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MSND Experiential Track

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) Plan B: Experiential Track - A Pathway to RDN is a 1.5 year program. This program combines synchronous online coursework with Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) received at clinical, foodservice administration, and community sites. It is expected that students admitted to this program complete the estimated 1230 learning hours on a full-time basis in order to meet the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Prior to admission to the program, it is your responsibility to identify your preceptor(s) and locate each SEL site where you plan to complete your clinical experience, foodservice administration, and community experience supervised practice hours. All SEL sites must be approved by our SEL program manager to ensure that the required competencies will be offered and supported. Once our SEL program manager has evaluated the adequacy of the proposed SEL site, an affiliation agreement between the facility and CMU can be initiated. An affiliation agreement must be in place before you start your SEL rotation.

While completing this program, you must earn a grade of B or better in each of the didactic and supervised experiential learning courses. Upon completion of coursework and supervised experiential learning hours, you will have earned a total of 37 credit hours, with 25 credit hours coming from graduate course work, and 12 credit hours coming from SEL rotations. Following completion of the program and all of its requirements, you will meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN).

You can learn more about experiential learning rotations, admission to the program, cost and fees, or transfer credits in the supervised experiential learning student handbook. 

 

Mission

To provide advanced training that enhances knowledge and hands-on experiences in the field of nutrition and clinical dietetics.

Goals

  1. Prepare graduates to become competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.
  2. Provide students with knowledge,  skills,  and competencies to become effective members of the health care team.

Objectives

Goal 1:  Prepare graduates to become competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

  • Objective 1: At least 80% of program students complete the program requirements within 2.25 years (150% of the program length).
  • Objective 2:  At least 80 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • Objective 3: 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%.

Goal 2:  Provide students with knowledge,  skills,  and competencies to become effective members of the health care team.

  • Objective 1: Of graduates that seek employment, a t least 75% of graduates are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • Objective 2: Greater than 80% of employers of recent graduates from the MSND Plan B: Experiential Learning Track – A Pathway to RDN program will report satisfactory evaluations of their employees of 3 and above on a scale of 5.

*Program data outcomes are available upon request.

Start dates

Spring semester start

  • Applicants will be notified of program acceptance decision by November 1st, 2025.  
  • Applicants must respond with acceptance by November 15th,  2025. 

Fall semester start

  • Applicants will be notified of program acceptance decision by March 1st, 2026.  
  • Applicants must respond with acceptance by March 15th, 2026.  

Program accreditation

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Plan B: Experiential Track - A Pathway to RDN at Central Michigan University has received full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) as a reorganized future graduate program. Additional information on the program accreditation may be obtained on the ACEND website.

  • Date of initial accreditation: 1/27/2023
  • Accreditation term ends: 12/31/2027