Skip Navigation

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Graduate Online and Distance Education

A UNL education wherever you are

Dietetics Specialization

  • About
  • Tuition & Fees
  • Courses
  • Tech Requirements
  • Application Process
  • Contact Us
The Degree

Dietetics is one of the most dynamic and versatile of the health-related professions. Food and nutrition are at the heart of dietetics practice. Registered dietitians work in myriad ways to meet the food and nutrition needs of individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.

This online 36-credit hour Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Specialization in Dietetics prepares registered dietitians--or those eligible to take the registration examination as defined by the American Dietetic Association—to practice dietetics at an advanced level.

You'll develop an appreciation for research, stimulate independent thought, and receive up-to-date knowledge in foods, nutrition, and foodservice business management.

You’ll learn to integrate and apply the principles from the biomedical sciences, human behavior, and management to design and lead effective food and nutrition programs in a variety of settings.

This online degree program is tailored for credentialed, practicing dietetics professionals who seek to enhance their knowledge in a specific area of dietetics practice or retool for new career opportunities in dietetics practice.

Upon successful completion of the Dietetics program you will be able to:

  • Apply cutting-edge information in food, nutrition, food service management, and wellness to enhance dietetics practice.
  • Think independently and critically to evaluate and apply new research concepts and theories to advance the profession of dietetics.
  • Understand public policy and current systems of health care delivery with particular reference to the role of the dietitian.
  • Advance the profession of dietetics by contributing to evidence-based practice.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

Registered dietitians who work or are seeking work in:

  • Public health arena
  • Food service industry
  • Private practice
  • Business and industry as lifestyle and wellness consultants
  • Many other settings

Method of Delivery:

Courses are taught online using a course management system (Blackboard) accessed through your web browser. Some courses have supplemental materials on videos or CDs, and others may require phone conferencing.

You will share the experiences of fellow students from across the country and internationally by interacting with faculty and fellow students by e-mail, Blackboard discussion boards and possible phone conferencing. 


For more information:
Visit the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences Website.

salad
dietetics

Great Plains IDEA Program
This program is part of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA), a consortium of eleven universities offering fully online graduate programs.

Each university brings a unique strength to the multi-institution academic programs.

You apply, and are admitted at one university; enroll in all your courses at that university; and, graduate or receive a certificate from that university. However, your online courses are taught by the best faculty in the discipline from several universities.


Resident Tuition Cost:
  Resident Distance Ed. Tuition Distance Ed. Fee Registration Fee
Per Semester		 Tech Fee Library Fee Total Cost for 3 Credit Hours
 
Graduate per credit hour

 $430.00 -- -- -- --  
Graduate 3 credit hours $1290.00 -- -- -- -- --



Non-Resident Tuition Cost:
  Non-Resident Distance Ed. Tuition Distance Ed. Fee Registration Fee
Per Semester		 Tech Fee Library Fee Total Cost for 3 Credit Hours
 
Graduate per credit hour $430.00 -- -- -- --  
Graduate 3 credit hours $1290.00 -- -- -- -- --

Tuition rates are effective as of 7/1/09 and are subject to change in July of each year.

Program of Study

The Great Plains IDEA online master’s degree in Dietetics requires 36 credit hours of coursework.

Core Courses (9 hours):

  • Statistics, 3 credits
  • Research Methods, 3 credits
  • Current Trends in Dietetics, 3 credits


Nutrition or Management Track (6 hours)
You’ll choose either a nutrition track or a management track

Nutrition Track:

  • Advanced Nutrition:  Nutrigenomics, Nutrigenetics & Advanced Lipid Metabolism in Human Nutrition, 3 credits
  • Micronutrients in Human Nutrition, 3 credits

Management Track:

  • Accounting Concepts & Analysis, 3 credits
  • Entrepreneurship, 3 credits

Electives (15 hours)

For a complete list of elective courses, please visit the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences Website


Thesis or Non Thesis (6 hours)

You may select to complete a thesis under the direction of your major professor and committee OR you may take 6 additional credit hours from program electives. If you select the non-thesis option, you will sit for a comprehensive written examination followed by an oral examination with your committee.

Your thesis problem is preferably a topic related to your dietetics practice, results of which may add to the body of knowledge and support evidence-based dietetics practice.

More detailed information on course scheduling and descriptions are available on the GP-IDEA Web site. 

Technology Requirements
Internet and e-mail
 High speed Internet connection required
Browser configurations
  • Internet Explorer: 7.0 or higher
  • Firefox: 2.0 or higher
  • Safari: 2.0 or higher

    Note to AOL users: If AOL is your Internet Service Provider, do NOT use the AOL browser. Minimize the AOL browser and open one of the above browsers.

To download the latest browsers, click the “help” button in Blackboard (My.UNL) and access the Downloads area.
Operating System

PC-Windows 2000, XP or Vista
MAC- OS X 10.2 or higher
Processor

PC-1 GHz minimum, 2GHz recommended
MAC- G3 800 MHz minimum, G4 1.25 GHz or higher recommended
Memory

512 MB of RAM minimum
768 MB or more recommended
Plug ins

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Flash Player
Windows Media Player or Real Player
Computer settings

To effectively use Blackboard (UNL’s online teaching and learning por­tals), JavaScript and cookies must be enable. Pop-up blockers should be disabled.
DVD and CD player

Some distance courses have supplemental materials on DVD or CD
Phone Some courses may require phone conferencing.

Handheld devices or Web-enabled phones

Blackboard (UNL’s online teaching and learning por­tals)
is not currently compatible

 

1. Apply to the Office of Graduate Studies

2. Apply to the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences
After submitting the online application for graduate admission, you will receive an e-mail notification with your NU ID and WAM PIN. Then, go to GAMES using your NU ID as login and WAM PIN as password to complete the department application. You will be required to enter or upload the following:

  • Resume/vitae
  • Statement of purpose/goals
  • Prerequisite courses
  • GRE scores (Institution code = 6877; Department code = 0214)
  • Names and contact information of three references. (When you submit your department application, GAMES will automatically contact your reference letter writers and ask them to upload their references to GAMES.)
  • Optional: Assistantship/Fellowship application

 

Application Deadlines

Fall: March 15   Spring: October 15

The application deadlines are necessary for making Assistantship and Fellowship decisions. Applications submitted after these deadlines will still be considered for admission, but there is no guarantee that Assistantship or Fellowship funding will be available.

For more information on the application process for this program, please visit the Department of Nutrition & Health Sciences Web site. 


Department Information:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Department of Nutrition & Health Sciences

Donna Hahn
316 Ruth Leverton Hall
Lincoln NE 68588-0806
Phone: 1-402- 472-3866
Fax: 1-402-472-4426
E-mail: dhahn1@unl.edu
Web: http://cehs.unl.edu/nhs/index.shtml

 Extended Education & Outreach
900 North 22nd Street
P.O. Box 888805
Lincoln, NE 68588-8805
Phone: (402) 472-2175
Fax: (402) 472-4345
E-mail: unlextended@unl.edu