Meredith College

What you'll study

Coursework and practical experiences vary by track. Common curriculum themes across options include personal and community nutrition, food security, sustainable food systems, contemporary research, and food systems management. Specific track models described by the programme:

• MS‑DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics): Designed for students with a BS (with or without a food & nutrition major) who need a DPD Verification Statement to qualify for a dietetic internship. Non‑science undergraduates may be admitted after completing required prerequisite courses before entry.
• MS‑ADNT (Accelerated Dietitian Nutritionist Track): For applicants from any undergraduate background who have met prerequisites; integrates didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning so graduates are eligible to sit for the CDR credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
• Advanced Career Track (ACT): Targets non‑clinical professionals, career changers, and registered dietitians seeking an advanced degree; focuses on community nutrition, sustainable systems, management, and applied research. An accelerated 1‑year ACT option is available fully online.

Hands‑on learning opportunities cited by the programme include an on‑site organic garden, a state‑of‑the‑art food lab, a high‑fidelity patient simulator, and study abroad options (for example, a site in Sansepolcro, Italy).

Entry requirements

Admissions policies vary by track. GRE scores are optional and not required for admission consideration. For pathways leading to the DI or RDN eligibility, applicants must meet prerequisite course requirements: the DI requires a DPD Verification Statement from an ACEND‑accredited program prior to applying. MS‑DPD admits students holding a BS degree (with additional prerequisite completion if the undergraduate degree is non‑science). MS‑ADNT admits applicants from any undergraduate major who have completed required prerequisites.

Career prospects

Graduates who complete the MS‑ADNT are eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to pursue RDN licensure. Students who complete the MS‑DPD receive a DPD Verification Statement enabling application to a dietetic internship. Meredith’s DI reports strong outcomes: a 94% pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam for dietetic interns across traditional and site preceptor pathways, and the institution cites a 100% match rate to a Dietetic Internship for nine consecutive years. The Advanced Career Track suits those seeking leadership, program design, food systems, community nutrition, or research roles rather than direct clinical practice.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Meredith highlights competitive pricing and offers financial assistance options; applicants should consult the programme for specific scholarship, assistantship, or funding opportunities. The college emphasizes community partnerships and individualized advising as resources that may support students’ professional development and practicum placements.