Performance Nutrition and Dietetics, M.S.
The USC Master of Science in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics Program provides students with the didactic and supervised experience needed to become a competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist. The program curriculum emphasizes performance nutrition while spanning the breadth of the community, clinical, and service aspects of the dietetics profession. Students will learn knowledge and skills that can be applied to improve the health and performance of individuals, groups, and populations. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam for registered dietitian nutritionists.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply foundational sciences to food and nutrition knowledge to meet the needs of individuals, groups, and populations.
- Integrate client/patient-centered principles in competent nutrition and dietetics practice.
- Apply food systems principles and management skills to ensure safe and efficient delivery of food and water.
- Apply community and population nutrition health theories when providing support to community nutrition programs.
- Incorporate leadership, business, and management principles to guide dietetics practice.
- Integrate evidence-informed practice, research principles, and critical thinking into dietetics practice.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors and effective communication in all nutrition and dietetics interactions.
Admission
- A four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in exercise science, kinesiology, biology, chemistry, pre-med, nutrition, health sciences, physiology, psychology, public health, physical therapy, medical doctor, from an accredited institution
- Academic prerequisites: Human Nutrition
- Grade point average of 3.00/4.00 or higher
- GRE scores are not required but recommended
- For international applicants, a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 80 internet-based, 230 computer-based, or 570 paper-based - or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Course Type 2 exam - minimum overall band score of 6.5. This requirement may be waived for applicants that have earned a prior degree from a US institution.
Degree Requirements (44 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PNDI 620 | Nutrition Through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| or HPEB 620 | Nutrition Through the Life Cycle | |
| PNDI 700 | Applied Nutrition Research | 3 |
| PNDI 701 | Performance Nutrition | 3 |
| PNDI 705 | Performance Nutrition: Approaches and Advocacy | 3 |
| PNDI 710 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| PNDI 711 | Performance Nutrition & Dietetics Supervised Experience Level 1 | 1 |
| PNDI 712 | Performance Nutrition & Dietetics Supervised Experience Level 2 | 1 |
| PNDI 713 | Performance Nutrition & Dietetics Supervised Experience Level 3 | 1 |
| PNDI 714 | Performance Nutrition & Dietetics Supervised Experience Level 4 | 1 |
| PNDI 715 | Performance Nutrition & Dietetics Supervised Experience Level 5 | 1 |
| PNDI 730 | Nutrition Counseling & Education | 3 |
| PNDI 740 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| PNDI 750 | Performance Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
| PNDI 752 | Nutrition and Public Health | 3 |
| or HPEB 752 | Nutrition and Public Health | |
| PNDI 760 | Leadership and Practice in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 |
| PNDI 770 | Food Systems Management | 3 |
| PNDI 780 | Performance Nutrition and Dietetics Capstone | 3 |
| PUBH 700 | Perspectives in Public Health | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 44 | |