Oct 05, 2024  
2023-2024 University Catalog 
    
2023-2024 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition (MS) and Dietetic Integrated Track


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Dietetic Integrated Track


The MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track is a 21-month curriculum that integrates didactic and supervised experiential learning. Students will also complete a master’s research project. Upon completion of the track, the student earns an MS degree with a major in clinical nutrition, completes an accredited supervised experiential learning experience and is eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

The MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). 

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 877-1600, ext. 5400
www.eatright.org/acend

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition Dietetic Integrated Track: Admission Requirements


All who apply to the MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track, must have a verification statement from an ACEND accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD), or a baccalaureate degree in any field of study along with the completion of the prerequisite courses listed below.

•    General chemistry with lab (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Organic chemistry with lab (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Biochemistry with lab (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Anatomy with lab (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Physiology with lab (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Microbiology with lab (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Human nutrition (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Food science with lab (minimum 3 credit hours)
•    Introduction to foods or meal management (minimum 3 credit hours)

Application requirements, fees and the application process are specified on the Department of Clinical Nutrition webpage at www.rushu.rush.edu/cndi.

Once students are accepted into the MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track, they are then required to complete the application for RUSH University. An acceptance confirmation fee of $250 is required at this time. The fee is nonrefundable and will be applied to tuition for the first term.

If you have questions, contact Mark McInerney, DHSc, RD, LDN, at Mark_C_McInerney@rush.edu or

(312) 563-0990.

Drug Testing


RUSH University Medical Center requires that all prospective employees, including dietetic students, undergo drug testing as a contingency for employment or enrollment.

Criminal Background Check


All dietetic students will undergo a criminal background check to comply with legislation regarding employment in the health care field to assure patient safety.

Required Testing for all Applicants


Those applying to the MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track need to submit results of the following:

  • International applicants: Graduates who obtained their education outside the United States and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated as equivalent to the baccalaureate or master’s degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. These applicants also must submit results of TOEFL examination (see College of Health Sciences TOEFL requirements).

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track: Graduation Requirements


Once admitted to the MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track, students will need to successfully complete the required 48 credit hours for graduation. This includes a minimum of 1,000 supervised experiential learning hours.  In order to be eligible to take the registration exam for dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, students must fulfill all requirements of the MS in Clinical Nutrition and supervised experiential learning to receive a verification statement. Students must complete all MS in Clinical Nutrition and supervised experiential learning hours within 31.5 months of matriculation.

Students must meet the following in order to graduate and have the degree conferred:

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
  • Successfully complete all didactic coursework
  • Successfully complete all required supervised experiential learning experiences
  • Successfully complete all requirements of the master’s research project
  • Pass the RUSH University Interprofessional course
  • Complete a minimum of 16 contact hours of approved professional or community service

 

 

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated Track: Research Activities


Students will be required to complete a master’s research project. Faculty members of the Department of Clinical Nutrition are involved in basic and applied nutrition research. Faculty and students present at professional meetings and publish in peer reviewed journals. A list of faculty and student research presentations and publications can be found at the Clinical Nutrition webpage.

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated Track: Service Activities


Students are required to complete 16 hours of community or professional service. Students meet this requirement in a variety of ways, including assisting at health fairs, volunteering at the local food pantry, and helping at local clinics.

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated Track: Academic Policies


The MS in Clinical Nutrition Dietetic Integrated track spans five semesters, including the summer semester, and is offered on a full-time basis only. Students must complete all of the required courses and supervised experiential learning experiences within 31.5 months of matriculation.

RUSH University requires continuous enrollment through the completion of the degree (see RUSH University Policies for further information). Students may be allowed to transfer up to 12 term hours of applicable graduate credit from another accredited university for the MS degree portion. Graduate courses must be completed with a B or better and approved by the student’s supervisory committee to be awarded transfer credit.

 

Academic Progression


Students in the MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track are required to earn a Passing (P) grade in all supervised experiential learning courses (NTR 625P, NTR 626P, NTR 627P, NTR 628P, and NTR 629P).  A grade of C or better is required in all didactic courses. Students will be placed on academic probation if any one of the following occur:

•    Cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester
•    Receives a grade of Not Passing (NP) in a supervised experiential learning course
•    Receives a grade of D or F in any didactic course

For didactic and supervised experiential learning corequisite courses (NTR 625 and 625P, NTR 626 and 626P, NTR 627 and 627P, NTR 628 and 628P, and NTR 629 and 629P), the student must earn a grade of C or better in the didactic courses and a grade of P in the supervised experiential learning corequisite to advance to the next corequisite course in the course sequence. If a student receives a grade of NP in a supervised experiential learning course or a grade of D or F in a didactic course, the student must retake the course when offered the following academic year. This will extend their anticipated graduation date.

The Clinical Nutrition Academic Progress and Promotions Committee will notify any student placed on probation, state the reason(s) for probation and indicate the conditions that must be satisfied for removal of probation.

Students will be dismissed if any of the following occur:

  • Failure to earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater by the end of the next two consecutive terms after being placed on academic probation
  • A student receives a NP grade in a supervised experiential learning course and receives a grade of D or F in any didactic course over the duration of the curriculum
  • A student receives a NP grade in two or more supervised experiential learning courses over the duration of the curriculum
  • A student receives a grade of D or F in two or more didactic courses over the duration of the curriculum

Additionally, any conduct or performance by a student that demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in the MS in Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated track may result in dismissal.

 

 

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Integrated Track: Technical Standards


RUSH University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will serve diverse communities locally and nationally.

Our core values I CARE (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence) translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. RUSH actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful, accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. RUSH is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

The following technical functions are required of all students enrolled in the Clinical Nutrition program:

Acquire Information

  • Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses, such as lecture, group and physical demonstrations
  • Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval)
  • Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description and transparencies
  •  Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal and non-verbal communication

Use and Interpret

  • Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers
  • Use and interpret information related to physiologic phenomena generated from diagnostic tools

Motor

  • Possess psychomotor skills necessary to provide or assist in holistic clinical nutrition care and perform or assist with procedures and treatments
  • Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide clinical nutrition care and assessment in emergencies and life support procedures, and perform universal precautions against contamination

Communication

  • Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families
  • Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors and all members of the health care team during practicum and other learning experiences
  • Accurately elicit information, including a medical history and other information to adequately and effectively evaluate a population’s, client’s or patient’s condition

Intellectual Ability

  • Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients and populations
  • Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the clinical nutrition role
  • Synthesize information, problem-solve and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory, assessment or treatment strategy

Behavioral

  • Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances
  • Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need
  • Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings

Character

  • Demonstrate concern for others
  • Integrity, accountability, interest and motivation are necessary personal qualities
  • Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the RUSH University and Clinical Nutrition Code of Ethics


The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs.

Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to learn more about accommodations at RUSH University:

Marie Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Director, Office of Student Accessibility Services
RUSH University
600 S. Paulina St., Suite 901
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5237
Marie_Lusk@rush.edu

Master of Science Clinical Nutrition - Dietetic Integrated Track: Curriculum


Program Total: 48 Credit Hours


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