100% RDN Exam Pass Rate

Aligned with the mission of the Boston University Programs in Nutrition, the mission of the Boston University DPD is to prepare students with the foundational knowledge and skills for dietetics practice.

Goal 1

BU DPD graduates will enter supervised practice, a graduate program or employment in a food or health-related field.

Objectives

1. At least 80% of full-time students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length). At least 80% of part-time students complete program requirements within 4.5 years (150% of planned program length). 
2. At least 40% percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation. ​
3. Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50% percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
4. Of program graduates who apply to a graduate program, at least 20% percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation. ​
5. Of program graduates who apply for a food or health-related position, at least 20% percent will begin employment within 12 months of graduation.​

Goal 2

BU DPD graduates will be competent dietetic interns, graduate students, or entry-level food or health-related professionals.

Objectives

1. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. ​
2. At least 80% of graduates entering supervised practice programs upon completion of the BU DPD will receive a score of ‘average’ or above preparation on a survey of supervised practice directors sent one year after graduation (out of the total number of surveys received).
3. ‘At least 80% of graduates responding to a one-year graduation survey regarding adequacy of academic preparation for supervised practice, a graduate degree program, or employment in a food or health-related field will report ‘average’ or above preparation (out of the total number of surveys received.

• In-person program
• Coursework to deepen foundation in human nutrition science and nutrition metabolism
• Clinical concentration to hone counseling techniques, sharpen medical nutrition therapy and nutrition assessment skills in our state-of-the-art clinical simulation center, and prepare students to get the most out of supervised practice
• Research experiences to inform evidence-based nutrition practice
• A semester-long practicum course designed to customize your experience to an area of interest. This is required for the BU MS/DI. It is optional for the BU MS + Partnership DI programs.
• Cross-college Interprofessional Education Program

The full-time supervised practice component of the MS/DI, also referred to as the DI, begins after successful completion of the The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program and at least 32 graduate-level credits, including all core coursework, for students in compliance with all BU Nutrition Program Standards. The DI is not offered as a free-standing DI program.

• 29-week, full-time experience
• All preceptors and rotations arranged by the program
• Our strong clinical foundation prepares students for every area of practice. Students observe and apply skills in a comprehensive range of settings including clinical, community, and food service management with a focus on the acute-care setting, treating a variety of patients, including medical, surgical, cardiac, oncology, diabetic, renal, and critically ill.
• Interns engage with people across the lifespan, from children to aging adults.
• Students master critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills in preparation for the RDN exam and employment as an RDN.

Academic Calendar

Students will observe the university calendar during the graduate coursework.

DI Calendar

During the full-time supervised practice component of the program, rotations may occur during University holidays. The following days are holidays for the interns.

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• One floating holiday of your choice

In addition to one floating holiday, interns will have two personal days.

Each DI Cohort has a 1 week of vacation added to their 29 week DI rotation schedule. The vacation week for the January cohort is scheduled during BU’s Spring Break. For the June cohort, it’s scheduled during Thanksgiving week for the June cohort.

DI Schedule

The specific schedule for the DI rotations will be given to the student during or prior to the first week of the internship. In most cases, the intern’s hours will be scheduled Monday through Friday. There may be evening or weekend clinics/experiences that are required.

Aligned with the mission of the Boston University Programs in Nutrition, the mission of the Boston University MS/DI program is to prepare students to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) committed to lifelong learning.

Goal 1

BU MS/DI graduates will become competent entry-level RDNs.

Objectives

1. At least 80% of full-time interns complete program requirements within 18 months (150% of planned program length). At least 80% of part-time interns complete program requirements within 36 months (150% of planned program length). 
2. Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. 
3. At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
4. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 
5. Each year, at least 10% of those employers who hire our graduates will be surveyed. Of those surveyed, at least 80% of graduates will be found to possess satisfactory entry level skills. 

Goal 2

BU MS/DI graduates will demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning by pursuing post-graduate professional development.  

Objectives

1. At least 80% of the graduates of the program who return surveys will maintain their RDN status five years after graduation. 
2. Five years after completion of the program, at least 50% of the graduates who returned surveys will demonstrate involvement in professional activities. 

Students are notified of their DI placements during the semester before the DI begins.

Student input and career goals are heavily weighed, in addition to learning style, clinical aptitude, and proficiency. Final placement decisions are determined by the nutrition faculty and approved by the DI site prior to student notification.

Our training sites offer a range of geographic areas, size, medical acuity, and specialties to encompass the diverse needs and goals of our students. Our sites offer dedicated preceptors for direct mentorship and up to date clinical training.

DI sites include major teaching hospitals and community hospitals in the greater Boston area, including:

• Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham (Needham, MA)
• BILH – Beth Israel-Lahey Hospital and Medical Center (Burlington, MA)
• BILH – Beverly Hospital (Beverly, MA)
• BILH – Mount Auburn Hospital (Cambridge, MA)
• BILH – Winchester Hospital (Winchester, MA)
• Boston Medical Center (BMC) – Boston (Boston, MA)
• BMC – Brighton (Brighton, MA)
• BMC – South (Brockton, MA)
• Emerson Hospital (Concord, MA)
• Lawrence General Hospital (Lawrence, MA)
• Mass General Brigham Newton Wellesley Hospital (Newton, MA)
• UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center (Milford, MA)
• UMass Memorial Health UMass Memorial Medical Center (Worcester, MA)
• UMass Memorial Health HealthAlliance – Clinton Hospital (Clinton, MA)

Additional training sites include:

• BU Athletics
• BU Dining Services
• BU Sargent Choice Nutrition Center
• Boston College Athletics
• Boston Red Sox
• Cambridge Eating Disorder Center
• Community centers and clinics
• Dialysis treatment centers
• Fransiscan Children’s Hospital
• Green Bay Packers
• Local schools
• Monte Nido/Walden Behavioral Care
• Northwestern University Athletics
• Private Practice RDNs
• Renfrew Eating Disorders Center
• Spaulding Rehabilitation Center

All rotations and preceptors arranged by BU
Full-time Supervised Practice	29 weeks
Clinical Nutrition – Inpatient acute care rotations – Outpatient counseling rotation – Staff relief rotation	21 weeks
Community Nutrition	1 week
Food Service Management	4 weeks
Pediatrics – Inpatient, outpatient, or community	2 weeks
Elective	1 week
Vacation – Not included in 29 weeks of training	1 week

Transportation needs vary for DI sites, with some accessible by public transportation and others requiring a car. Sites may be located up to 60 miles from campus. Each student should be prepared to provide their own transportation and all costs associated with it to sites not accessible by public transportation.

Students in Sargent College’s DPD/MS/DI program are required to participate in clinical education experiences as a part of the program curricula. To ensure eligibility for participation in clinical placements, students may be required to meet specific site-based compliance requirements.

These may include, but are not limited to:

• Criminal background checks
  • History of a criminal background may disqualify students from participating in these experiences which are required for successful completion of the degree program.
• Drug screening for federally prohibited substances
  • Students with valid prescriptions that may result in a positive test should be prepared to provide appropriate documentation.
• Documentation of standard immunizations or vaccinations (e.g., MMR, TB, flu, COVID-19)

These requirements are determined by the partnering clinical sites and are necessary for placement approval. Students are responsible for completing all mandated compliance steps by the deadlines provided. Failure to do so may result in a delay or inability to participate in clinical placements, which can impact academic progression.

The institution does not guarantee the availability of alternative placements for students unable or unwilling to meet site-specific compliance requirements.

There may be some clinical placements are not available to students who are non-US citizens.

• The DI is a six-credit course requiring tuition payment as well as a nonrefundable $1,000 fee to the internship site. See our tuition and fees page for more information.
• Students are responsible for all expenses related to clinical education including travel-related expenses and placement specific costs. Travel-related costs include access to a car or car-ride service as not all placement sites are accessible via public transportation.
• Additional placement costs (up to approximately $125 per placement) may include fingerprinting, lab coat or scrubs purchase, etc.
• Students are responsible for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership fee.

Questions regarding requirements for specific sites should be directed to clined@bu.edu or the Clinical Education Services Office at Sargent College, in Room 218.

• All admitted students are guaranteed a minimum $10,000 merit scholarship (2025-26 application year).
• All applicants are considered for graduate assistantships. No additional application is required.
• Additional paid positions are available.
• Learn more about financial aid, scholarships, and other student employment opportunities.
• Graduate students are eligible to apply for federal loan deferment. Please email sargaid@bu.edu for more information.

The DPD/MS/DI program is designated as a STEM-eligible degree by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. International students on F-1 visas may qualify for a 24-month OPT extension. 

More information about STEM OPT eligibility is available from the BU International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).

Technology plays an integral role during coursework and the DI. Students are responsible for all expenses related to these technology requirements.

• A laptop with camera and microphone are required. See BU’s Student Laptop Recommendations to ensure adequate computing power to use applications required during the graduate program.
• Students must be proficient in basic computer skills, including e-mail, web browsing, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and other common applications and be capable of learning and using R- statistical package to analyze public health related data, electronic health records to provide nutrition care, and Blackboard Learn, which is BU’s Learning Management System.
• BU’s IT Help Center and Blackboard support service is available to provide technology assistance by emailing ithelp@bu.edu.

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by ACEND.

Many states—including Massachusetts—also require RDN/NDTR licensure or certification to practice.

Learn more on the CDR Licensure Requirements page.

Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers programs leading to licensure at the graduate level. Students in licensure programs or interested in obtaining licensure should review their program’s Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements. This document provides information about Sargent College’s state-approved programs and how the educational requirements compare with those in other states.

📍 ACEND: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
📞 800-877-1600 ext. 5400
🔗 Visit the ACEND Website