Graduate Programs
The Master of Science program in Nutritional Sciences provides students with a course of study in advanced nutrition topics related to disease prevention and management, health optimization, and food and nutrition sustainability. The program prepares graduates for positions in advanced clinical, community, and management careers as well as careers in various industry settings. Students are able to tailor the degree with additional course options within, and outside of, Nutritional Sciences. This degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours, beyond a Bachelor’s degree. Completion of a thesis is optional. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses consisting of: General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II with lab, Organic Chemistry, Physiology with lab, and Nutrition. No GRE is required.
The graduate level (MS) TCU Didactic Program in Dietetics Pathway to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN):
A student must complete an ACEND-accredited program in education and supervised practice in order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). After completing an ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program (CP) , Future Education Model Graduate Programs (FG), Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program, or a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) followed by a Dietetic Internship (DI) or Individualized Supervised Practice Program (ISPP) students that have earned verification are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. In order to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) students must complete an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Technician Program or successfully complete coursework in an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics. Examination requirements for the RDN and the NDTR are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). By 2024, individuals must have a Master's level degree in order to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. For more information on the steps necessary to become an RDN, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) website. The AND website also has a list of all of the accredited dietetics programs including Didactic Programs in Dietetics, Coordinated Programs in Dietetics, Future Education Model undergraduate and graduate programs, and Dietetic Internships in the United States.
After passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians, RDNs may seek licensure, if applicable. For more information about Texas State Licensure visit https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/diet/diet.htm.
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.