Program Completion and Graduation Requirements

The MS in Nutritional Sciences with the Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentration is scheduled to be completed within two years (four semesters and one summer term after the first year). Students choosing the 3 plus 2 BS/MS program at Delaware State University apply during the junior year of the program. For program completion/graduation, students are required to maintain a minimum grade of “B” in all coursework. Students who do not meet these requirements will not be allowed to continue in the Coordinated Program unless the coursework is retaken and meets the outlined grade expectations. Additionally, they will be placed on academic probation (see Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy in the Appendix of the Student Handbook).

Evaluation of the supervised practice performance will be conducted jointly by the director of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics and preceptors at the sites where the student completes the supervised practice rotations. If a student does not pass a rotation, additional assignments and potentially additional supervised practice may be required. The program director will decide that in conjunction with preceptor(s) as needed.

For program completion, Delaware State University’s (DSU) Coordinated Program in Dietetics requires completion of a minimum of 38 graduate credit hours consisting of didactic instruction and 1005 hours of supervised practice in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and food service management as delineated in the Course Sequence by Semester. Upon successful completion of all facets of the program, students will be awarded the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics and receive an ACEND verification statement, enabling them to take the registration examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN). In addition to obtaining the RD or RDN credential, graduates may need state licensing to practice as a dietitian nutritionist in many states. Licensure is a requirement in Delaware. 

Students are required to complete the Coordinated Program in Dietetics in 3 years. An extension of time will only be granted under special circumstances with prior program director permission.