs are associated with applying for supervised practice programs/dietetic internships.

DICAS fees: $45 for first program and $20 for each additional program
DnD Digital computer matching fee: $55
Application fees for dietetic internships: $75-$125 per program

Tuition and Financial Aid

Speak to an advisor today to learn more about tuition costs or to find out about our financial aid programs!

Curriculum

Graduates of Bastyr’s MSN/DPD program are equipped with an in-depth knowledge of the physical, behavioral, cultural, ecological, legislative, community and clinical aspects of human nutrition. The curriculum work focuses on four primary areas: nutrition, foods, basic sciences and counseling skills. Reference our curriculum table for the number of credits per course, lecture hours each week and lab/clinic hours each week.

Bastyr's Master of Science in Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics program prepares students to successfully navigate the path toward their RDN or nutrition-focused profession. Expected learning outcomes of graduates can be found in the course catalog.

Contact an advisor to learn more about the Master of Science in Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics.

Prerequisites

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
Minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate degree required to be considered for admission.

Reference our curriculum table for full prerequisites. To learn which classes fulfill these prerequisites, use our course equivalency guide.

A full course outline can be found in the Master of Science in Nutrition/Didactic Program in Dietetics program description of the Academic Catalog.

Accreditation Status

The Master of Science in Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (MSN/DPD) at Bastyr University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400, email: acend@eatright.org website: www.eatright.org/acend a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Bastyr University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

RDN Requirements

In addition to successful completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) a student must accomplish the following:

Obtain a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college.
Receive a verification statement of coursework completion from an ACEND-accredited program (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics), which is required for admission to ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs/dietetic internships.
- Information on ACEND-accredited programs (e.g., didactic, coordinated, and dietetic internships) can be found at the following web-site: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/about-accredited-programs
Apply for a supervised practice program/dietetic internship through an online platform called the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS). More information about DICAS and preparing the online application can be found at https://portal.dicas.org.
Register for the computer matching process through DnD Digital (http://www.dnddigital.com/ada/), which facilitates a computerized method that provides a systematic and unbiased way to match the preferences of applicants for supervised practice programs/dietetic internships with the preferences of directors of these programs.
- Further explanation of the DICAS application and computer matching process can be found at the following web-site: Dietetic Internship Computer-Based Match for students at https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students
Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, i.e., a dietetic internship and receive a verification statement of completion.
Successfully pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists.

To practice as an RDN, one must also obtain state-specific certification or licensure, as applicable. Additional information regarding state licensing agencies and requirements can be found at: https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/legislation/all-legislation/licensure. Potential applicants should also be aware that effective in 2024, a master’s degree will be required to take the credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists. For more information regarding careers in the field of dietetics, visit www.eatright.org