FAQ Coordinated Master's Program in Dietetics

Nutrition studies the metabolic aspects of how organisms utilize food. Nutrition also refers to the process of providing or obtaining the right amount of nutrients from food for health and growth.

Dietetics focuses on the interaction between nutrition and health, and the application of food and nutrition strategies to promote health; prevent disease and minimize disability. Therefore, Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians design and prescribe "nutrition therapies" to help the body utilize the appropriate nutrients to protect against disease and maintain and promote health.

The goal of the M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics: Through completion of the coursework and supervised practice, graduates will be prepared to take the Dietitian Registration Exam. A Registered Dietitian works community health, clinical care, and health promotion or to continue research in Nutrition and Dietetics related areas by focusing upon the physiological, social science, and community principles.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) announced that Registered Dietitians (RD) now have the option to use "Registered Dietitian Nutritionist", or RDN, as their credential in 2013. RD or RDN is a professional credential used by individuals who have completed the following steps according to Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR):

Step 1: met current minimum academic requirements as approved by ACEND and completed the minimum of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent (before 2024); completed a Master degree after January 1, 2024

Step 2: completed a supervised practice program accredited ACEND

Step 3: successfully pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians

Step 4: maintain the registration with CDR and comply with the Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) recertification requirements

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) has prepared a video describing the work of a RD or RDN. Please visit eatright.org to watch the video: "What a RDN can do for you". 

Students need to start the freshmen year in the Dietetics courses to complete the undergraduate program within four years. Students are highly encouraged to keep up with the high academic requirements and for acceptance into the MS program. An overall GPA of 3.0 is required to apply for the Coordinated Master’s Program in Dietetics.

Students will apply for the Coordinated Master’s Program in Dietetics in the fourth semester, which is the spring semester of their sophomore year. To qualify for acceptance into coordinated program, a student must first meet with the Academic Advisor to discuss his/her intentions to declare to continue with this program.

Application to the program consists of five components:

• Completion of meeting with the Academic Advisor prior to the application
• Submission of a resume, unofficial transcripts of the coursework completed in the first 3 semesters (over all GPA of 3.0 required, and the written Self-Assessment application form by February 15th.
• Completion of an interview with the Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Maureen Reidenauer, RDN and the CPD Application Committee by April 1.

Yes! Transfer students may apply to the Coordinated Master’s Program and go through the same application process after they have completed the course work required of freshman and sophomore  years. Please contact the academic advisor to evaluate your course work. Please be aware that the first priority of the limited spots in the program go to the students completing the Coordinated Master’s Program in Dietetics at Rowan.

The Coordinated Master’s Program in Dietetics is a competitive program to which students must apply and be accepted to complete the Coordinated Master’s Program. The class size is limited to an annual enrollment of 17 students.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to become a Registered Dietitian, particularly the fulfillment of the 1,000-hour internship at a nationally approved site. To ensure that we are able to place all of the students accepted into the Coordinated Master’s Program in Dietetics in an approved internship, it is necessary to limit the number of students in this program.

You may apply again and your application will be considered, but most of the 17 slots will be given to the current sophomores who are applying. You should also be aware that your graduation might be delayed if you are accepted into the program later than your sophomore year.

The Faculty Program Director is Dr. Maureen Reidenauer, RDN, reidenauer@rowan.edu, and the academic advisor for this program is Mrs. Laurie Dwyer, dwyer@rowan.edu. She will assist you in planning your course schedule.