Coordinated Masters in Dietetics (CMD)
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Overview
Preparation for a career in dietetics as a Registered Dietitian requires the completion of an approved 4-year college degree program, completion of an accredited supervised practice experience (providing a minimum of 1200 hours), and successful performance on the national Registration Examination for Dietitians. The Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition offers a program designed to meet both education and experiential requirements at the Masters level.
Coordinated Masters Degree program in Dietetics (CMD)
No matter your professional goals in the Dietetic profession, the CMD offers an entry level advanced degree option to provide a competitive edge for today’s healthcare environment. Completion of the program provides students with a Master of Science degree as well as the didactic and supervised practice components to meet the requirements for RD eligibility. Upon successful completion of the CMD program graduates are eligible to take the national registration examination for Dietitians.
Didactic Coursework
The program has strong academic underpinnings within SHRS which is one of the six schools of the Health Sciences at the University. The curriculum is comprised of 53 credits that include required competencies and student elective courses affording graduates a strong foundation in medical nutrition therapy. Pitt is a leading pioneer in research and has a significant influence on the Pittsburgh community. Independent Study and volunteer opportunities will open doors for you to become involved in areas of research and community development.
Supervised Practice
Supervised practice experiences are provided in a variety of major health care and community settings including the University of Pittsburgh Health Care System (UPMC) and suburban sites. You will have the opportunity to gain professional experience at one of the most renowned health care systems in the U.S, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Recently UPMC was ranked 12th on the U.S. News & World Report's Honor Roll of America’s Best Hospitals.
*The supervised practice sites are randomly assigned and public transportation is not available to all sites. All students should anticipate the necessity of having a car accessible to them for both years of the CMD program. Please read the supervised practice page for further requirements.
Interested in learning more about this program?
Chat Live with the Program Director Dr. Deborah Hutcheson on Skype the first Friday of every month from 1:30pm - 2:00pm. Just simply add PittCDN to your contacts.
Program Mission and Goals
The mission of the CMD is to prepare entry-level registered dietitians at the master’s level with increased competence and advanced skills to better meet the needs of the complex evolving health care environment of today.
The CMD program goals are:
1. To prepare registry-eligible master’s degree graduates who will have attained both the competence required of all dietitians upon entry into practice and the additional entry-level competence in the emphasis area of Nutrition Therapy (NT).
2. To educate and prepare graduates who can utilize analytical and problem solving skills in the application of attained requisite knowledge, and who can demonstrate these skills by the successful completion of required supervised practice and by successful performance in taking the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.
3. To prepare graduates who will meet the needs of consumers in Western Pennsylvania and other regions of the country for entry-level master’s prepared Registered Dietitians with additional entry-level competence in the emphasis area of nutrition therapy.
Program outcomes are available upon request.
Professional Program Tuition Reduction
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers a reduced tuition rate for out-of-state students enrolled in the Coordinated Masters Degree program. Please view this web page for details: http://www.ir.pitt.edu/tuition/pghosgrad.php. The tuition rate for academic year 2012-2013 will be posted in July.
The Pitt Freshman Guarantee
Entering freshmen may qualify for a guarantee into the Coordinated Masters Program in Dietetics (CMD). For consideration, please indicate “Dietetics” on admissions application. Qualifying students will meet the following criteria:
Complete the Undergraduate Program in dietetics (DPD) at the University of Pittsburgh with an overall GPA of 3.3 or better and fulfill all admission criteria for the CMD.
The Coordinated Masters Program in Dietetics (CMD) is accredited by the commission of Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995, 312/899-5400.
• Download the 2012-2013 Coordinated Masters in Dietetics Student Handbook
• Download the 2011-2012 Coordinated Masters in Dietetics Student Handbook