MPH in Nutrition (Coordinated Program in Dietetics)

Program Goal 1:

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

ACEND Specific Objectives:

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

• 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.)

• 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.

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. Evaluate 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. Apply the nutritional care process consistent with competencies defined by the ACEND.

Applications are to be submitted via SOPHAS and Loma Linda University (secondary application supplied after submission of SOPHAS application). 

Apply Now

Contact cheskey@llu.edu to review your prerequisites and if you have questions regarding the admissions process.

Admission Requirements

GPA: ≥3.0 on a 4.0 scale

References: ≥3 academic or employer

Prerequisites: general chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, anatomy & physiology, and human nutrition (or equivalent)

As part of the application process, applicants may be invited to participate in our interview process.

Assessment of prior learning policy

Specific corequisites (NUTR 490, NUTR 526, DCTS 566, DTCS 575) may be waived at the discretion of the program director if certain criteria are met including:

1. The course(s) being substituted were completed as part of a DPD program or from a DPD program
2. The final grade for the course is a ‘B’ or better (All official transcripts are expected to be submitted to Loma Linda University prior to the first quarter registration in the program).
3. The course syllabus is submitted to the program director for instructor review and is approved by the instructor as meeting the expectations in terms of content and competencies. 
4. The university policy and procedures for course waivers are met.

Must have:

• TOEFL
• Evaluation of international transcripts.

International Students

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

Other health requirements/Immunizations for rotations

• Hepatitis A vaccine 
• COVID-19 vaccine

  • Policy required by ACEND:

    • As COVID-19 enters an endemic phase, it is becoming typical for supervised practice sites to require vaccination with booster and/or frequent testing for students/interns. At some sites, it is possible that an alternative to vaccination may not be available. As an educational and training partner, it is our responsibility to comply with all of our clinical site requirements as outlined in our affiliation agreements. It also is our responsibility to comply with the requirements of a clinical site that may not be stated in the affiliation agreement. A clinical site has the right to set standards for their facilities to comply with regulations and protocols governing its operations, including the health and safety of patients and all who enter or work at the clinical site.

  • For our students, this means:

    1. You may be required to show evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination. If a site provides an alternative to vaccination including but limited to frequent testing and/or additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), you must comply with the alternative as required by the site to participate in your supervised practice/rotations.

    2. If a site requires vaccination with no alternative, then clinical coordinators will work with program directors to identify vaccinated students and make fair assignments to clinical sites, assuming there are other placement options available.

    3. If the student fails or refuses to timely provide proof of vaccination to a clinical facility requiring it and the student is not granted an accommodation by the clinical site, then the student may not be able to fulfill the clinical requirements of the program, resulting in a graduation delay or failure to complete requirements for graduation.

Health Requirements

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.