Coordinated Masters in Dietetics (CMD)
Overview | Admissions Requirements |Curriculum
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)
This graduate curriculum 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.
Supervised Practice
Supervised practice experiences are provided in a variety of major health care and community settings including the renowned University of Pittsburgh Health Care System (UPMC) and suburban sites. 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.
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 prepare graduates who will successfully pass the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.
3. To prepare graduates who will meet the professional dietetics career interests and professional education needs of individuals in Western Pennsylvania, the State as a whole and nationally.
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 for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995, 312/899-5400.
• Download the 2011-2012 Coordinated Masters in Dietetics Student Handbook
• Download the 2010-2011 Coordinated Masters in Dietetics Student Handbook