Master of Public Health in Dietetics

The MPH Coordinated Program in Dietetics (Dietetics option) combines the coursework and supervised practice requirements to become eligible to take the national examination to become a Registered Dietitian after graduation. To review the Student Handbook and learn more about the program, policies and procedures, a comprehensive list of student resources and other relevant information about the Dietetics option, please contact the Program Director, Renee Barrile by email:  Renee_Barrile@uml.edu. 

A complete degree pathway for the program can be found in the UMass Lowell Online Academic Catalog.

The mission of the program is to promote public health nutrition by preparing graduates to practice as entry level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists with knowledge, competence, and the ability to address the needs of diverse communities. 

Program Goals and Outcome Measures for the MPH Dietetics Option

Goal #1: To prepare graduates for a successful entry-level position as a Registered Dietitian. Expected outcomes and target measures:

• The program's one year pass rate on the Registration Examination for Dietitians, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, is at least 80%
• At least 80% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for RD's within 12 months of program completion.
• At least 80% of students admitted to the Dietetics program will complete the program within 3 years from beginning the program (150 percent time of the program length).
• Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to a graduate exit survey will respond "yes" when asked if the program prepared them for their future career goals.

Goal #2: To prepare graduates to be life-long learners who seek opportunities for personal and professional growth. Expected outcomes and target measures:

• At least 75% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will report being a member of a local or national professional group.
• At least 90% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will indicate that they have participated in post-graduation training related to their profession.
• At least 40% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will indicate that they are preceptors.

Goal #3: To prepare graduates who are competent to address the health and nutrition needs of diverse populations. Expected outcomes and target measures:

• At least 40% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey, and sought employment in dietetics, will be working with diverse populations.
• At least 80% of employers who respond to an employer survey will rate graduates as acceptable or higher in their ability to work with diverse populations.
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to a graduate exit survey will indicate that they were well prepared to address the health and nutrition needs of diverse populations.
• At least 80% of employers who respond to an employer survey will rate graduates as acceptable or higher in their preparedness to practice as entry level RD's.

To request program outcome data, please contact:
Program Director Renee Barrile, RD, Ph.D.
Email: Renee_Barrile@uml.edu
Telephone: 978-934-4457

The Dietetics option is an accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics, which is a highly regarded degree option that combines the academic and supervised practice experience to qualify graduates to become Registered Dietitians (RD). 

The 1200 hours of supervised practice are integrated into the curriculum and are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as RDNs upon successful completion of the registration exam. Students will have rotations in organizations that specialize in community nutrition, public health, food service management, and clinical nutrition. Public Health Nutrition is the concentration of the Dietetics option, and Lowell and the surrounding communities have an abundance of programs that promote nutrition to diverse populations. 

Major Partners 

Some examples of our major partners include: Genesis Health Care, Lowell General Hospital, The Lowell Community Health Center, The Lowell Boys and Girls Club, Mill City Grows and The UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program. 

• Genesis Health Care, one of the largest providers of senior care in the nation, has more than 400 locations across the country, including two sites in Lowell that provide long term care and rehabilitation services. 
• Lowell General Hospital is an independent, not-for- profit community hospital serving the Greater Lowell area and surrounding communities. 
• The Lowell Community Health Center has many programs and services including nutrition counseling and education for all ages, WIC, health educator training sessions, immigrant and refugee health services, and in-school health services for teens. 
• The Lowell Boys and Girls Club offers programs and initiatives to help youth achieve and maintain healthy, active lifestyles. They also offer a meal and snack daily for school aged members. 
• Mill City Grows improves physical health, economic independence and environmental sustainability in Lowell through increased access to land, locally-grown food, and education. They offer a mobile food market, build-a-garden workshops, community and urban gardening programs, and educational programs.
• The UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program in Lawrence provides individuals, families, and communities with the knowledge and skills for healthier eating through research-based nutrition education. Their program includes two research-based programs, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the SNAP-Ed program. 

UMass Lowell also has several sites for supervised practice right on campus. These campus connections will give our dietetics students many opportunities to help promote healthy nutrition on campus.

• Food service rotations will take place at three different dining sites operated by Aramark. 
• The University also has a Health Services division that offers health and wellness counseling for students. 
• Additionally, there are two on-campus recreation centers that offer many programs designed to promote health among students, faculty, and staff. 
• The newly renovated Health Assessment Lab offers numerous opportunities to perform interdisciplinary research and education while integrating the fields represented in the College of Health Sciences including biomedical engineering, clinical laboratory science, ergonomics, exercise physiology, nutrition, nursing and physical therapy. 

The UMass Lowell MPH Coordinated Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). 

Accreditation includes self-analysis, preparation of a self-study report, and an on-site evaluation visit by a team of professional peers. Dietetics educators and practitioners, appointed by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) board, participate in the peer review process to determine if a program is achieving its own educational objectives and meeting the accreditation standards. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND accredited MPH Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to be a RDN.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Tel: (312) 899-0040 ext 5400/Fax: (312) 899-4817

https://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND

You must complete the didactic and supervised practice requirements at an accredited program, pass the National Registration exam, and complete the required Continuing Education Units. Successful completion of the Coordinated Program at UMass Lowell fulfills the didactic and supervised practice requirements. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics web page for more information about educational pathways to become a RDN.

To become licensed in the State of Massachusetts (LDN) and Other States: The majority of states have enacted laws that regulate the practice of dietetics in order to protect the public. State licensure and state certification are entirely separate and distinct from the RD and DTR credentials. The Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists in the State of Massachusetts oversees the standards and licensing of dietitians and nutritionists in Massachusetts. Information about state licensure can be found online at: Dietitiansnutritionistsboard@mass.gov or by calling 617-727-9940. The Board accepts the CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) internship and examination as equivalent to the statutory requirements for professional experience and a Board-administered examination. Once you successfully complete this program and pass the RDN exam, and are registered with CDR, make sure you use the Application for Registered Dietitians that may be downloaded on the Applications and Forms page of the licensing website. While licensure is not required in the State of Massachusetts, many employers in Massachusetts, such as hospitals, require dietitians to be licensed with the Commonwealth. Additionally, many insurers require licensure as a condition for inclusion on panels and for reimbursement. Forty- seven state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia currently have statutory provisions regulating the dietetics profession or associated titles such as dietitian and nutritionist. Information on state licensure and certification is provided on the CDR website as a service to dietetics professionals and state licensure boards. 

For information about the application process and requirements, please visit Health Sciences Admission Requirements.

Review the most recent tuition and fees for graduate programs. 

In the MPH in Dietetics program, additional fees include:

• Summer supervised practice (one-time fee)  
• Estimated books and supplies  
• Estimated travel expenses for supervised practice
• ServSafe Certification (if not already certified) 
• Academy membership
• EHR Go (one-time fee)

Additional annual costs depending on your living situation and health insurance needs.

• Estimated housing expenses 
• Estimated health insurance (if not already covered) 

• Teaching & Research Assistantships
• Private Scholarships & Fellowships
• Provost's Graduate Fellowship
• Veteran's Graduate Fellowship
• Dean's Graduate Fellowship
• Double River Hawk Graduate Fellowship
• Double River Hawk Fellowship for UMass Alumni
• Graduate Online & Professional Studies - Graduate Fellowships
• Public Trust Graduate Scholarship

For more information about government aid, visit the Federal Student Aid website.

For information about application to the MPH program:
Courtney Bibbo
Associate Director, GPS Recruitment
Phone: 978-934-6937
Email: Courtney_Bibbo@uml.edu

For information about program costs, financial aid and registering for classes:
The Solution Center
Phone: 978-934-2000
Email: TheSolutionCenter@uml.edu
The Solution Center website

For information about visas and immigration:
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
Phone: 978-934-2383
Email: ISSO@uml.edu
ISSO website

For general questions about Graduate Studies at UMass Lowell:
Graduate Student Services
Phone: 978-934-2474
Email: Graduate_StudentSuccess@uml.edu
Graduate Student Services website

For questions about the MPH in Dietetics academic program:
Renee Barrile, Ph.D. 
Associate Teaching Professor, MPH Dietetics Program Director
Phone: 978-934-4457
Email: Renee_Barrile@uml.edu