The Nutrition and Dietetics Masters of Science program is for students with an earned Bachelor’s of Science in any field or non ACEND-accredited program. ACEND, the accrediting body, requires that international students, regardless of their degree, must apply for this program.
The first year of the three-year MS, is taught at the foundational (undergraduate) level. The second and third years are taught at the graduate level.
A Coordinated Program (CP) includes both the lecture-based coursework and 1000 hours of supervised practice required by ACEND. Upon completion of a CP, the graduate is eligible to take the boards (RD exam) to become a Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). As of January 1, 2024, a graduate degree is required to be eligible to take the RD exam.
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN APPLICATION DATES AND PROCESS THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION IN NUTRITION & DIETETICS (ACEND)
For prospective applicants planning to apply for Fall 2025, please note that the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND) is requiring all accredited programs to abide by the following policy:
- Application Window: September 1- February 7.
- Our program will be required to send a decision regarding acceptance by March 1.
- If you are accepted into the program, you will be required to confirm or decline the acceptance by March 15.
- The March 1 and 15 dates will be the same every year.
- 2025-2026 application cycle and beyond (for those applying for Summer 2026 and after that), the application is to be submitted via DICAS.
Additional details to follow in the future.
This only affects the following program tracks:
- BS+MS (BS)
- MS (Prior BA/BS)
- MS (Post-DPD)
Prerequisites:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus
- Human Anatomy with lab and Human Physiology with lab
- General Chemistry with lab (one full year)
- Microbiology with lab
- Human Nutrition
Required
- Certificate of Completion or transcript for a Medical Terminology course
How to Apply
To apply to any of our programs, see more detailed information on our school's admissions page. Follow the instructions and complete the online application.
When to Apply
Applications are accepted between September 1 and February 7. Due to the popularity of our program, it is recommended that you apply early.
Financial Information
Costs vary per program. Refer to our Financial Information. or contact the department for additional information.
International Students
International students applying for any nutrition program will need to submit their transcripts for evaluation to WES only. Contact the department if you have further questions.
University Catalog
You may also find more specific information for the Nutrition and Dietetics programs in the University Catalog including student expectations and learning outcomes.
View cost estimates here.
MISSION STATEMENT for the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
The mission of the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is to prepare competent entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to meet the needs of Seventh-day Adventist institutions and the global community. We do so with a commitment to further the “healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ” guided by Loma Linda University’s motto “to make man whole.”
Program Goal 1:
The program will prepare students to be competent graduates who are eligible to write the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become entry-level practitioners.
Program Specific Objective:
- The post-graduate surveys will reflect that 80 percent of graduates are utilizing skills to promote health and/or prevent disease.
ACEND Specific Objectives:
- Eighty percent of students will successfully complete 100% of specified degree requirements within 150 percent of expected degree completion.
- MS (for Bachelor graduates with non-nutrition major) Track: At least 80 percent of program students complete program/degree requirements within 4.125 years (150 percent of the program length). Standard program length is 2.75 years.
- 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%.
- Seventy percent of employers will rate the preparation of graduates of the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics as satisfactory for entry-level practice.
- Eighty percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
Program Goal 2:
Provide professionally-trained Registered dietitians with either an emphasis in medical nutrition therapy or public health nutrition who may be employed by or contribute to the healthcare and educational systems of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or local, national, or international entities. (Students in SAHP are educated with an emphasis in medical nutrition therapy. Students in SPH are educated with an emphasis in public health nutrition.)
Program Specific Objective:
- Sixty percent of Coordinated Program graduates will contribute to the community and/or provide professional leadership in the field of Dietetics within 5 years of graduation.
ACEND Specific Objective:
- Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY-WIDE INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Mission Focused Learning Outcomes
Loma Linda University’s three Mission Focused Learning Outcomes (MFLOs) are firmly rooted to its mission, vision, and values[1]. Because Mission Focused Learning is LLU’s culture, the University continues to develop assessment processes to ensure students are successfully learning these outcomes by the time they complete their programs.
- Wholeness: Students apply the University philosophy of wholeness into their personal and professional lives.
- Values: Students integrate LLU’s Christ-centered values in their personal and professional lives.
Program outcomes data are available upon request.
Program Accreditation
Our Nutrition and Dietetic programs are currently granted continuing accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, (ACEND). 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600, ext 5400. https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend, email [email protected]
Our Nutrition and Dietetics programs are accredited through the year 2027.
Licensure Information
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.
The Nutrition and Dietetics Department is in Nichol Hall Room 1103.
For questions and advisement contact the department at: [email protected]u
Mailing Address
School of Allied Health Professions
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Loma Linda University
Nichol Hall, Room 1103
Loma Linda, CA 92350
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
To apply:
Visit http://llu.edu/academics/how-apply