Clinical Nutrition, MS Coordinated Program

Keiser University’s Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Coordinated Program (MSCN-CP) combines clinical evaluation, community concerns, and food service management into a profession long valued for its service to individuals and the community at large and focused on optimal nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. The MSCN-CP is unique since the didactic instruction is integrated with the supervised practice.

Students will enter the accredited program at one entry point which is admission to the MSCN-CP at one of the four campuses to include Lakeland, Melbourne, Pembroke Pines, and Port St. Lucie. Students complete the admission process under the direction of Admission Counselors. The program director/program coordinator is notified when new students enroll and will start academic advising and GPA monitoring immediately.

The Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition – Coordinated Program at the Lakeland, Melbourne, Pembroke Pines, and Port Saint Lucie campuses is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, USA, 800-877-1600 ext. 5400, https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

Please Note: Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree for individuals to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR will continue to require that students complete didactic coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited MSCN Coordinated Program in Dietetics and Nutrition program at Keiser University are eligible to take the credentialing exam for RDNs upon completion of the program.

Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Coordinated Program is to provide a comprehensive graduate program, inclusive of a high-quality didactic curriculum and supervised practice, preparing graduates for entry-level practice as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in a diverse environment demonstrating professionalism, leadership, and a commitment to service community needs.

Program Goals

Program Goal 1
Prepare a diverse population of graduates for successful careers as Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in a variety of settings.

Program Goal 2
Graduates will be committed to professionalism, leadership, and service to the community while working as Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

Program Objectives

• At least 80% of program students complete program requirements within FOUR years (150% of the program length).
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to a survey will rate their satisfaction with their preparation for professional practice as good, very good, or excellent.
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to a survey will rate their satisfaction with their preparation for professional practice as good, very good, or excellent.
• At least 80% of employers who participate in a phone interview will rate the graduate’s professional knowledge and skills as good, very good, or excellent.
• At least 25% of graduates who respond to a survey will indicate that they are participating in leadership roles or community service or volunteer work with diverse populations.

Program Outcomes are available upon request.

Prerequisites for Major Courses

Students are required to complete the required General Education courses with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to begin the undergraduate major courses. If a student does not have the required 3.0 GPA in order to start the undergraduate courses, the student may petition the Dean for Grade Forgiveness which permits a student to re-take a course in which a grade of “C” was earned.

Program Scheduling

During the first 16 months of the program, students will take one 4-week in-person face-to-face undergraduate course per month. The last 4 months of the 20-month undergraduate coursework includes 4 months of supervised practice. The didactic undergraduate courses are offered in-person only 3 days per week from 9:00am-1:00pm (3-credit courses) or 4 days per week from 8:00am-1:00pm (4-credit courses).

The 4 months of supervised practice in the undergraduate coursework and the 8 weeks of supervised practice in the graduate coursework occur off campus at assigned facilities (hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation hospital, school, or community agency). Students will know their assigned sites at least 4 weeks in advance. Students are expected to be at their sites 40 hours per week, at days and times determined by the clinical coordinator and the preceptor at the assigned facility. The practice experiences may involve as few as six (6) hours and as many as twelve (12) hours on any given day, however, all students will meet the forty (40) hours per week supervised practice experience hours requirement (minimum of 1000 total hours). Students are expected to complete assignments and activities required for the supervised practice courses outside of the 40 hour per week supervised practice experience.

During the graduate portion of the program, students will take 12 fully online 8-week courses using the learning platform, Blackboard. An 8-week clinical supervised practice will be scheduled concurrently during the graduate course DIE 544 Advanced Practice.

View Academic Calendar

Program Outline

Program completion requirements are:

• Completion of general education requirements with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Completion of the undergraduate and graduate courses within the program of study with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Completion of the required minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice experience.
• Demonstrated mastery of all ACEND knowledge and competence requirements.

Students will be awarded the Verification Statement upon completion of all stated program requirements.

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA per semester throughout the undergraduate and graduate coursework in order to continue in the program. The program director/program coordinator will monitor each student’s semester cumulative GPA and provide academic advisement and remediation per policies stated in the Student Handbook should they fall below the required 3.0 GPA.

A student may submit a written request to the Dean of the Graduate School for consideration in being awarded the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition (BSDN) degree upon completion of 121 credit hours, (3 credits lower division major, 48 credits lower division General Education Courses, and 70 credits undergraduate courses). However, if the student does not continue in the MSCN program and complete the requirements listed above, the student will be considered a drop and will not receive a Verification Statement indicating that all program requirements were met.

Online Coursework

Keiser University uses the Blackboard online learning management system for all courses. Some of the General Education courses are delivered totally online. All of the undergraduate courses are delivered in person. All of the MSCN courses are delivered online except for DIE 544 – Advanced Practice, which requires 320 hours of in-person supervised practice in medical nutrition therapy in addition to the online coursework and assignments.

Students will need access to a desktop or laptop with reliable internet for all coursework. Microsoft Office software is provided to all students through Office 365.

Blackboard provides support for students 24 hours a day, 7 days per week through this link – https://keiseruniversity.edusupportcenter.com/shp/keiser u/home or by phone at 855-412-3717.

Prior Learning Assessment

The methods typically used to evaluate a student’s learning for college credit used in the MSCN-CP program include:

• Work experience.
• Professional training
• Military training.
• ACE and National College Credit Recommendation Services.
• Standardized exams (e.g., CLEP exams through the College Board, DSST military exams through Prometric).
• Challenge or departmental exams.
• Institutional review of external training, licenses, or certifications.
• Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams.

The MSCN-CP will not accept supervised practice hours from other programs.

The Program Completion requirements are different if a student already holds a master’s degree and wants to become a registered dietitian. Keiser University MSCN-CP will consider admitting these students as long as the master’s degree is granted by a US Department of Education accredited institution, or foreign equivalent. These students will be required to complete the undergraduate component of the program with any eligible courses being transferred into Keiser University. They will also be required to successfully complete one eight-week supervised practice course in the master’s curriculum which is DIE 544 – Advanced Practice and show mastery of all ACEND required competencies for RDNs by completing any additional assignments per the Program Director. After completion of the requirement stated here, the student will be awarded the Verification Statement.

Estimated Costs

In addition to the university tuition, which is found in the Keiser University Undergraduate Catalog and Keiser University Graduate Catalog, students are responsible for the additional costs.

View Estimated Costs

Additional information about eligibility requirements, career information, RDN Frequently Asked Questions, and current Registration statistics can be found at https://www.cdrnet.org/RDN.

Financial Aid

Keiser University has been approved as an eligible institution by the United States Department of Education to participate in Federal Financial Aid Programs. Please note students must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States in order to be eligible for Federal funding.

Keiser University has the following institutional and Federal Aid programs available to students who qualify:

• Funding Estimates
• Grants
• Loans
• Scholarships

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is due by the end of the first week of the semester when the student begins classes.

Financial Services

Career Pathways in Clinical Nutrition

Upon graduation from our Clinical Nutrition, MS Coordinated Program, you will have earned a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition as well as gained the abilities you need to:

• Design nutrition-focused initiatives to promote health and wellness
• Lead operational aspects of food service nutrition programs
• Integrate clinical thinking into nutrition practice in a diverse work environment
• And more!

Through Keiser’s graduate program in clinical nutrition, you will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to develop the nutrition knowledge and skills to build a career in the diverse field of nutrition and dietetics.  Potential career opportunities can include:

• Registered dietitian nutritionist
• Licensed or certified dietitian/nutritionist
• Food service management
• And more!

Requirements and Process to Become a RD/RDN

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) defines Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/RDN) as food and nutrition experts who have met CDR’s criteria to earn the RD/RDN credential. RD/RDNs work in a wide variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice.

View Requirements and Process

Programs Outcomes

• View Learning Outcomes

State Licensure Disclosure

• Clinical Nutrition Coordinated Program, MS

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