DIE-BSMS - Dietetics Combined Pathway, B.S. and M.S.

Enrollment in a combined pathway allows highly qualified, current SUNY Buffalo State University students to work on the Master of Science in Dietetics while completing the bachelor’s degree. Twelve credits of designated master’s courses are incorporated into the bachelor’s degree program and count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. The undergraduate B.S. portion of the pathway is in-person. The M.S., Dietetics is online/distance. 

The graduate portion of the Dietetics Combined Pathway has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for the Education of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised practice in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) required a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

Program Requirements

The combined pathway includes 30 are master’s credits leading to the M.S. in Dietetics. Students who complete the pathway become eligible to sit for the RDN credentialing exam:  The pathway includes 1000 hours of supervised practice and all ACEND required competencies and courses.

The program requires careful planning that begins in the first year of the student’s undergraduate career at  Buffalo State University including transfer students. The student their primary advisor should consult their major advisor each semester in planning the undergraduate degree program so that these degree requirements are met during undergraduate study. Twelve credits of master’s courses from the M.S. Program in Dietetics are included in the undergraduate degree plan and count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students must meet graduate expectations for academic progress and grade point average in their level courses to remain in the combined pathway.

Admission into the combined pathway is highly selective. Matriculated undergraduate students may apply to the pathway in their second year for a junior year start and will complete all of the application requirements for the program. The admission application process includes a minimum GPA of 2.75, completion of prerequisite courses (transfer student may transfer many of these courses), two letters of recommendation, two faculty interviews, and personal statement. To advance to the master’s portion of the pathway, a GPA 3.0 is required.

Prerequisite courses include:

BIO 100 Principles of Biology

BIO 308 Human Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO 309 Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab

CHE 111/113 Fundamentals of Chemistry I and Laboratory I CHE 112/114 Fundamentals of Chemistry II and Laboratory II CHE 201/203 Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory I

CHE 322 Biological Chemistry

NFS 100 Introduction to Food Preparation NFS 102 Introductory Nutrition NFS 200 Applied Food Chemistry

NFS 211 Applied Management in Dietetics I NFS 230 Introduction to Dietetics

NFS 302 Advanced Nutrition

NFS 315 Life Cycle and Community Nutrition I PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology