Curriculum and Schedule

The 12-15-month, fully online graduate degree (May 2026-August 2027) is completed in conjunction with the supervised practice portion of the program. Listed below is a sample of how the courses may be completed for each program.

1. Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a local university that offers an online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) with a concentration in Leadership in Nutrition. Please consult the official MTSU website for specific questions about applying for the MPS program. A sample schedule for the 12-15-month, fully online MPS degree that is completed in conjunction with the supervised practice portion of the program is outlined below:

 

Summer 2026 (9-12 credit hours, does not have to be completed in middle TN)

PRST 6600 – Statistical Analysis

PRST 6100 – Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics July Session

3 credit hours from a list of several courses in the MPS or NFS program

 

Fall 2026 (6 credit hours)

PRST 6300 – Research Methods

HSC 6530 – Effective Program Management

 

Spring 2027 (6 credit hrs.)

PRST 6000 – Leading Organization Transformation

NFS 6300 – Entrepreneurial Skills for Nutrition Professionals

 

Summer 2027 (6-9 credit hours, does not have to be completed in middle TN)

PRST 6998 – Professional Project

Final 6 credit hours are awarded after completing the program, at no cost

 

2. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers an online Master of Science in Human Nutrition. Please consult the official University of Alabama website for specific questions about applying for the MS program. A sample schedule for the 14-month, fully online MS degree that is completed in conjunction with the supervised practice portion of the program is outlined below:

 

Summer 2026 (9 credit hours, does not have to be completed in middle TN)

NHM 566 – Advanced Clinical Nutrition

NHM 587 – Integrated Food Systems Management

NHM 509 – Research Methods

 

Fall 2026 (6 credit hours to be completed online concurrent with rotations)

NHM 585 or 588 – Clinical Nutrition Management or Advanced Food Service Systems Management

NHM 530, 567, or 555 – Advanced Nutrition Counseling, Nutrition Support of the Critically Ill, or Maternal & Infant Nutrition

 

Spring 2027 (6 credit hours to be completed online concurrent with rotations)

NHM 585 or 588 – Clinical Nutrition Management or Advanced Food Service Systems

Management

NHM 572 – Metabolism of Energy Nutrients

 

Summer 2027 (9 credit hours, does not have to be completed in middle TN)

NHM 573 – Advanced Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism

HHE 526 – Biostatistics

NHM 597 – MS Capstone Course

 

3. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers an online Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with optional concentrations in Nutrition and Healthy Weight, Nutrition and Sports, or Nutrition in the Lifecycle. Please consult the official Texas Tech University website for specific questions about applying for the MS program. A sample schedule for the 14-month, fully online MS degree that is completed in conjunction with the supervised practice portion of the program is outlined below:

 

Summer 2026 (9 credit hours, does not have to be completed in middle TN)

NS 5330 – Intro to Nutrition Research

NS 5346 – Clinical Applications: Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Lipids

NS 5340 – Pediatric Nutrition

 

Fall 2026 (6 credit hours to be completed online concurrent with rotations)

NS 5347 – Clinical Applications: Vitamins and Minerals

NS 5344 – Nutrition and Geriatrics

 

Spring 2027 (6 credit hours to be completed online concurrent with rotations)

NS 5342 – Biostatistics in Nutrition

NS 6318 – Maternal and Child Nutrition

 

Summer 2027 (9 credit hours, does not have to be completed in middle TN)

NS 6335 – Motivating Health Behavior: Coaching Theory & Application

NS 5333 – Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship

NS 6330 – Nutrition Supplements & Ergogenic Aids

 

Memphis Training

One week of pediatric training will be scheduled in the spring in Memphis, Tennessee. When traveling to Memphis, housing is paid for by NHC. Some meals and gas are reimbursed as well. The projected cost to the intern for the Memphis rotation is approximately $100.

Staff Relief

Staff relief is scheduled at an approved NHC facility in a convenient location for minimal lodging and/or travel costs to the intern.

Classes

Interns will meet approximately once a month on Mondays for dietetic internship classes on various topics throughout the entire program. For interns enrolled in an online graduate degree program, they will complete any graduate coursework on evenings, weekends and Mondays.

Policy on Granting Credit for Prior Learning Experience

Graduates of ACEND-accredited didactic programs who have held post-graduate (unless otherwise approved) paid positions in the field of dietetics with responsibilities that fulfilled certain ACEND competencies may be granted credit for prior learning. In addition, applicants with a completed graduate degree may also receive credit for prior learning and all or a portion of the required graduate coursework may be replaced. It will be determined by the program director if the experience will replace a portion of a rotation or course or if an alternate rotation will be provided to provide time to focus on a special interest of the intern.

The process must be initiated prior to beginning the internship to accommodate changes in scheduling. The process for establishing credit for prior learning is as follows: 1. Intern will contact director after internship appointment to request an assessment of prior learning. If the request to assess adequacy of prior learning is verbally approved, then the intern will follow up with a written request describing in detail the prior learning experience. 2. Intern will provide contact information to verify prior learning experiences. 3. Program director will determine if prior credit replaces a portion of a rotation or course or if an alternate rotation will be provided for the intern. 4. Intern will provide official transcripts of previously completed graduate degree, if applicable.