Program Menu
At a Glance
Prepare to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) through Pitt’s Dietitian Nutritionist Program deemed a Future Education Graduate Model among similar accredited programs. Gain valuable knowledge about medical nutrition therapy, nutrient metabolism, public policy and health. Your didactic training will be reinforced with more than 1,000 hours of hands-on supervised experiential learning. Personalize each experience through a variety of unique specialty rotations.
Application
Start Term
Fall term (August)
Application Opens
Accelerated MS
October 6, 2025
Post-Baccalaureate
September 15, 2025
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Graduate
September 15, 2025
Application Closes
Accelerated MS
March 1, 2026
Post-Baccalaureate
March 1, 2026
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Graduate
February 1, 2026
Commitment
and Credits
Duration
Accelerated MS Entry Point and Post-Baccalaureate Entry Points
3 years (6 terms)
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Graduate
2 years (4 terms)
Commitment
Credits
Varies on entry point: 33-70
Degree
Type of Degree
Graduates of this program are eligible to take the national registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in the U.S.
Accelerated MS
Students earn a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science. Students earn the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science at the end of year two and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at the end of year three.
DPD Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Entry Points
Students earn a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Format(s)
Applied Skills
Dietitian Nutritionist students will complete Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) throughout the program with the majority completed in the final two semesters. With over 1,000 hours of hands-on experience, students will complete them under the direction of the clinical and community public health coordinators, clinical instructors and assigned preceptors. Program coordinators ensure implementation of the program’s SEL curriculum and achievement of ACEND competencies. There are guaranteed rotations and specialty rotations that students can apply for; rotation positions vary each year.
Estimated
Program
Costs
Each entry point has a unique breakdown between undergraduate and graduate tuition estimates per semester.
Certification
and Licensure
Upon successful completion of the Dietitian Nutritionist Program graduates are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national registration examination for dietitians. Graduates passing the registration exam are eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania by the Board of Nursing. For licensing information please visit instructions for Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN) Applicants.
The credentialing exam requirements are set by the CDR.
Accreditation
The Dietitian Nutritionist Program is accredited by the commission of Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995, 312/899-5400. https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
