MS in Nutrition with DPD Verification (MS DPD)

TCU MS in Nutrition with DPD Verification

This program culminates in a Master’s degree (MS) with DPD verification. Please visit the BS DPD website for information about the undergraduate DPD program at TCU. An MS in Nutrition degree without DPD verification is also offered at TCU.

A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is designed for those who wish to enter the dietetics profession. It is an academic program in a U.S. regionally accredited college or university that culminates in a minimum of a baccalaureate degree. The TCU MS DPD is a three-year program that meets the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards for entry-level dietetics education programs specified by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Coursework is based upon achievement of Core Knowledge Requirements for the RDN for Didactic Programs in Dietetics and emphasizes the scientific and evidence base of dietetics practice, professional practice expectations, clinical and customer services, practice management and the use of resources. MS DPD curriculum provides students with a course of study in advanced nutrition topics related to disease prevention and management, health optimization, and food and nutrition sustainability. Students are able to tailor the degree with additional course options within, and outside of, the Department of Nutritional Sciences.

Program Goals & Objectives

The goals and student learning objectives of the MS DPD support the DPD mission and are listed below. Data collected to determine achievement of Program goals is available upon request to ACEND and to the public.

DPD Program Goal #1 - Prepare graduates to achieve competence in Core Knowledge for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Objective Measure 1.a: Program Completion Rate

At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 4.5 years (150% of the program length).

Objective Measure 1.b: Graduate Readiness for Supervised Practice

At least 80% of program graduates will indicate their readiness for supervised practice as "good" to "excellent" on the MS DPD Exit Evaluation.

Objective Measure 1.c: Graduate Perception of Preparation

At least 70% of program graduates who respond to the MS DPD Post-Graduate Survey indicate a “good” or “excellent” perception of his/her preparedness regarding Core Knowledge required for entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

Objective Measure 1.d: Supervised Practice Director Perception of Graduate Preparation

At least 70% of Supervised Practice Directors who respond to the MS DPD Supervised Practice Director Survey indicate MS DPD graduates are competent in Core Knowledge for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist within 12 months of graduation.

Program Goal #2 - Provide graduates with adequate knowledge for post-graduate education, including supervised practice programs, to secure employment as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

Objective Measure 2.a: Supervised Practice Application Rate

At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

Objective Measure 2.b: Supervised Practice Acceptance Rate

Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50% of program graduates are admitted within 12 months of graduation.

Objective Measure 2.c: Supervised Practice Director Perception of Graduate Performance

At least 70% of Supervised Practice Program Directors who respond to the MS DPD Supervised Practice Director Survey indicate a “good” to “excellent” perception of MS DPD graduates’ performance in supervised practice within 12 months of graduation.

Objective Measure 2.d: Registration Exam Pass Rate

The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Program Application & Admission

The TCU MS in Nutrition with DPD Verification is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking to earn both a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement and a Master of Science in Nutrition.

Application Process Overview

Admission to the TCU MS DPD program involves two steps:

Apply to the MS DPD Program
Students must first apply to the MS DPD through the Department of Nutritional Sciences after completing all required program prerequisites. This application includes submission of academic records, practical experience documentation, and letters of recommendation.
Apply to TCU Graduate School*
After acceptance into the MS DPD and successful completion of 22 hours of post-baccalaureate DPD coursework at TCU, students will apply to the TCU Graduate School to complete the MS in Nutrition degree.

* Students accepted into the MS DPD program are expected to transition into the MS in Nutrition degree program upon maintaining good academic standing. The admission requirements for both programs are aligned to ensure a smooth progression.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but to begin coursework in:

Fall semester: Apply by May 1
Spring semester: Apply by November 1

MS Nutrition DPD Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply to the MS DPD, applicants must have:

Completed all prerequisite coursework (see list below)
Minimum 3.0 GPA in Nutrition coursework
Minimum 2.75 GPA in Associated Requirements
No more than three grades below a B- in Associated Requirements
At least 200 hours of documented experience in food or nutrition-related settings
Three letters of recommendation
No GRE required
TOEFL score of 80 or higher (for non-native English speakers)
Interview with program faculty following application review

Required Prerequisite Coursework

Nutrition
Nutrition throughout the Lifecycle
Medical Terminology
General Chemistry I & II
Organic Chemistry
Physiology
Microbiology
Human Behavior (Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology

Post-Baccalaureate Coursework at TCU

Once admitted to the MS DPD, students complete 22 credit hours of undergraduate Nutritional Sciences (NTDT) post-baccalaureate coursework at TCU. Students may choose to enroll in the post-baccalaureate DPD courses at TCU prior to formal admission into the MS DPD program. However, enrollment in these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the MS DPD. If a student is not accepted into the program, these DPD courses do not apply toward a formal degree and may not fulfill requirements for other graduate programs

These courses are required prior to starting graduate-level MS in Nutrition coursework and provide foundational knowledge for dietetics practice. Students must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA in all NTDT courses to remain in good academic standing to progress to graduate school.

A full list of required post-baccalaureate courses is available in the MS DPD course sequence.

Graduate School Admission

After completing the required post-baccalaureate coursework at TCU and maintaining good academic standing, students will apply to Graduate School to complete the MS in Nutrition degree. Students meeting these standards will be eligible for admission to graduate study without additional admissions criteria.

Admission decisions are made without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Program policies protect student civil rights, privacy, and comply with institutional equal opportunity practices.

Application Materials:

A student’s continuation in the TCU MS DPD is contingent upon attainment of a strong academic record and successful completion of the program sequence. The MS DPD will follow the University calendar in regard to vacations and holidays.

GRADUATING FROM THE MS DPD

Program curriculum includes 22 hours of required undergraduate Nutritional Sciences (NTDT) post-baccalaureate course credits taken at TCU, and a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond a Bachelor of Science degree. Completion of a thesis is optional. A list of required coursework is available in the TCU Graduate Catalog, TCU DPD Student Handbook, and MS DPD Sequence of Courses.

All 30000 and 40000 level NTDT post-baccalaureate courses must be taken at TCU. Per the University’s policy for Master’s degree requirements, limited graduate credit earned from another accredited college or university will be considered for transfer to the MS DPD. Written request for transfer credit, with appropriate transcripts, should be made at the time of application for admission. Such credit must be applicable to the student's program as determined by his/her advisor; carry at least a "B" grade (3.0 on a 4.0 scale); and be residence credit, not extension or correspondence. Six semester hours of transfer credit usually is all that will be accepted, but under special circumstances additional hours may be considered, subject to approval by the chair of the major department and the dean of the school/college. Transfer credit will not be accepted towards courses in which ACEND required learning objectives are assessed. The DPD Director will evaluate course work and letter grades on students’ transcripts to determine credit for MS DPD requirements.

In order to earn the MS degree, a student must attain a minimum graduate Nutritional Sciences (NTDT) GPA of 3.0 and earn a grade of ‘C-‘or better in all graduate courses. All final 50000- and 60000-level course grades will be included in the computation of the graduate GPA, but no more than two grades below a ‘B-‘may be used in satisfying the degree requirements. In addition to earning the MS degree, students must complete 500 hours of documented food or nutrition practical experience prior to the completion of their final semester at TCU.

Students who meet the requirements above, and successfully complete the 30-credit hour requirement of the MS DPD, will graduate with a Master of Science degree and receive DPD Verification and are therefore eligible to apply for a supervised practice program (Dietetic Internship). Successful completion of an accredited supervised practice program is necessary for students to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Although some DPD programs allow students to earn DPD Verification without earning a degree from that program, the TCU MS DPD will not provide DPD verification for students who do not earn an MS from the TCU DPD. Students who do not meet the requirements for DPD verification, but complete the requirements of the MS in NUTR, will graduate with the MS in NUTR without DPD verification.

Additional Program Information

Direct graduate costs for tuition, room, board, books, and supplies for each academic year are available through the TCU Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid. Students may qualify for scholarships, financial aid and/or loans. More detailed costs for MS DPD students are outlined in the DPD Student Handbook and include approximately $1,000 per year for lab fees, photocopying, school and office supplies, textbooks, and professional dues.

The TCU Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid loan comparison chart details deferment options for student loans while enrolled in the program. Students are eligible for federal student loan deferment if they are enrolled at least half-time. Questions regarding deferment of privately funded loans should be directed to the lending institution.

A student who applies to the TCU MS DPD plans to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The TCU MS DPD was offered for the first time in Fall 2023 and, therefore, data is not available for this specific track regarding pass rate on the Registration Examination for Dietitians. However, the current TCU DPD one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the Registration Examination for Dietitians is 100%. The TCU DPD’s current three-year average of the one-year pass rate on the registration examination is 100%.

MS DPD Sequence of Courses