The Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program provides students with the supervised practice experience needed to meet the Core Competencies for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Our 21-month program provides a concentration in Clinical Nutrition and includes Clinical rotations, Food Service Management rotations and community hours. The majority of rotations take place at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC), just west of downtown Chicago.
The didactic and research components of the Master’s Degree are completed concurrently with supervised practice and result in conferring of an MS Degree in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by ACEND.
Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited MS/DI program at Rush University Medical Center are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree that is not in dietetics and are interested in applying to Rush, you need to have your college transcript evaluated by a director of a DPD program accredited by ACEND. They will evaluate your previous work and identify courses that you will need to complete at that school to meet nutrition and dietetics requirements that are needed to receive a verification statement and the ability to apply to the Rush program.
Rush University Medical Center (Rush) is a top tier academic medical center located in the heart of Chicago. Rush is ranked #2 in the nation for quality in health care by Vizient. In the recent US News and World Report “2020 America’s Best Hospitals” rankings, Rush is nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties.
As an academic medical center, Rush offers a rich environment for learning by working with professionals and students from all areas of medicine. Students learn from supportive staff, as well as patient-care rounds, teaching rounds, grand rounds, and research forums.
Chicago is a dynamic city rich in culture, diversity, food and tourism. Chicago is home to many food corporations (Kraft, National Restaurant Association, McDonald’s) and professional health care organizations (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Medical Association, The Joint Commission).
The Rush MS/DI Program uses a Teacher-Practitioner model that integrates classroom education, research and service with patient care as part of the learning process.
The Rush MS/DI Program is unique in that most supervised practice experiences are completed on the Rush campus with Rush dietitians who are specialists in their field.
Rush is committed to improving the health of individuals and the diverse communities it serves and offers many opportunities to contribute to our vibrant community.
Rush University has an active Office for Student Success, Student Life and Engagement which includes Multicultural Affairs, Student Diversity and over thirty student organizations to participate in.
Mission: The Dietetic Internship will prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to be nutrition experts, leaders and advocates through nutritional sciences and interprofessional education, research and promotion of the nutritional well-being of diverse communities.
Program Goal #1: The program will prepare graduates to be competent entry-level dietitians.
Objectives:
Program Goal #2: The program will prepare graduates to advocate for nutrition and demonstrate leadership through their contributions to the dietetic profession.
Objectives:
Program outcome data are available upon request.
First Year Sept.-Aug. |
Second Year Sept.-April |
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Tuition | $38,000 | TBD |
Insurance Allowance | $4,163 | ~$2,700 |
Housing Allowances (varies with occupancy/location) |
$18,000 | $12,000 |
Meetings /Seminars | $200 | $250 (exam review course) |
Books/Supplies (including lab coats, shoes) |
$650 | $400 |
ServSafe certification (if not recently completed) |
$15 | |
Thesis publication costs | $100/optional |
The Office of Financial Aid is available to assist students who qualify for financial aid through the University. Consult the University Catalog, Financial Aid section for more information. www.rushu.rush.edu/rush-experience/student-services/office-student-financial-aid
The Academic Calendar can be found at: https://www.rushu.rush.edu/rush-experience/student-services/office-registrar/academic-calendars . The Master of Science/Dietetic Internship program calendar is defined under the College of Health Sciences with some special designations pertaining to Clinical Nutrition.
Supervised practice and graduate work occur concurrently throughout the program. Supervised practice begins fall semester with Food Service Management.
Clinical Nutrition rotations start the first spring semester and continue during the second fall and second spring semesters. Community nutrition supervised practice will take place during the summer semester. Clinical rotations are scheduled Monday through Friday.
Clinical Nutrition Plan of Study
Students must successfully pass and complete all of the required supervised practice rotations and DI coursework. This must be accomplished within the required 150% of time planned for the completion of the DI. Verification Statements will be granted at the end of the program when required hours, rotation competencies/requirements and DI coursework are successfully completed.
Job opportunities for alumni are numerous and diverse because of increasing public awareness about the strong relationship between nutrition and health. Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to increase 21 percent through 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The M.S. in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Internship program is fully accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics: 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400.
“The faculty and preceptors are amazing!”
“I really enjoyed how the internship and classes were completed simultaneously. Additionally, I liked how the majority of our experience was done at Rush’s main campus. This ensured qualified, experienced, and consistent preceptors.”
“The program provided me with the resources and opportunities to excel in the academic setting as well as clinically. There are a lot of opportunities available within this program that makes it unique.”
“I would definitely recommend this program to any potential student. Being at Rush pushed me out of my comfort zone, but provided substantial opportunities and immense growth. The ability to gain exposure in so many disciplines and learning from experienced dietitians is invaluable.”
Institutions are required to make public whether a program is designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification that is required for employment in an occupation or is advertised as meeting such requirements. Institutions are required to make public, for each state, whether the completion of that program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements in a state for that occupation, did not meet requirements or has not made a determination. These requirements apply to all programs offered via all modalities (distance education and not).
Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicum/internship as well as pre-qualifications for licensure such as the need for a criminal background check. We highly recommend that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum. Many licensure boards have additional requirements beyond successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Changes in requirements can impact the program’s ability to meet educational requirements for licensure. Enrolled and prospective students are strongly encouraged to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements. The College will periodically review the state requirements. The College of Health Sciences disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny a student’s application.
Link, by State | Does this program meet the requirements? | |
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Alabama |
YES |
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Alaska |
YES |
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Arizona |
N/A state does not license this specific profession |
N/A |
Arkansas |
YES |
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California |
N/A state does not license this specific profession |
N/A |
Colorado |
YES |
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Connecticut |
YES |
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Delaware |
YES |
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Florida |
YES |
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Georgia |
YES |
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Hawaii |
YES |
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Idaho |
YES |
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Illinois |
YES |
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Indiana |
YES |
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Iowa |
YES |
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Kansas |
YES |
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Kentucky |
YES |
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Louisiana |
YES |
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Maine |
YES |
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Maryland |
YES |
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Massachusetts |
YES |
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Michigan |
N/A state does not license this specific profession |
N/A |
Minnesota |
YES |
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Mississippi |
YES |
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Missouri |
YES |
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Montana |
YES |
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Nebraska |
YES |
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Nevada |
YES |
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New Hampshire |
YES |
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New Jersey |
In review by the state. |
TBD |
New Mexico |
YES |
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New York |
YES |
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North Carolina |
YES |
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North Dakota |
YES |
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Ohio |
YES |
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Oklahoma |
YES |
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Oregon |
YES |
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Pennsylvania |
YES |
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Rhode Island |
YES |
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South Carolina |
YES |
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South Dakota |
YES |
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Tennessee |
YES |
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Texas |
YES |
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Utah |
YES |
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Vermont |
YES |
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Virginia |
YES |
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Washington |
YES |
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West Virginia |
YES |
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Wisconsin |
YES |
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Wyoming |
YES |