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Pursue Your Dream of Becoming an RD Today

Pre-RD Sequence

Make a positive impact on public health through nutrition and wellness, and work in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, private practices, and research institutions.

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Program Snapshot

Spring Start Date

January 12, 2026

How Often

Spring, Summer, Fall

Cost

Contact an Enrollment Advisor

Learning Format

Hybrid

Duration

Variable

VA Benefit Eligible

No

Scholarships

No

Overview

Get the courses required to start your Master of Science in Dietetics

With a thorough understanding of food and nutrition sciences, registered dietitians (RDs) play a key role in treating people with illnesses and shaping the public’s food choices.

To become an RD, one must complete an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship that includes a minimum of 1,200 supervised practice hours, as well as pass the national registration examination for dietitians.

In 2024, completion of a master’s degree will also be required to become an RD.  The master’s degree can be completed as part of a coordinated program (CP) that also includes the dietetic internship, or the master’s degree can be completed separately from the dietetic internship.

In order to be admitted to a coordinated program (CP) or dietetic internship, prospective students without undergraduate science degrees need to complete the coursework necessary to obtain a Verification Statement, which verifies that all coursework necessary to enter a CP or dietetic internship is complete.

Students can take advantage of the Pre-RD Sequence to work towards obtaining a Verification Statement and being eligible to apply to a dietetic internship program or a coordinated Master’s in Dietetics.Each of the courses in our Pre-RD Sequence is a prerequisite for UVM’s Master of Science in Dietetics Program in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

Curriculum

Courses can be started in any semester

FAQ

For information about Professional and Continuing Education tuition and financial aid, please visit Student Financial Services. Summer tuition is offered at a discounted rate and can be found here.

Learn about options for discounts, grants, loans, scholarships, and more on our tuition and financial aid page.

Yes, you may begin the program at any of our 3 start terms (Spring, Summer, or Fall) during the year.

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Increase the Value of your Education

With a nationally and internationally recognized leader in top-tier research.

  • Top 3% UVM is among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities designated as R1 by the Carnegie Classification.
  • This prestigious distinction recognizes the high level of impactful research conducted at UVM and enhances the value of your education so you can stand out to employers.

With PACE, you’ll stand out to employers with credentials backed by UVM, one of the oldest public universities and one of the few R1 institutions in the country. Being designated as an R1 institution signifies that UVM has achieved the highest level of research activity according to the Carnegie Classification. Out of all U.S. colleges and universities (5,686), only 3% (187) have R1 status.