Frequently Asked Questions

Can this program be completed at a distance? 

The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics degree program is an in-person program requiring students to relocate to the Blacksburg/Roanoke region. We do not offer an option to complete this program from a distance.

Can the prerequisite courses for Track One be completed at a community college?

Yes, as long as the course taken aligns with the Virginia Tech equivalent course. To determine whether this is the case, please reference the Virginia Tech Transfer Guide.

Do I need to identify a faculty mentor to apply to the program?

Completing a research thesis is not required as part of the program, therefore the identification of a faculty mentor is not required prior to applying to the program. The MSND Program Director and Assistant Director serve as the faculty advisors for all MSND students.

Are graduate assistantships available?

Part-time graduate assistantships may be available to Track One students on a limited basis in the first two semesters of the program. Availability of assistantships varies year to year and is not guaranteed. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid as needed. Students should not apply to the program with the goal of receiving an assistantship. 

Is it feasible to work on the side during the program? 

The MSND program requires full attention and energies to be successful in the learning experience. Success requires that the student assign the program top priority. Completion of written assignments and capstone assignments requires significant time commitment beyond classroom and supervised practice hours. Part-time employment is discouraged once SEL rotations have begun and particularly during the clinical SEL (final semester). Students are responsible for determining how much they can handle outside of program commitments. Students who elect to work part-time need to prioritize program activities, assignments and rotations. Didactic, SEL or mandatory program activities cannot be missed due to outside work. 

When will prospective RDNs be required to have a graduate-level degree to sit for the certification exam? 

Any student who demonstrates eligibility to take the RDN exam after January 1, 2024 will be required to attain a graduate degree before taking the RDN exam through the Commission on Dietetics Registration. Prospective dietitians who attain certification as a RDN prior to the January 1, 2024 deadline will NOT be required to attain a graduate degree after the fact.

What kind of jobs do program graduates obtain after graduation? 

Graduates have found jobs in all areas of dietetics including but not limited to: inpatient and outpatient clinical nutrition, long term care, bariatrics, weight management, school nutrition, private practice, eating disorder recovery, behavioral health, foodservice, research, community nutrition, and athletics/sports nutrition. Some alumni have gone on to pursue PhDs.

What are the major differences between the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics and the MS HNFE? 

The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics is an ACEND-accredited Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics. It is a non-thesis professional degree program that integrates graduate-level coursework and supervised practice rotations specifically to prepare students as entry-level dietitians. The MSND Program provides a verification statement to sit for the RDN credentialing exam through the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) at program completion.

The M.S. in HNFE is more of a traditional graduate program that features coursework, research and a thesis/defense. Students are paired with a faculty advisor that aligns with the students’ specific area of interest. This pathway does not grant a verification statement for RDN credentialing exam eligibility.

When does the prerequisite pathway begin? 

The prerequisite pathway would be completed online the summer prior to starting the program. Three courses are offered online in the summer at Virginia Tech as follows:

Summer Session 1: first 6 weeks
Metabolic Nutrition 1 (3c)

Summer Session 2: second 6 weeks
Metabolic Nutrition 2 (3c)

Summer Session 3: 12-weeks all summer
Health Counseling (3c)

Specific dates for summer courses are located here.

Contact

Please direct all program inquiries to msnd@vt.edu or 540-231-3877.