Master of Science in Nutrition with Dietetic Internship
From day one, you'll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking learning environment that prepares you to excel on the national registration examination and earn your credential as a RDN. Whether you're driven by a desire to improve lives, lead in clinical settings, or shape public health policy, the MSDI program at Auburn University is your launchpad to a meaningful and rewarding career.
The program is ideal for motivated students seeking advanced training in nutrition science and diverse, hands-on professional experiences that prepare them for successful careers in dietetics.
Key Features:
- Dual Advantage: Earn your master’s degree and complete supervised practice in one streamlined program.
- Flexible Format: Online coursework + local rotations (within ~90 miles of Auburn).
- Diverse Rotations: Clinical, community, foodservice, and a wide variety of specialty settings including SEC and Olympic athletes, ROTC military performance, WIC, hospitals, schools, private practice, medical camps for children and more.
- Skills Boot Camps: Hands-on workshops in Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE), swallowing evaluations, Nutrition Care Process (NCP), tube feeding Placement, performance nutrition and others.
- RD Exam Prep: Free structured review course to help you succeed.
- Personalized Mentorship: Small cohorts + close faculty guidance = strong professional growth.
- Interprofessional Learning: Collaborate with nursing, Speech Language Pathology, Doctor of Osteopathy and other health disciplines.
- Community Engagement: Lead community initiatives such as health fairs, outreach events and cooperative extension programs.
- Advanced Coursework: Deep dive into Medical Nutrition Therapy, Global Nutrition, Leadership and Research.
- Dietetic Internship Only: Positions available for those who have completed an accredited DPD program and master’s degree previously.
Program Overview
The mission of the Auburn University Dietetic Internship is to prepare competent and engaged registered dietitian nutritionists who will improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities through evidence-based practice, service, and leadership in a wide range of nutrition and dietetics settings.
The following goals and outcome measures reflect the mission of the Auburn University Dietetic Internship and form the basis for evaluation of effectiveness.
Goal 1: Program graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions in the field of nutrition and dietetics or related fields.
Objectives for Goal 1:
- At least 80% of interns complete program/degree requirements within 23 months (150% of the program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, 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 employers who respond to the Employer Satisfaction Survey report satisfaction with graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice during the first year of employment.
- At least 80% of graduates indicate satisfaction with their preparation for entry-level practice during their exit interview.
Goal 2: Program graduates will actively contribute to the profession through professional engagement and application of evidence-based knowledge in practice.
Objectives for Goal 2:
- At least 75% of alumni responding to the alumni survey will report that they routinely apply current evidence-based guidelines in their professional practice.
- At least 50% of alumni responding to the alumni survey will report active membership in a professional organization in nutrition and dietetics or a related field.
- At least 50% of recent graduates responding to the alumni survey will report participation in community or professional service activities.
- Upon program completion, at least 80% of graduates seeking work in nutrition and dietetics will report feeling prepared to serve as preceptors for dietetics students.
Program outcomes data are available upon request.
The M.S. in Nutrition (Non-Thesis) with Dietetic Internship offers a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice experience in conjunction with the M.S. degree to enable baccalaureate degree graduates of Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPDs) the opportunity to fulfill the experiential requirements to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. Upon completing the program, graduates will earn a Master of Science degree and will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Specific requirements (grades and practicum) are outlined in the Dietetic Internship Handbook.
Required courses for the non-thesis track in nutrition include (30 credits) + Dietetic Internship:
| Dietetic Internship with M.S. Nutrition | |||||
| SUMMER | HOURS | ||||
| NTRI 7020 Advanced Nutrition & Diet Therapy | 3 | ||||
| NTRI 7520 Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 | ||||
| NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics | 3 | ||||
| Graduate School/DI | |||||
| FALL | HOURS | SPRING | HOURS | SUMMER | HOURS |
| NTRI 6040 Global Nutrition & Hunger | 3 | NTRI 7030 Leadership & Management in NS | 3 | NTRI 7980 Non-Thesis Research | 3 |
| NTRI 7530 Micronutrient Metabolism | 3 | NTRI 7040 Health Behavior Theory in Nutrition Counseling & Education | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| NTRI 7050 Research Methods | 3 | ERMA 7300 Statistics | 3 | ||
| NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics | 3 | NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics | 3 | ||
| Dietetic Internship with M.S. Nutrition Accelerated Bachelor's to Master’s (ABM) Route (Auburn University Students Only) | |||||
| FALL (Senior Year) | HOURS | SPRING (Senior Year) | HOURS | SUMMER | HOURS |
| NTRI 6040 Global Nutrition & Hunger | 3 | NTRI 7030 Leadership & Management in NS | 3 | NTRI 7020 Advanced Nutrition & Diet Therapy | 3 |
| Remaining Senior-Level Courses | NTRI 7040 Health Behavior Theory in Nutrition Counseling & Education | 3 | NTRI 7520 Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 | |
| Remaining Senior-Level Courses | NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics | 3 | |||
| Graduate School/DI | |||||
| FALL | HOURS | SPRING | HOURS | SUMMER | HOURS |
| NTRI 7530 Micronutrient Metabolism | 3 | ERMA 7300 Statistics | 3 | NTRI 7980 Non-Thesis Research | 3 |
| NTRI 7050 Research Methods | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics | 3 | NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics | 3 | ||
Pathway to Becoming a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- Complete a baccalaureate degree and earn a Verification Statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics. Classes vary according to program, but in general, coursework covers subjects that may range from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry.
- Complete a supervised practice requirement. In addition, individuals must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice to gain real-world experience and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the context of a variety of work settings. These hours can be completed through a Dietetic Internship, Coordinated Program in Dietetics, or a Graduate Program in Dietetics.
- Earn a graduate degree. A minimum of a master’s degree is required to be eligible for the RDN exam.
- Pass a national examination. Once you complete your degrees and supervised practice, you may schedule to take CDR's Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become a credentialed as registered dietetics nutritionist. This is called "RDN eligibility," meaning you have completed the requirements to become eligible to take the national exam.
- Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes. In the state of Alabama, you must be licensed to practice.
- Stay up to date through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices.
Graduates of the MSDI program are well-prepared for careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in both traditional and emerging practice settings. With advanced graduate training and diverse supervised practice experiences, students leave Auburn ready to succeed across the profession.
Recent Auburn Graduate Placements and Career Paths:
- Sports & Performance Nutrition: Positions with professional and collegiate athletics departments, as well as with ROTC and Olympic-level performance programs.
- Child & School Nutrition Programs: Leadership roles in child nutrition programs, school foodservice, and campus dining operations.
- Clinical Nutrition: Inpatient hospital care, outpatient services, long-term care, dialysis centers, and specialty medical practices.
- Community & Public Health: WIC, Cooperative Extension, Head Start, state and local health departments, and nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity and wellness.
- Foodservice Management: Hospital dining services, campus dining, and large-scale food operations.
- Research & Academia: Applied nutrition research, teaching, and doctoral studies for those pursuing advanced scholarship.
- Industry & Private Practice: Wellness programs, corporate health initiatives, consulting, and entrepreneurial nutrition practices.
Step into your future as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with the Master of Science in Nutrition with Dietetic Internship. Apply Now!
Additional Information
The MSDI is designed to be affordable and accessible. One of the unique benefits of Auburn’s program is that in-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate.
Tuition and Fees
|
Course |
Cost per Credit |
Resident & Non-Resident |
|
NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics (9 credits*) |
$1250 |
$11,250 |
|
Didactic Courses (30 credits**) |
$533*** |
$15,990 |
|
TOTAL (estimated) |
|
$27,240 |
**AU students enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelors to Masters (ABM) Program complete fewer graduate-level credits during the MSDI, reducing overall program cost.
*** Graduate didactic coursework is billed at the distance-learning rate of $533/credit (includes tuition + fees).
Information about Auburn University tuition and fees, room and board, and other associated educational costs can be found on the Cost of Attendance website.
Additional Costs
In addition to tuition and fees, students are responsible for materials and expenses that support academic success and supervised practice experiences. Many of these items are used throughout the program and into professional practice. Costs are estimates and may vary.
|
Item |
Estimated Cost |
|
White Lab Coat |
$80 |
|
RD Exam Study Material* |
$200 |
|
AHA BLS Certification and ServSafe Certification |
$35 |
|
Slip-resistant closed toed shoes |
$65 |
|
Health screenings, immunizations, drug screens, background checks |
$200 |
|
Books, course packets, supplemental material, technology |
$800 |
|
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership |
$58 |
|
Local District Dietetic Association Student Membership |
$5 |
|
Alabama Dietetic Association Conference (ALDA)** |
$75 + travel |
|
Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE)** |
$155 + travel |
*Program-Provided Benefit: Auburn provides students with an RD Exam Prep Course (valued at $500) at no cost, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for credentialing success.
**Attendance at local, state, or national meetings is usually optional unless specified by course or program requirements. Associated registrations, travel, lodging, and meals are the student’s responsibility.
For supervised practice experiences (internship hours), additional expenses are incurred by the student. Costs vary. These expenses typically include the following:
- Transportation (including travel to/from assigned supervised practice sites, parking, gas, car insurance, car maintenance, etc.)
- Food and beverage
- Additional onboarding requirements as determined by the site (e.g., drug screen, immunizations, background checks)
- Proof of health insurance may be required depending upon site.
Registration Examination
|
Item |
Estimated Cost |
|
Examination Fee* |
$250 |
|
Annual Registration Maintenance Fee* |
$80 |
|
State Licensure |
Varies |
*Paid after program completion, required for RDN credential
The MSDI begins with orientation during the first full week of the summer term. Orientation is required and held in person on campus.
The program is completed in four consecutive semesters (Summer I, Fall, Spring, Summer II) and combines graduate coursework with supervised practice rotations in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, foodservice management, and specialty areas. All interns must successfully complete both the supervised practice (minimum 1,000 hours) and master’s degree requirements to earn a verification statement and be eligible to sit for the national Registration Examination for Dietitians (RD Exam).
Because coursework is delivered online through the non-thesis Master of Science in Nutrition program, students are able to complete supervised practice experiences three days per week while scheduling coursework on other days, evenings, or weekends.
For an updated list of curriculum requirements and course descriptions, visit the Auburn University Bulletin.
Students observe holidays as listed on the official Auburn Academic Calendar. For a list of relevant dates throughout the program year, visit the Auburn Academic Calendar and Graduate School Calendar.
Information regarding financial aid can be found on the website of Financial Aid at Auburn University. Auburn University and the Department of Nutritional Sciences also offer multiple scholarships. Information on these scholarships can be found on the University Scholarships website. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Foundation offers scholarships to encourage eligible students to enter the field of dietetics.
Students in the MSDI have the opportunity to apply for Graduate Assistant (GA) positions within the Department of Nutritional Sciences and across campus. These competitive positions provide valuable professional experience while helping offset the cost of graduate education through a stipend and, in many cases, tuition support.
Graduate Assistants work part-time (10–20 hours per week, depending on assignment) and gain hands-on experience in areas such as:
- Teaching Support – Assisting faculty with classes, grading, tutoring, and online course development.
- Research Support – Working with faculty research teams on projects, data collection, analysis, and publications.
- Administrative Support – Helping with departmental events, communications, and program coordination.
Graduate assistantships not only provide financial benefits but also help students build their skills, strengthen their resumes, and make professional connections that support future career success. Applications are typically due early in the spring semester prior to the start of the internship in May. Contact the internship director, Dr. Rushing, for more information.
To successfully complete the M.S. in Nutrition with Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program and be eligible to sit for the national Registration Examination for Dietitians (RD Exam), students must meet the following requirements:
Academic Requirements
- Complete all required graduate coursework in the non-thesis Master of Science in Nutrition program (minimum 30 credit hours).
- Maintain good academic standing in accordance with Auburn University Graduate School policies.
- Successfully complete all assignments, projects, and assessments associated with the program curriculum.
Supervised Practice Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice as part of NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics.
- Demonstrate competence in all Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) required competencies for entry-level dietitians.
- Successfully complete all practice rotations in clinical, community, foodservice, and specialty areas.
Additional Requirements
- Attend mandatory orientation at the start of the program.
- Participate in program-required seminars, professional development activities, and the RD Exam Prep Course.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to Auburn University.
Completion and Verification
Upon successful completion of the MSDI program, students will:
- Receive a Master of Science in Nutrition degree.
- Be issued a verification statement from the Program Director, confirming eligibility to sit for the RD Exam.
The coursework for the MSDI is delivered primarily online, allowing students to complete graduate coursework while engaging in supervised practice rotations. Courses are a mix of asynchronous (self-paced) and synchronous (scheduled) learning activities, including lectures, discussions, case studies, and applied projects. The College of Human Sciences requires all students have a laptop computer and outlines minimum computer specifications. Auburn University also uses Canvas as the learning management system to deliver its online courses. Find out more about Computer Specifications for Canvas.
To succeed in the program, students should have:
- A reliable computer (desktop or laptop) with a current operating system.
- High-speed internet connection capable of supporting video streaming and live class sessions.
- A webcam, microphone, and speakers/headset for virtual meetings and presentations.
- Access to productivity and course-related software. Auburn students receive free access to Microsoft Office 365 and many other licensed programs.
- Ability to access and use Auburn’s learning management system (Canvas).
Support and Resources:
- Auburn University provides students with access to technical support, the online learning platform, and digital library resources.
- Training and orientation to online systems are included at the start of the program.
This format provides flexibility for students to complete supervised practice three days per week, while scheduling coursework on other days, evenings, or weekends.
Interns in the MSDI are not required to secure their own supervised practice sites. Auburn University coordinates placements to ensure that each student completes the 1,000+ hours of supervised practice required by ACEND. Rotations include experiences in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, foodservice management, and specialty areas.
In addition to assigned placements, students may request specific sites or preceptors that align with program requirements. These requests must be approved by the Program Director to ensure they meet accreditation standards and provide appropriate learning opportunities.
This model ensures that all interns receive comprehensive training while allowing flexibility for those who want to pursue specialized experiences.
The MSDI follows Auburn University and ACEND standards regarding credit for prior learning.
- Graduate Coursework: Credit is only awarded for graduate-level courses that meet Auburn University transfer credit policies. All transfer credits must be approved by the Graduate School and the Program Director.
- Supervised Practice Hours: In accordance with ACEND requirements, prior work or volunteer experience cannot be substituted for supervised practice hours. All interns must complete the full 1,000+ hours of supervised practice through Auburn’s coordinated program.
- Types of Credit Not Accepted: The program does not grant credit toward supervised practice for prior employment, volunteer experience, or coursework completed outside of approved academic transfer processes.
This policy ensures that all students meet the same high standards of competency and preparedness before earning a verification statement and becoming eligible to sit for the RD Exam.
