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Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

Please refer to SHRS Graduate Student Handbook for specific requirements that must be met to graduate from SHRS. In addition, for your reference, the Statute of Limitations on Allowable Coursework in the SHRS Graduate Handbook identifies the maximum amount of time allowed for completing program requirements.  

Requirements for Graduation from the Dietitian Nutritionist Program

To qualify for graduation from the Dietitian Nutritionist Program and receive a Verification Statement, students must be in good academic standing and successfully completed all courses and other degree requirements as specified in the curriculum plan for the Dietitian Nutritionist Program (Appendix B), including all the required hours, learning activities and summative competencies in didactic courses and supervised experiential learning (Appendix A).  

Degree Requirements

Graduation from the Dietitian Nutritionist Program with an BS/MS or MS only degree requires successful completion of 156 (BS/MS) or 60 (MS) credits, respectively with a grade of C or better as follows:

1. 133 (BS/MS) or 37 (MS) credits of core academic requirements

2. 23 credits of Professional Work Setting SEL.

Competency Attainment for Graduation and Receipt of a Verification Statement

All program students must pass all program required summative competencies with an 80% or higher to successfully graduate with an BS and/or MS degree(s) and receive a Verification Statement. The MS and the Verification Statement are required for eligibility for the Registered Dietitian Examination. If the student, with reasonable accommodation, is unable to meet 80% competence in all ACEND competencies, the student may graduate with an MS degree but not receive a Verification Statement for registered dietitian eligibility. 

Evaluation of the Equivalency of Prior Learning

Transfer Credit or Advanced Standing

The Dietitian Nutritionist Program may grant credit for program courses for prior learning on a case-by-case basis. Course(s) submitted for transfer cannot be more than 5-years old and must transfer as credits to the University of Pittsburgh. A maximum of 6 credits will be considered for the MS degree.  Accepted courses will meet curriculum requirements for program completion.  

Professional Work Setting Supervised Experiential learning (SEL)

The program will not grant credit for prior experience for Professional Work Setting SEL or any course providing Summative Competencies or SEL hours in a professional work setting.

Proficiency Examinations

No proficiency exams are available for program required courses.