This program is designed for both working professionals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are returning for further education and also for continuing students who have just graduated with their bachelor’s degree. Many of our students have the career goal of becoming Registered Dietitian Nutritionists or already hold this credential. To meet the prerequisites for our courses, a bachelor's degree in nutrition, healthcare, or another science-related field is a good idea.

The Master of Science in Clinical & Community Nutrition is offered in two formats: in-person or 100% online. Students enrolled in the in-person program may elect to take some online classes if desired, but students enrolled in the online program cannot take in-person classes due to the fee structure.

No. Students may elect to complete a thesis with our world class research faculty if they wish, but it is not required for the program.

As of January 1, 2024, to be eligible for the RDN exam, a student must earn a master’s degree, complete specific coursework as outlined by ACEND, and complete 1000 hours of experiential learning in an accredited dietetic internship. MS in Clinical & Community Nutrition coursework alone does not meet all of these requirements.

If you wish to sit for this exam but do not already hold a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND-accredited didactic dietetics program, you may request to fulfill the missing requirements in our on-campus program. Contact Dr. Justine Karduck at karduck@illinois.edu for more information about this route. We also offer in-person or distance dietetic internship options.

Dietetic Internship

The program can be completed in one academic year if 16 credit hours are taken in both the fall and spring semesters, or if transfer credit is applied. If you wish to take courses part-time, the program will take longer and can be self-paced for up to five years.

Our tuition is competitive with equivalent programs.

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No. The GRE is no longer required for admission to any of the Food Science & Human Nutrition department’s graduate programs.

Yes. Up to 12 hours of coursework can be transferred from an undergraduate degree or from another institution if it was completed at the graduate level within the past 5 years, at least a B was earned in the course, and it was not used to complete a previous degree. Each course requires departmental approval for transfer.

The MS in Clinical & Community Nutrition requires 32 hrs of coursework, including 13 hrs of required courses and 19 hrs of electives. There is significant flexibility in elective options to allow students to specialize in areas of particular interest.

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The University of Illinois has a prestigious and diverse faculty. You will learn from leading research scientists in biochemical nutrition, as well as Registered Dietitian experts in clinical and community nutrition. Some specialty courses may be taught by our interdisciplinary collaborators or adjunct faculty who are recognized experts in their field. They are capable of bringing the most up-to-date real-world experience to the classroom.

The University of Illinois is a highly-ranked research university with a history of success in nutrition and dietetics education. You will have access to one of the nation’s largest research libraries to enhance your studies.

This program can be taken 100% online and completed in one to five years. Another strength of this program is the breadth of elective options to allow the program to be tailored to individual career goals.