The Clinical Track/ Prior Learning Option is designed for current Registered Dietitian Nutritionists interested in pursuing their MS in Nutrition Sciences degree. Eligible applicants have completed an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) accredited undergraduate degree in nutrition/dietetics AND 1,000 hours of supervised practice from an ACEND accredited dietetic internship program. Applicants are required to submit their Verification Statements from these programs upon applying.

If you’re not eligible to apply to the Clinical Track/ Prior Learning Option, you may consider exploring one of our other MS in Nutrition Sciences degree tracks. For another all-online option, checkout the Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention track!

Applicants can search ACEND accredited undergraduate programs and ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship programs through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietietics.

Did you know that effective January 1, 2024 the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is requiring an earned Master’s Degree as an eligibility requirement to sit for the National RD Examination? Those who have earned their credential prior to January 1, 2024 are not required to earn a Master’s Degree, but it certainly does give Registered Dietitians a competitive edge in their professional practice. This Master’s Degree program was designed specifically for Registered Dietitians (RDs). It builds off of previous knowledge and supervised practice experiences to offer a complete, comprehensive educational experience for RDs in all areas of practice.

To learn more about the new CDR graduate degree requirement, visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

The MS in Nutrition Sciences- Clinical Track/ Prior Learning Option is an entirely online, non-thesis degree program comprised of 30 credit hours of study. A student enrolled full time will complete the program in 3-4 semesters, depending on the term of enrolment (fall term recommended). However, part-time enrollment is allowed. The Clinical Track/ Prior Learning Option is provided entirely online to allow flexibility for students who have other obligations.

For the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid's Paying for College page. The cost for our graduate programs can be found under the “Graduate” tab, within the “Health Professions and Nursing” rows. Please note that there are separate costs for Residents, Non-Residents, and Internet-based distance learning courses. You want to look at the “Internet-based distance learning courses” table, since this is an entirely online degree program.

There are many scholarship opportunities on UAB Campus. We recommend students register for the Blazer Scholarship Management and Resource Tool (B-SMART) upon admission to our graduate degree programs to stay up-to-date on new scholarship opportunities.

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics may also want to explore scholarships available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Students of our MS in Nutrition Sciences programs have been recipients of these in years past!

Have more questions? Check out our Student Handbook. You may find your answers here!