MPH Nutrition with coordinated program in Dietetics

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree curriculum in Nutrition and Dietetics enables students to meet the didactic and supervised practice requirements for registration eligibility in dietetics. The purpose of registration is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by encouraging high standards of performance by persons practicing in nutrition and dietetics. Students in the MPH coordinated program may establish eligibility to write the registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) by completing this program.

Loma Linda University MPH Nutrition Video
Program Director - Celine Heskey

Units Cost per Unit LLU Quarterly Fee Average Completion Time
57+ $895 $910

2.25-3 years
(9 quarters)
2018-2019 MPH Nutrition-Coordinated Program in Dietetics Catalog
Learn More Apply Now
Student Housing

In order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) individuals must take a credentialing examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). The requirements to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam include meeting the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) requirements through didactic instruction and supervised practice experience. Our program is an accredited coordinated program, which means that students complete both didactic instruction (MPH Nutrition degree along with relevant corequisites) and 1200 hours of supervised practice (1. Public Health Practicum; 2. Food Systems Management Affiliation; 3. Clinical Nutrition Affiliation; 4. Practice within designated classes and labs) within the program. Once they have met all degree and non-degree requirements for the coordinated program, and successfully graduate from the program, they will be eligible to take the credentialing exam. Prior to program completion, students will be required to submit a graduation petition to the School of Public Health Academic Programs Office. Non-degree requirements include a comprehensive examination (public health nutrition), and culmination experience. More info.

For more information on registration eligibility requirements for RDNs, click here.

Loma Linda University Academic Calendar • Loma Linda University Course Schedule • Course sequence

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1-800-877-1600 extension 5400
ACEND website

 

I am very grateful for the professors at LLUSPH who challenge me and provide continual learning opportunities. They care for their students beyond academics and encourage us to be the best versions of ourselves in all aspects.

–Briana Hewitt, MPH-RD Nutrition student

Mission: The mission of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program is to prepare students to become competent entry-level dietetic professionals to meet Seventh-day Adventist and other global needs. We do so with a commitment to further the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ “to make man whole.”

Program Goals

Program Goal 1: The program will prepare students to be competent graduates who are eligible to write the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become entry-level practitioners.
Program Specific Objective:

       a. The post-graduate surveys will reflect that 80 percent of graduates are utilizing skills to promote health and/or prevent disease.​

ACEND specific objectives

      b. Eighty percent of students will successfully complete 100% of specified degree requirements within 150 percent of expected degree completion.
      c. 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%.
      d. Seventy percent of employers will rate the preparation of graduates of the Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics as satisfactory for entry-level practice.
      e. Eighty percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.

Program Goal 2: Provide professionally-trained Registered dietitians with either an emphasis in medical nutrition therapy or public health nutrition who may be employed by or contribute to the healthcare and educational systems of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or local, national, or international entities.  (Students in SAHP are educated with an emphasis in medical nutrition therapy.  Students in SPH are educated with an emphasis in public health nutrition.)
 
Program Specific Objective:
      
      a. Sixty percent of Program graduates will contribute to the community and/or provide professional leadership in the field of Dietetics within 5 years of graduation.

ACEND specific objective

      b. Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and  dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe the integration of biological mechanisms underlying the effect of food and nutrients on individual and population health outcomes.
  2. Function independently and collaboratively as a leader or member of a team, to plan, manage, and evaluate public health nutrition interventions.
  3. Critically analyze studies and nutrition and dietetics evidence-based guidelines for public health prevention, nutrition interventions, and research.
  4. Scrutinize public policies and processes related to food and nutrition and explore their impact on health outcomes.
  5. Examine the role of vegetarian dietary practices on human health, the environment, and ecology
  6. Demonstrate effectiveness in applying the nutritional care process consistent with competencies defined by the ACEND.
Our program outcomes data are available upon request: cheskey@llu.edu 

How to Apply

Applications are to be submitted via SOPHAS (www.sophas.org) and Loma Linda University (secondary application supplied after submission of SOPHAS application). Please click the APPLY NOW button above to start the process.

Contact cheskey@llu.edu if you have questions regarding the admissions process.

GPA: ≥3.0 on a 4.0 scale
GRE or equivalence (e.g. MCAT)
References: ≥3 academic or employer
Prerequisites: general chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, anatomy & physiology, and human nutrition (or equivalent)
International applicants
  • TOEFL
  • Evaluation of international transcripts.

Pre-entrance health requirements/Immunizations 

  • TB/PPD skin test
  • Hepatitis B vaccine
  • Varicella vaccine
  • TdaP
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria booster (within last 10 years)
  • MMR

Program Costs (2020-2021)

Tuition (per credit) (Estimated total)

$895 (x 77 credits = $68,915)

Program quarterly fees

$885 (x 9 quarters = $7,965)

Books, software and equipment (includes BLS training*)

$2,917

Supervised practice: Food Systems Management affiliation tuition

$1,790

Supervised practice: Clinical Nutrition affiliation tuition

$3,580

Supervised practice: Public Health Practicum

$3,580

Housing: http://home.llu.edu/campus-and-spiritual-life/housing-dining/residence-halls and http://home.llu.edu/campus-and-spiritual-life/housing-dining/off-campus-housing

Residence halls

Off campus housing

Upwards of $8,100 – $9,630 total for duration of 9 quarters

Travel**

Most supervised practice sites are within a 60-mile radius of Loma Linda, California. ~125 days of affiliations/practicum

Via car: $138 - $1,375

Liability insurance

Students are covered by malpractice insurance while acting within the course and scope of any approved clinical assignment. http://llucatalog.llu.edu/about-university/student-life/

Medical exams [Hotlink à]

https://home.llu.edu/campus-and-spiritual-life/student-health-service; see https://home.llu.edu/campus-and-spiritual-life/student-health-service/services-and-fees for an explanation of services and fees

Drug testing

$ free via Student Health

Lab coat

$30

 

Up-to-date program costs are available on the School of Public Health financial information catalog page http://llucatalog.llu.edu/public-health/#financialinformationtext

*Basic Life Support certificate is required for duration of the program – has to be an American Heart Association (AHA) course. The course is available on campus.
**Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from supervised practice sites.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Assistance

  • Information on financial aid can be accessed through student services.
  • Federal Work-Study positions are available for students. More information can be found here.
  • Graduate assistanceships: Occasionally positions may be available for students to assist faculty with research or teaching.
  • Scholarships: Information on scholarships is available through the Loma Linda University Financial Aid office, and also through the School of Public Health Finance office.