M.S. in Health Sciences, Dietetics concentration
A Master of Science degree may be pursued with a major in health sciences and a concentration in dietetics. The program includes coursework in advanced nutritional biochemistry, applied nutrition, and research methods. Students must plan, conduct, and publish a research project. Students who want to study in the area of nutrition but have a limited background will need to fulfill prerequisite requirements in nutrition, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and statistics prior to full admission to the program.
Dietetics concentration requirements
M.S. in Health Sciences, Nutrition and Physical Activity concentration
A Master of Science degree may be pursued with a major in health sciences and a concentration in nutrition and physical activity. For students desiring an intensive program, the 33 credit hour master's program includes an interdisciplinary didactic program and six hours of research. The program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in dietetics, kinesiology, or a related area. Dietetics and kinesiology courses at the graduate level have prerequisites at the undergraduate level. This concentration may be used in the Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship program, provided that all didactic program in dietetics requirements have been completed prior to entry into the program.
Nutrition and Physical Activity concentration requirements
Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program (MS/DI)
This program includes graduate education as outlined above and supervised practice experience to provide the skills necessary for professional practice in dietetics. Students will acquire new knowledge through coursework and research and will apply that advanced knowledge to dietetic practice in a supervised setting. An advanced, in-depth education in nutrition enhanced by developing research and problem-solving skills will enable graduates to enter the profession at a higher level of function.
Students with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition or a related field who meet American Dietetic Association (ADA) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements are eligible for admission to the combined MS/DI program. Students with a BS in a related field may have appropriate background for graduate study in nutrition. However, it is necessary to complete all requirements of a DPD prior to application to the DI. The department has a CADE-accredited undergraduate program to facilitate completion of DPD requirements. Certain courses may be taken at the graduate level to meet these requirements.
The MS/DI at James Madison University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. The James Madison University Dietetic Internship participates in a preselection process in addition to the computer matching process. In the preselection process, the program can select 3 current graduate students per academic year who have met the DI admission requirements. The remaining number of positions for the incoming class will be filled through the computer matching process. For those current graduate students who plan to participate in the preselect process, the second Friday in January is the postmark deadline for applications. The applicant will be notified on or before February 1 confirming their acceptance status through the preselect process. By February 1, the Program Director will provide D&D Digital Systems, Inc. the name and social security numbers of all preselected applicants to ensure that these individuals do not participate in the computer match.
If the applicant is not selected through the preselect process, they may reapply to the James Madison University DI or any other DI through the computer matching process. The deadline for submission of applications to DI programs and submission of the computer matching mark/sense cards and fee to D&D Digital Systems Inc. for the April 2008 computer match is February 15, 2008.
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)
American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
The MS/DI program is designed so that students take a full credit load (9-12 hours) of classes during the first year on the JMU campus prior to the dietetic internship rotations. All M.S. degree requirements, including prerequisite courses, research and the comprehensive exam must be completed prior to the start of the internship rotations. Most of the graduate classes in dietetics are offered in the evening.
The dietetic internship involves six months of supervised practice in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and food service management. Rotations are completed at one of five practice sites, which are varying distances from the James Madison University campus.
Upon completion of the supervised practice competencies and all requirements for the M.S. degree, graduates will receive a signed Verification Statement and may apply for eligibility to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Application Procedure:
Students will apply to the Dietetic Internship and the Master of Science program in Health Sciences (concentration in Dietetics) at the same time. All required materials must be submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
To be considered for the combined MS/DI program, complete applications must be received by February 15. Online applications are preferred. Mailed applications for graduate admission must be sent to The Graduate School, MSC 6702, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.
Application forms are available at http://www.jmu.edu/grad/ and application may be made on line. Sealed transcripts of all previous college and university work can be included with the mailed application (preferred) or sent directly to The Graduate School. A complete graduate application includes:
- The Graduate School application (prefer that it be completed on line)
- An official transcript in sealed envelope from EVERY college or university attended
- Official results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) sent directly from the testing agency
- A $55.00 check made payable to James Madison University (may be paid by credit card if applying on line).
The Dietetic Internship application packet must be postmarked by February 15 and sent to Dr. Cynthia Cadieux, Department of Health Sciences, MSC 4301, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.
A complete DI application packet must contain the following items:
- Completed dietetic internship application (found at http://www.depdpg.org)
- Signed DPD Verification Statement (with month, day and year of DPD completion) or Intent to Complete DPD form,
- A typewritten statement of educational objectives and professional goals (2 pages, double spaced, maximum)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation which include the ADA standard recommendation form AND a separate statement of the applicant's suitability for graduate study. Letters must be in a sealed envelope with the signature of the author across the back flap
- An official transcript in sealed envelope from EVERY college or university attended
- A photocopy of official GRE scores (official results of the GRE must be sent directly to The Graduate School)
- A $30.00 check made payable to The Department of Health Sciences/JMU.
All applicants must participate in computer matching through D&D Digital Systems. Applicants should obtain instructions and a mark/sense card to prioritize their internship preferences from their DPD Director or D&D Digital. This request should be made far enough in advance to allow turn around time for submitting by the February 15 postmark deadline. D&D Digital charges a fee for computer matching that is due with the applicant's prioritized ranking. Address requests to: D&D Digital Systems, Suite 301, 304 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010-6148.
Minimum requirements for admission to the M.S./Dietetic Internship program at James Madison University are a 2.8 overall GPA, a 3.0 GPA in major courses, plus a combined minimum score of 800 on the verbal and quantitative sections, and a minimum score 3.5 on the analytical writing section of the Graduate Record Exam. Information about the GRE may be obtained from: Educational Testing Service, Box 1025, Berkeley, CA 94701 or Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540 or online at http://www.gre.org.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For more information regarding the DI email: Cynthia Cadieux
