Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

Coursework and supervised practice integrate clinical care, community nutrition and applied projects. Example courses and learning experiences listed by the program include:

• Academic courses such as Nutrition and Poverty, Weight Management, Nutrition and Integrative Medicine, and Nutrition Research.
• Clinical rotations covering areas including cardiac, endocrinology, intensive care, oncology, pediatric, renal, surgical, and general medical.
• An outpatient counseling rotation to apply clinical knowledge in counseling settings.
• Culinary rotation in year two offering a culinary nutrition certificate through To Taste, focusing on practical cooking skills, food preparation for dietary restrictions, and low-cost meal strategies.
• Community-engaged work with local food banks: research, feeding programs and cultural needs assessment.
• Optional two-week Uganda missional practicum (WAM program) collaborating with Hope Speaks on feeding, caregiver education, nutrition assessments and distribution of a locally produced high-calorie, high-protein supplement.
• Optional short choice rotations (1–2 weeks) available but not counted toward the 1,120 required hours.

Entry requirements

Applicants must apply through DICAS. Minimum application requirements stated by the program are:

• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
• Completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements from an ACEND-accredited program and submission of an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete a DPD.
• Submission of three letters of recommendation and official transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related field from a regionally accredited institution (transcripts in or translated to English).
• A personal statement addressing short- and long-term professional goals, how faith informs professional work, experiences working with individuals facing poverty or homelessness and related philosophy, and reasons for applying to this ACU M.S. program.

Career prospects

The program is structured to prepare graduates for eligibility to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians and to work as entry-level registered dietitians across clinical, community and foodservice settings. Clinical rotations and outpatient counseling experience support readiness for roles in hospitals, outpatient clinics and community nutrition programs; the culinary certificate and community work can support positions in culinary nutrition, public health nutrition, and program-based feeding initiatives.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program notes that financial aid may be available for qualifying students. In addition to tuition and program fees, the handbook is referenced for detailed cost estimates and guidance on distance education technology requirements; the program also mentions that the Uganda WAM trip cost is substantially discounted and largely covered by the WAM program.