The EXNS - Nutrition and Wellness concentration, in conjunction with the coordinated program in Dietetics, is requesting 18 credit hours (6 classes) to be considered for the Early Bird program due to the nature of the Master’s program. By allowing selected students to take 9 credit hours each semester of their Senior year, it allows these students to complete their Master’s degree within two years.

This request is being made in part due ACEND (the accrediting agency of the Dietetics Master’s program), which has recently required (2023-2024) students studying to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) to obtain a Master’s degree to become certified and practice in the field. As such, this has increased the number of course hours that students who wish to become RDs by approximately 45 credit hours. Included in those hours are 18 credit hours of supervised practice immersive courses that are required by ACEND.

The Dietetics Master’s program has gone through the ACEND accreditation process, which would allow this proposal to go into effect in Fall 2025.

This proposal for 18 hours was discussed and approved during a Grad Council meeting earlier in the Spring semester.