Nutrition and Dietetics - CP

Influence the Health of Your Community

Madonna University’s Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program (NDCP) provides two pathways for students to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) working in clinical, community, athletic and corporate settings with diverse groups of clients. The program has two pathways: 

Pathway 1: Students who have undergraduate degrees in fields other than dietetics should apply for the MS Nutrition and Dietetics Program

Pathway 2: Students who have undergraduate degrees in dietetics from ACEND accredited programs and a Master's degree should apply for the Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Certificate.

Program Mission, Goals and Learning Outcomes

Mission 

The mission of the Madonna University Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program is to combine didactic and practice experiences that prepare graduates for qualified practitioner and professional leadership roles in a variety of employment settings and instill in graduates a core value of community service.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Madonna University NDCP graduates will be prepared for successful entry-level dietetics employment in a variety of settings. 

Objective 1.1: Supervised practice preceptors will rate students as competent or very competent upon completion of practice experience at least 80% of the time. 

Objective 1.2: The program’s one year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians will be at least 80% 

Objective 1.3: At least 80% of program graduates will rate satisfaction with their employment at least a 7 on a 10-point scale on the survey of program graduates. 

Goal 2: Madonna University NDCP graduates will be prepared to become leaders in the profession of dietetics.  

Objective 2.1: On the survey of program graduates, 60% of graduates will report that they have attended a professional conference related to health, nutrition, or food in the past two years.  

Objective 2.2: On the survey of program graduates, 60% of the graduates will indicate that they have served the profession of dietetics in a leadership position, as a mentor to dietetic students and/or by serving as a preceptor within 5 years of graduation.  

*Program outcomes data available upon request.

Supervised Practice Experiences (SPEs)

As part of the program, students will take 6 SPE courses where they obtain hands-on experience in settings as wide ranging as clinical sites, grocery stores and athletic locations. Students will complete 1000 hours of supervised practice experience.  Students who successfully complete the NDCP will be eligible to take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians for RDN certification.

For more information about the ACEND accreditation standards visit The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Flexible Program Structure

Students in the Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics program benefit from a combination of teaching approaches, small classes, and online instruction. This immersive hybrid format provides flexibility and increased access for those balancing busy schedules.

Review the complete Program curriculum, which includes a capstone research project.  

Career Outlook for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the dietitian and nutritionist professional field is projected to grow over the next decade, reflecting the demand in a wide variety of settings from private practice to hospitals to community centers.

Career opportunities for graduates who pursue the R.D.N. credential include:

• Clinical dietitian
• Corporate wellness dietitian
• Nutritional counselor
• Diabetes educator
• Food service manager
• Director-level roles in governmental programs
• Sports dietitian

Madonna’s Office of Career Development is dedicated to supporting you in preparing for career opportunities upon graduation.

Pathway to RDN: A Student's Journey

Admission Requirements

Applications: Applying for the Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program:

The following criteria need to be met to be considered for admission for Pathway 1:

1.  Possession of a bachelor degree from an institution-accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent), with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
2.   A cumulative overall G.P.A of 3.0 or higher from ALL colleges and universities attended.
3.  Successful completion with a grade of C or higher of the equivalent undergraduate courses:  NFS 2270 Human Nutrition, NFS 3390 Nutrition Education and Counseling,  NFS 4960 Experimental Foods and Research, NFS 4460 Management of Food and Nutrition Services, CHM 1110 General Chemistry, CHM 1610 Life Chemistry or CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry, CHM 3610 Biochemistry, BIO 2250 Human Physiology, BIO 2270 Microbiology for the Health Sciences, SOC 1010 Sociology, MTH 2350 Probability and Statistics, MGT 2360 Principles of Management. 
4. Two letters of recommendation from current employer or professional associates familiar with the applicant’s work or college performance.
5. Resume 
6. Submission of a statement of purpose or research interests related to nutrition and dietetics.
7. Interview with the Department Chair of Nutrition and Dietetics.

For admission to Pathway 2, students need to meet all criteria for Pathway 1 plus be in possession of a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited didactic program and a master's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent) with a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Find out more about Madonna University's graduate admission requirements.

See the "NDCP Student Handbook" (click on the Student Handbook button in the left hand column) for more information on how to apply to the NDCP Program. The student handbook  contains information about financial aid, estimated program costs (tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, room and board), the NDCP Prior Learning Policy and other program-specific details.

See the "NDCP Student Handbook" (click on the Student Handbook button in the left hand column) for program curriculum and sample plans of study including timelines for completion of the NDCP.

The Madonna University Academic Calendar can be found by clicking here.

Get started requesting more information or submitting your application!