Why MS/DI?

Per the CDR 2024 Graduate Degree Requirement, after January 1, 2024, dietetic interns must complete all requirements of the dietetic internship and successfully complete a graduate program to receive a DI verification statement and to be eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians.

We have two pathways that interns may pursue to meet these requirements:

MS/DI Pathway

For applicants who are just graduating from their undergrad, are interested in applying to one of our 7 MS/DI partners, and want to complete their MS and DI together.

DI-Only Pathway

For applicants who already have or are pursuing a master’s degree at the time of application, or are planning to apply to a program that is not a BWS DI MS program partner. Learn about the DI-Only Pathway here.

MS/DI Program Partners

We are proud to have 7 online master’s program partners dedicated to providing interns with knowledge and professional skills that will ensure success in the practice of dietetics.

An overview of our MS partners and their requirements, timeline, and other important information can be found at the links below. We recommend that you look over this information carefully, as programs vary in their area of concentration, length, completion requirements, deadlines, etc.

University/College Name Degree Received Credits Tracks Offered Length to Complete MS and DI
Arizona State University Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics 30 None 21 months (Spring Cycle)

18 months (Fall Cycle)

Benedictine University Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics 33 Nutrition Entrepreneurship

Health Education

21 months (Spring Cycle)

17 months (Fall Cycle)

Cedar Crest College* Master in Nutrition 24 (with PLA) Practicum or Thesis 18 months (Spring Cycle)

17 months (Fall Cycle)

Modular Master of Science (Business) 18 (with PLA) Health Management

Diversity & Women Leadership

Strategic Leadership & Analytics

18 months (Spring Cycle)

17 months (Fall Cycle)

Master in Integrative and Exercise Science 24 (with PLA) Exercise Science 18 months (Spring Cycle)

17 months (Fall Cycle)

Penn State University Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Sciences 30-39 None 28 months (Spring Cycle)

28 months (Fall Cycle)

Simmons University* Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion 31-32 Research

Entrepreneurial

21 months (Spring Cycle)

24 months (Fall Cycle)

University of Alabama Master of Science in Human Nutrition 30 General

Community

Clinical

18 months
West Chester University Master of Science in Community Nutrition 33 None 23 months (Spring Cycle)

26 months (Fall Cycle)

Admission and Application Requirements

There are two steps to applying for BWS DI’s MS/DI Pathway:

  • 1

    Apply to one or more of our MS program partners.

  • 2

    Apply to BWS DI through DICAS. Instructions for how to apply to the dietetic internship can be found here.

Please note that the application instructions provided on each page are specific to the BWS DI MS/DI pathway and may differ from what you see on the individual program websites. You may send an email to bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com if you have questions about our MS partners or are interested in learning more.

*There is no separate master’s program application for Simmons University or Cedar Crest College. Rather, applicants may use the same DICAS materials that they submit to BWS DI to apply to these programs. Applicants will be required to submit a Release of Information Form (email to bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com) along with their Program Plan (submitted via DICAS). Please visit the program pages for more information.

FAQs

None of the programs that BWS DI is partnered with require the GRE. For more information about each program’s admission and application instructions and deadlines, please visit their program pages.

In addition to applying to a master’s program, applicants are required to apply to BWS DI through DICAS. Click here for more information about our DI application process.

Please note that the application instructions provided on each page are specific to the BWS DI MS/DI pathway and may differ from what you see on the individual program websites. You may send an email to bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com if you have questions about our MS partners or are interested in learning more.

Due 1 month before Orientation, BWS DI requires proof of admission with a letter of acceptance or other documentation provided by the MS program. Proof of admission may be emailed to bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com. If available before the DICAS application deadline, the proof of admission must be submitted with the Program Plan.

Applicants applying to the MS/DI pathway must align their rotation schedule dates with the MS/DI curriculum timeline for the graduate program that they are applying for. Each curriculum timeline may be found on the program pages that are linked above, and other important dates for the MS/DI pathway may be found here.

BWS DI’s MS program partners are not the only options that applicants have for pursuing a master’s degree during the dietetic internship. Applicants may pursue a different master’s program that BWS DI is not partnered with.

The master’s degree program does not need to be in nutrition or dietetics for interns to become eligible to take the RD exam. For example, you may pursue an MPH, MBA, or another area of interest. As a reminder, applicants must provide BWS DI with proof of acceptance into the chosen MS program before Orientation.

Applicants who choose a master’s program that is outside of our MS program partners will apply to BWS DI through our DI-Only Pathway. More information about the DI-Only Pathway can be found here.

Check out more FAQs here.

Questions?

Our program faculty are happy to answer any questions that you have and provide support throughout the application process. Please send any questions to bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com or schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor via Calendly.

Still not sure which pathway is right for you? Take our quiz to find out!