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Mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition

The mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program is to prepare individuals for leadership roles in the field of nutrition, to advance knowledge and expand skills that promote excellence and innovation in all areas of nutrition practice, and to emphasize evidence-based best practices to support the well-being and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through education, research, and scholarship.

Mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition, dietetics PATHWAY

The mission of the �Ӱ���Ƶ Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program is to prepare individuals for leadership roles in the field of nutrition, to advance knowledge and expand skills that promote excellence and innovation in all areas of nutrition practice, and to emphasize evidence-based best practices to support the well-being and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through education, research, and scholarship.

The Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Dietetics pathway provides a verification statement upon successful completion of program requirements, which prepares graduates for practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) after passing the national registration exam.

Regional Accreditation

All programs at the University of New England are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Specialized Accreditation

The University of New England Master of Science in Applied Nutrition, Dietetics focus is Fully Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education (ACEND) in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400.

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 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: .

In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited graduate program of Master of Science in Applied Nutrition, Dietetics Focus at The University of New England are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice.

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program goals

Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:

• Interpret, evaluate, communicate and apply complex nutrition concepts to a wide variety of individuals, communities, and organizations.
• Use evidence-based knowledge to inform best practices in nutrition professions.
• Provide leadership and innovation to the nutrition profession, facilitating the growth and application of best practices in the field to our region and globally.
• Utilize theories of health behavior and the translation of theory into practice as a valuable tool in public health, community, and clinical nutrition settings.

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition, Dietetics PATHWAY goals

In addition to the above, dietetics-pathway graduates will:

• Be competent practitioners that are equipped to pass the RDN exam, that are ethical and skilled in patient care, and that are competitively employable in the field.
• Use evidence-based knowledge to inform best practices in nutrition professions and Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Objectives in support of the goals of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program

Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:

• Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives.
• Apply core research principles to measure the nutrition status and environment of individuals and communities.
• Develop communications and collaboration strategies with representatives from government, non-profit, community, and business entities regarding nutrition initiatives.
• Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences.
• Research, develop, and disseminate evidence-based and theory-driven educational materials and work products at an audience-appropriate level for topics related to nutrition and health promotion.

Degree Pathways

There are four (4) degree pathways that allow the Masters of Science in Applied Nutrition students to concentrate on growing areas of the nutrition industry and to pursue an educational pathway that best addresses their personal and professional needs. Within the Generalist Pathway, there are focus area-specific objectives based on the student’s chosen focus area and are listed below.

Degree Pathway: Generalist, Applied Nutrition

Students selecting the Generalist Pathway will develop skills in and an understanding of multiple competency areas of nutrition study and practice, dependent on their individualized course of study. This option allows the student to take the requisite first-year classes, and then diversify their educational plan of study to best meet their personal and professional needs.

Focus Area: Non-diet Approaches to Health Promotion

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

• Define and explain key concepts related to overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences.
• Describe the prevalence of and trends in overweight/obesity.
• Develop materials to combat the impacts of overweight/obesity.
• Analyze and communicate the medical, psychosocial, and economic costs associated with overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences.
• Compare overweight/obesity prevention and treatment approaches to evaluate their efficacy at the individual and community levels.
• Propose and communicate new approaches to combat the incidence of overweight/obesity for a variety of audiences based on an analysis of existing policy and regulations.

Focus Area: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

• Analyze nutrition research literature to apply it to nutrition practice.
• Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition information to a variety of audiences.
• Apply theories of health behavior in nutrition practice settings.
• Analyze and communicate research in nutrition-related disease prevention and progression to a wide variety of audiences.
• Design and implement nutrition and wellness research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports.

Focus Area: Sustainable Nutrition

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

• Assess current regional and global agricultural policies and practices in relation to environmental stewardship, human health, and food justice.
• Analyze nutrition, food systems, and agricultural literature to apply it to nutrition practice, education, and advocacy.
• Evaluate the environmental sustainability of traditional and current diets worldwide and how they can meet nutritional needs while lessening environmental impacts.
• Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition and food systems information to a variety of audiences.
• Design and implement nutrition and food systems research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports.

Degree Pathway: Dietetics Focus

• At least 80% of graduates who respond to the “Alumni Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating they were adequately prepared to be an effective RDN practitioner in their first post-graduate professional position.
• At least 80% of employers who respond to the “Employer Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating the graduates demonstrated ethical behavior and cultural competency in all areas of nutrition and interprofessional practice in their first post-graduate professional position.
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to the “Alumni Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating they were able to communicate evidence-based research in nutrition to a wide variety of audiences in their first post-graduate professional position.
• At least 80% of employers who respond to the “Employer Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating the graduates were able to communicate evidence-based research in nutrition to a wide variety of audiences in their first post-graduate professional position.

ACEND Required Objectives

• Program Completion: At least 80% of program graduates complete program/degree requirements within three (3) years (150% of the program length).
• Graduate Employment: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within twelve (12) months of graduation.

Employer Satisfaction: At least 80% of employers who respond to the “Employer Survey” will select “strongly agree” or “agree” indicating graduates were prepared for entry-level practice.

Graduate Performance on Registration Exam

• At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within twelve (12) months of program completion.
• The program’s one (1)-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one (1) year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 

Program outcomes data measuring success against these objectives is available upon request. Please contact the MSAN Assistant Program Director/Director of Dietetics Focus for further information.

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition (MSAN) Core courses

Focus Areas

Focus Area: Non-diet Approaches for Health Promotion