Nutrition and Foods Program

Advance your career. Transform community and clinical health. Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at App State.

The Master of Science in Nutrition, Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program at Appalachian State University offers an integrated, ACEND-accredited pathway to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). In this two-year, full-time program, students earn a master’s degree in nutrition, complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice, and gain real-world experience in both clinical and community nutrition settings.

Located in Boone, North Carolina, App State’s MS/DI program emphasizes rural health, community engagement, and leadership in dietetics. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, applied research opportunities, and eligibility for paid graduate assistantships during their first year.

1. Integrated MS + Dietetic Internship
   Our program blends graduate-level study with supervised practice so you can complete both your Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship in just two years. We equip students to sit for and pass the RDN exam after graduation — ready to make a difference.

2. Paid Graduate Assistantships
   During the first year, students are eligible for up to 20 hours per week of paid graduate assistantship work. These positions provide valuable professional experience and financial support while you complete your coursework.

3. Faculty Mentorship and Research Opportunities
   You’ll work closely with expert faculty who are leaders in clinical nutrition, public health, and community-based research. Their mentorship supports your professional development, from supervised practice through your master’s research or capstone project.

App State’s traditional combined Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) provides a fast-track, ACEND-accredited pathway to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). This full-time, two-year nutrition graduate program combines advanced coursework with 1,000+ hours of supervised practice, equipping students with both academic knowledge and practical, real-world skills.

In the first year, students complete in-person courses on the Boone, North Carolina campus, building on Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) foundations with classes in Maternal and Child Health Nutrition, Nutrition Across the Life Cycle, Professional Development in Dietetics, and Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Assessment.

The second year consists of the Dietetic Internship, allowing students to complete 1000 hours in supervised practice across clinical, community, and food systems management settings. Students may select either the Program-Identified Pathway (App State places the student in predetermined supervised practice sites in North Carolina) or the Student-Identified Pathway (students secure their own supervised practice sites anywhere in the US) to tailor their learning experience.

App State’s Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program prepares graduates to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) ready to meet North Carolina’s growing demand for qualified nutrition professionals. 

Our alumni excel in diverse nutrition and dietetics careers, including:

• Clinical Nutrition & Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) – providing evidence-based care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities.

• Community & Public Health Nutrition – leading programs that promote food security, wellness, and chronic disease prevention across North Carolina communities.

• Foodservice & Nutrition Management – managing nutrition operations in healthcare systems, K–12 schools, and senior living settings.

• Private Practice & Corporate Wellness – delivering personalized nutrition counseling, telehealth services, and worksite wellness initiatives.

• Research, Education & Nutrition Policy – advancing the field through academic teaching, program evaluation, and policy development at state and national levels.

App State alumni are highly sought after for their ability to translate evidence-based practice into meaningful community and clinical outcomes.

App State students consistently describe the MS/DI as supportive, challenging, and transformative.

"I'm very happy to have chosen App State for my graduate program, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience."
--MS/DI 2025 Graduate

"I feel so much pride for this program and the associated faculty, and could not imagine my life having gone anywhere else. Thank you for everything and for helping me become who I am today!"
--MS/DI 2023 Graduate

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