What is the program cost?
The tuition rates and fees for the program vary from year to year and are dependent on entry route. In addition, there are yearly Professional Program Mandatory expenses outlined on the Financial Matters tab and in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program Handbook.
Undergraduate Entry into the Accelerated MS
Students admitted to the professional program via this route may complete the MS degree in 3 years. Students will enter Year 1 at the undergraduate tuition rate, and complete Years 2 and 3 at the graduate tuition rate.
Post Baccalaureate Entry into the MS Program
Students admitted to the professional program via this route may complete the MS degree in 3 years. Students will enter Year 1 at the undergraduate tuition rate, and complete Years 2 and 3 at the graduate tuition rate.
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Entry to the MS Program
Students admitted to the professional program via this route may complete the MS degree in 2 years. Students will complete Year 2 and 3 at the graduate tuition rate.
Are scholarships or graduate assistantships available?
Scholarships are available to all School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences students at the University of Pittsburgh. Please review the Scholarships & Funding webpage. There are also scholarship opportunities for members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. There are no graduate assistantships available for the Dietitian Nutritionist Program.
How can I gain more exposure to the field?
Entrance requirements include exposure to the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. If you are a University of Pittsburgh student, please join the Student Dietetic Association for volunteer opportunities. In addition, most opportunities are found in the community where you live or work. The profession is wide, varied and Dietitians are found in many venues. For example: volunteer at local food banks, food pantries and farmers markets. Seek Dietitians in your community that work in public health, private practice, community non-profit agencies, food markets, hospitals and outpatient clinics …, and inquire regarding the process for observation hours or meetings for exposure to the field. Volunteer your time to assist with events, filing, making handouts or any other duties that may assist practitioners and provide you insights into the profession. There are often casual or part-time positions in healthcare, food service establishments and community agencies that may be available.
Can I apply to the program while completing prerequisite courses?
You may apply to the program while completing prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to the start of the fall semester (August). The only prerequisite courses that may be taken in the first year of the program are: NUTR 1600 Introduction to the Profession of Dietetics and NUTR 1612 Food and Culture.
How are supervised experiential learning sites scheduled?
Experiential Supervised Learning sites for community/public health, clinical, food service and specialty rotations are guaranteed by the program on a yearly basis. Your experiential sites will be scheduled by faculty at the end of spring semester of program Year 2 based on matching parameters with available sites. We consider your learning needs, style and professional direction to match you with the site that best fits based on site attributes. Students cannot request a specific site nor can a student find their own site.
Who is eligible to apply to the specialty rotations?
Qualified students may apply to the offered specialty rotations in the fall semester of the second year of the program. Qualified students are students that plan to practice in that area of following graduation and who have experience exclusive to the practice specialty. The application process includes an interview with potential preceptors and faculty. Program students seeking this option should start to plan with their faculty mentor upon admission to the program.
Is a remote option to complete the program available?
The DN Program coursework is a blend of in-person, hybrid, and online courses and cannot be completed entirely online.
Am I eligible for the registered dietitian exam upon program graduation?
Students meeting all graduation and competency requirements will graduate from the Dietitian Nutritionist Program with a MS degree and Verification Statement. All graduating students will have eligibility established with the Commission on Dietetic Registration following graduation. Students will be eligible to sit for the Registered Dietitian examination generally within 2 weeks to one month following graduation.