Future Education Model, M.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics Concentration

The Future Education Model Graduate Program (GP) is an accredited program in which students will complete a master’s degree (M.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics Concentration) and supervised experiential learning (SEL) in professional settings to be eligible for the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s credentialing examining for dietitian nutritionists. Students will complete at minimum of 1,000 hours of SEL in a professional setting through a minimum of 12 weeks in clinical, 5 weeks in foodservice, 4 weeks in community, 2 weeks in WIC and 1 week of long-term care. Some sites require additional weeks to complete all required competencies.

A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement is not required, but all students must have completed the prerequisite coursework. A student with a DPD verification statement will meet all prerequisite courses. The GP integrates didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice. The GP program at NCCU is four semesters, with year 1 courses through distance education. Year 2 requires local residence for on-campus training August through October, followed by SEL in professional setting rotations through June.

NCCU coordinates students' SEL in professional settings with sites throughout North Carolina and the vicinity, with the majority in the Triangle area. It may be possible to acquire a site in your local area for year 1 SEL, but year 2 SEL sites will be in North Carolina and the vicinity. An accelerated option is available for qualified students who already have a master’s degree.

After acceptance into the program, students can request an assessment of prior learning to be waived from a course or SEL. Students who have a master’s degree and are approved to waive a course (or courses) can complete the program at a reduced credit load (15 credit minimum) and earn a graduate certificate. Please contact the program director for more information. NCCU has excellent outcomes in the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) exam pass rate and job placement. Outcome data is available by request.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN. For more information about this requirement, visit CDR's website.

In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Future Education Model Graduate Program at North Carolina Central University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements, visit CDR's state licensure page.

For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN, visit ACEND's student information page.

International Applicants

NCCU cannot accept international students who require a student visa because of the distance education courses. If you do not need a student visa, then you can apply. If you need a foreign transcript evaluate, please be sure to select a company that is approved for both NCCU and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

The GP at NCCU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND is located at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; phone number 312-899-0040; email [email protected]; website https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

ACEND is a specialized accreditation body recognized by the United States Department of Education as a Title IV gatekeeper. ACEND is also a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) and abides by its code of good practice.

Program Course Plan

*If students have met competencies through prior course work, they can substitute this class with an advanced nutrition elective such as NSCG 5630 - Sports Nutrition (3), NSCG 5740 - Pediatric Nutrition (3), NSCG 5820 – Gerontological Nutrition (3), NSCG 5840 – Weight Management, or Obesity and Diabetes (3).

Exit Requirements:

1. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
2. Conferred master’s degree**
3. Completion of 15 hours of community service
4. Attendance at three professional meetings.
5. Successful completion of a minimum of 1,075 hours of supervised experiential learning
6. All SEL end-of-rotation evaluations by site preceptors must show completion of all competencies at the designated level (know, shows, does) or have an alternate assignment at the designate level (knows, shows, does) that is approved by the GP director.
7. Successful completion of a Dietetics Comprehensive Examination with a score of 85% or above

**Students with a graduate degree prior to starting the GP may use this degree to meet this graduation requirement. Students using a prior graduate degree must meet the university requirements of 15 credits for a graduate certificate. All other students must complete the university requirements of 33 credits for the M.S. degree in Nutritional Sciences.

The GP is an ACEND-accredited program in which students earn a master’s degree and complete supervised experiential learning to be eligible for the registered dietitian/nutritionist (RDN) credentialing exam. A DPD verification statement is not required, but all students must have completed the prerequisite coursework as outlined below.

This is a very competitive program. The Department uses a rubric for evaluating each applicant and scores points for overall GPA; grades in nutrition and math/science courses; a personal statement; letters of recommendation; work, volunteer, or nutrition experience; and an interview.

After acceptance into the program, students can request an assessment of prior learning to be waived from a course(s) or supervised experiential learning. Students who have a master’s degree and are approved to waive a course(s) can complete the program at a reduced credit load (15 credit minimum) and earn a graduate certificate. Please contact the program director for more information.

First-round applications are due the first week of January (check Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Services [DICAS] for the specific due date), with acceptance notification in January/February. If spots are remaining, we will take applications on rolling admission through the graduate school application deadline for Fall admission, typically July 1 (Please check the graduate school website for the official application deadline).

1. Students must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
2. Students must submit transcripts that show they have completed the following courses at undergraduate or above level with a grade of C or above:
   1. Biology/Molecules and Cell Function or equivalent
   2. Chemistry I
   3. Organic Chemistry - 1 semester
   4. Anatomy and Physiology
   5. Human Nutrition
   6. Sanitation and Safety course or ServSafe Certification 
   7. Food Science (with lab preferred)
3. Students must apply through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Process (DICAS) and provide the following information along with other DICAS required materials.
   1. A minimum of two letters of recommendation, preferably from current or former nutrition faculty. Please ask recommenders to evaluate your ability to handle graduate nutrition work and potential success as a registered dietitian.
   2. A personal statement that discusses in detail why you want to pursue an M.S. degree in Nutritional Sciences and why you want to be a registered dietitian.
   3. A resume that includes education, honors/awards, leadership, nutrition-specific work or volunteer experience, general work experience, and community service.
4. Students must complete a face-to-face, telephone, or video interview as requested.
5. If accepted, students will be required to submit a program deposit fee of $500. The check should be made payable to NCCU-DIP. Student will also be required to apply to the NCCU School of Graduate Studies with a fee of $50. Additional information will be provided to students accepted through DICAS.
6. If accepted, students may request an assessment of prior learning by May 1 prior to entering the program. Students are required to provide evidence of meeting competencies to a program review committee.  Evidence of competence may include:
   1. Transcripts from accredited universities
   2. Course assignments or projects
   3. Work experience (i.e., employer reference, resume, etc.)

Note: There are new application procedures (DICAS) starting for applicants for Fall 2023 and after. 
 
Students can apply for the Future Education Model Graduate Program (abbreviated GP) through the online Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Process (DICAS). Applications are due the first week of January. See DICAS for the specific deadline each year. Access the DICAS instructions using the link below. DICAS charges $50 for the first program you apply to and $25 for each additional program.

Once accepted through DICAS, students will be invited to apply to NCCU School of Graduate Studies, which has a fee of $50. More information will be provided to accepted students.

Apply Here

The 10-month FEM Dietetics Graduate Certificate is an accelerated certificate program within our GP for students who have a master’s degree and have meet year 1 program competencies. The certificate requires a minimum of 15 graduate credits including NSCG 5930, 5940, 6010 and 6020 and all SEL in a professional work setting from year one and two. Prior learning must be assessed by the GP director to determine eligibility. Please contact the GP director prior to applying. Once approved, apply through DICAS through our GP application.

Upon acceptance of an appointment, there is a one-time acceptance fee of $500.00 required. The acceptance fee secures the student's position in the GP. The application fee is non-refundable. The total two-year program tuition and fees based on 2024–2025 for in-state residents of North Carolina are estimated at $9,555.38 (Year 1 = $5,210, Year 2 = $4,345.38), and for out-of-state residents, they are estimated at $33,953.42 (Year 1 = $18,518, Year 2 = $15,435.42). Tuition for students in the certificate program is the same as year 2 tuition for the full program. For future and current tuition and fees as well as the  policy on deferment, please use the following two links:

Financial aid, bill payment, and deferment

Students will need a computer and access to the internet. Year 1 courses are solely through distance education. Additional costs for parking, books, housing, food, medical exams, drug testing, background checks, uniforms, travel to sites, and attendance and travel to professional meetings and other program-specific costs/fees in addition to any institutional fees are not included in this estimated amount. These additional expenses are estimated between $5,000.00 and $9,000.00 but will vary with your choices.