Nutrition and Dietetics

Chair and Clinical Associate Professor: Byington

Professor: Blanton

Associate Professor: Gordon

Assistant Professor: Petersen

Clinical Associate Professor: Reader

Clinical Assistant Professor: Hilvers

Emerita: Dundas, McKnight, Schneider
Master of Science in NutritionDegreeM.S.
Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic InternshipDegreeM.S.

The Master of Science in Nutrition with Dietetic Internship is a combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship.

Graduate faculty (Blanton, Gordon, and Petersen) are available to work on capstone projects with a nutrition focus.

Master of Science in Nutrition-Dietetic Internship

The mission of the Idaho State University Master of Science in Nutrition – Dietetic Internship is to prepare caring and competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who collaborate with other health professionals through a supervised practice experience that exceeds the performance standards of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Program Goals 

Goal #1: Program graduates are professionally competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists through a comprehensive supervised practice experience.

  • At least 80% of program interns complete program within 24 months (150% of program length).
  • Of graduates who seek employment, 75 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • 90 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program 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%.
  • 90% of working RDNs over a five-year period will be satisfied that the MS-DI program adequately prepared them for effective entry-level careers in dietetics.

Goal #2: Prepare program graduates to be caring registered dietitian nutritionists who promote collaboration within their practice setting.

  • 50% of graduates over a five-year period will participate in professional organizations within the first year following graduation.
  • Of those employers who respond to the survey, 90% of employers will rate program graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice as satisfactory or higher.
  • 50% of employers over a five-year period will rate program graduates’ collaboration within their employment setting as satisfactory or higher.

Student Learning Assessment

The program continuously assesses student achievement of required ACEND Core Competencies.  The Core Competencies are distributed across five domains.

  • Domain 1: Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: Integration of scientific knowledge and translation of research into practice. 
  • Domain 2: Professional Practice Expectations: Beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner level of practice.
  • Domain 3: Clinical and Client Services: Development and delivery of information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations.
  • Domain 4: Practice Management and Use of Resources: Strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.
  • Domain 5: Leadership and Career Management: Skills, strengths, knowledge and experience relevant to leadership potential and professional growth for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner.

Please contact the department for more information.