Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics, 36 credits
Graduate Students in the Department of Nutrition and Health Science can earn a Master of Science or a Master of Arts in Nutrition and Dietetics. The graduate degree options are designed to provide individualization and flexibility for students with varying needs and interests, with an emphasis in Medical Nutrition Therapy. The graduate program includes and ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. With the exception of candidates who are currently a registered dietician nutritionist (RD/RDN), only candidates cleared by the Graduate School and accepted into the Dietetic Internship Program are accepted into the Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Program. All students apply initially to the MA: Nutrition and Dietetics program; thesis students will be changed into the MS tract once their thesis topic is approved by the Graduate School.
Admission requirements
Prior to being considered for admission to the Department of Nutrition and Health Science, all applicants must apply to, meet the admission requirements of, and be cleared by the Ball State University Graduate School. Students who begin the program in summer or fall must apply by March 1; students who begin the graduate program in spring must apply by October 1 of the preceding year. All applicants must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants must provide either: 1) an original, signed Verification of Completion Statement from the Didactic Program in Dietetics director of an ACEND-accredited program or 2) proof of current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All previous coursework is subject to the Dietetic Internship Coursework Recency Policy (5 years).
For candidates pursuing the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) credential, once clear by the Graduate School, the Dietetic Internship application materials will be used as the graduate program application materials. There are two national matches each year, with approximate deadlines the second week of February and the fourth week of September.
Candidates who currently hold Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) status are encouraged to apply. These candidates must submit a letter of intent, a resume, and two letters of recommendation, preferably using the Graduate School’s online system, directly to the Department of Nutrition and Health Science Graduate Program Director.
Dietetic Internship
The dietetic internship at Ball State University is a 32-week, full-time program that begins in January and May of each year. Students accepted into the internship program at Ball State University will have the opportunity to complete the requirements of the dietetic internship and at least 18 credits toward the completion of a master’s degree. The dietetic internship is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040.
Graduate Students in the Department of Nutrition and Health Science can earn a Master of Science or a Master of Arts in Nutrition and Dietetics. The graduate degree options are designed to provide individualization and flexibility for students with varying needs and interests, with an emphasis in Medical Nutrition Therapy. The graduate program includes and ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. With the exception of candidates who are currently a registered dietician nutritionist (RD/RDN), only candidates cleared by the Graduate School and accepted into the Dietetic Internship Program are accepted into the Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Program. All students apply initially to the MA: Nutrition and Dietetics program; thesis students will be changed into the MS tract once their thesis topic is approved by the Graduate School.