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MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program

The MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program is a rigorous 1.5 year program that includes training in clinical nutrition course work (didactic) and supervised experiential learning rotations (SEL). The didactic component of the program is completed online, however, students who are accepted are required  to complete the SEL activities onsite in the Kansas City and Warrensburg areas. The first two semesters will focus primarily on the didactic courses and the remaining two semesters combine course work with SEL rotations in the areas of Clinical, Community, and Food Service Management. The MS Clinical Nutrition graduate program was originally designed and approved for candidacy accreditation by the Accreditation Council of Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) based on the Future Education Model (FEM).

Students completing the MS Clinical Nutrition graduate  program will earn a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Nutrition as well as a verification statement making them eligible to sit for the CDR Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. In order to earn the degree, students must successfully complete the course plan which is made up of 30 credits for the didactic area and 10 credits for SEL rotations in Clinical, Community and Food Service Management rotations. The program also includes a 3 credit hour capstone course for students either in nutrition/dietetics research  or a student’s chosen area of interest for a total of 43 credit hours. 

Applications for Fall 2025 cohort are now being accepted. The priority deadline for application submission is Jan 17, 2025.

 

*Attention Fall 2025 applicants. You must first submit your application and then our system will ask you to upload your additional materials (resume and statement of goals) and also ask for the names and contact information of your three references. UCM will then send a direct request to your references allowing them to submit their recommendations to your application packet. Here is the link to the Graduate Application. You are eligible to apply for the Fall 2025 Cohort as long as you are able to complete all required prerequisites  by the end of Summer 2025. Review of the Fall 2025 applications will not begin until after the priority deadline of January 17 at the earliest.  Please note, UCM graduates do not have to submit their transcripts as we have access to them.

 

Instagram post for MS Clinical Nutrition Grads

LinkedIn post for MS Clinical Nutrition Grads

 

 

 

Accreditation Status

The Accreditation Council of Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) has provided candidacy accreditation status for the MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program (FEM/GP) at UCM. Students accepted into this program will be considered graduates of an ACEND accredited program and are eligible, upon satisfactory completion of this program, to attempt the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s exam for dietitians.
ACEND, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
Phone: 1-800-877-1600

 

Program Mission

The MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program at UCM prepares students to fulfill the university’s Master of Science degree criteria while meeting the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to practice as an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists by completing supervised experiential learning activities. Through the use of evidence-based practice, nutrition research and communication technologies, students are prepared to become lifelong learners who promote public health and wellness.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Program graduates will be competent to pursue entry-level dietitian nutritionist and/or careers in dietetics and nutrition related areas.

Objectives:

  1. At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 2.25 years (150% of the program length). (Program Completion Objective)
  2. Of graduates who seek employment, at least eighty percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. (Graduate Employment Objective)
  3. At least ninety percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion. (Registration Exam Objective)
  4. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. (Registration Exam Objective)
  5. Eighty percent of the employers will give a score of 4.0 or above on a 5-point scale for the competency of the GP program graduate for entry-level practice. (Employer Satisfaction Objective)

Goal 2: Program graduates will be competent in the practice of nutrition/dietetics research.

  1. At least 80 percent of graduates will rate 5 or above on a 1–7-point scale on feeling confident to plan, develop, implement, and disseminate an original nutrition/dietetics-related research project. (Program Specific Objective.)

Program Outcomes

Information on Program Outcomes Data will be available upon request. For information please contact Nutrition Program Director, Dr. Meera Penumetcha at penumetcha@ucmo.edu

How to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)

Dietitians help people live healthy and active lives through the transformative power of food and nutrition.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts with a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program, who completed a supervised practice requirement, passed a national exam and continue professional development throughout their careers. There also are specialty credentials in areas of gerontological nutrition (CSG), sports dietetics (CSSD), pediatric nutrition (CSP), renal nutrition (CSR) and oncology nutrition (CSO). Board-certified specialists are credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Career options and specialty areas for dietitians are diverse and flexible. RDNs can:

  • perform medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team in hospitals, clinics or other health care facilities.
  • manage foodservice operations in hospitals, school districts, colleges and universities, long-term care facilities, day-care centers, correctional facilities and more — overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to setting menus and managing staff.
  • consult with food companies foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors and distributors, nursing home residents or company employees in corporate wellness programs.
  • develop public awareness campaigns in community and population health settings to improve peoples' quality of life through healthy eating habits.
  • help athletes, police forces, firefighters and members of the military understand the connection between food, fitness and performance in the field.
  • work in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing or product development for food and nutrition-related businesses and industries.
  • educate physicians, nurses, dietetics students and other health practitioners the sophisticated science of nutrition and dietetics in universities and medical centers, .
  • conduct dietetics research to answer critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.

Salaries and Job Outlook

According to the 2021 Compensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession, the median full-time salary of RDNs is $72,000 per year. As with any profession, salaries and fees vary by region of the country, employment settings, scope of responsibility and supply of RDNs. Salaries increase with experience and many RDNs — particularly those in business, management, education and research — earn incomes above $90,000.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitians is projected to grow 7% from 2021-2031, as fast as the average for all occupations, because of the increased emphasis on the role of food and nutrition in preventing and treating diseases, a growing and aging population and public interest in nutrition.


How Do I Become an RDN?

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist, you will need to:

  1. Earn a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program. Classes vary according to program, but in general, coursework covers subjects that may range from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry. A master's degree is required to be eligible for the RDN exam. Some accredited programs include a master's degree, while other students complete their undergraduate in dietetics and earn a master's degree in another field (e.g. public health, communications, etc.).
  2. Complete a supervised practice requirement. In addition, individuals must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice to gain real-world experience and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the context of a variety of work settings.
  3. Pass a national exam for RDNs. Once you complete your degrees and supervised practice, you may schedule to take CDR's Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become a credentialed as registered dietetics nutritionist. This is called "RDN eligibility," meaning you have completed the requirements to become eligible to take the national exam.
  4. Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes.
  5. Stay up-to-date in dietetics through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices.

 

Dietetics education programs in colleges and universities are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics — or ACEND. As an accrediting agency, ACEND makes sure that students preparing for careers as RDNs are getting the education they need to qualify for taking the national RDN exam.

There are several kinds of accredited dietetics education programs — each offering a different experience and "pathway" to RDN eligibility.

Pathway: Coordinated Programs (CP)

Coordinated programs combine classroom learning with supervised practice experiences within one program. When you graduate from a coordinated program, you satisfy both the graduate degree and supervised practice requirements and are eligible to take the national RDN exam.

Pathway: Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) + Dietetic Internships (DI)

This pathway consists of two education programs: First you complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics, which is your classroom coursework. Then you enroll in an accredited Dietetic Internship for supervised practice in real work settings. A master's degree must be completed prior to entering a DI program or during the DI program, concurrently with supervised practice. The majority of students who choose this pathway apply for a DI position through a competitive online matching process. However, some DPDs have placement agreements with DIs to ensure their graduates secure dietetic internship positions. If you are considering applying to a Didactic Programs in Dietetics, ask whether the program includes "pre-select matching."

Students who graduate from both a DPD and a DI and have completed a master's degree meet both the degree and supervised practice requirements to take the national RDN exam. Most DPDs offer bachelor's degrees, while others satisfy the minimum graduate degree requirement. DI programs will either offer a master's degree as part of their program, require interns to complete a master's degree of their choosing while they complete the DI, or require interns to complete a master's degree prior to entering the DI program.

Pathway: Future Education Model (FEM) Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (GP)

This pathway consists of graduate-level coursework and supervised experiential learning incorporated into a one graduate degree program. When you graduate from a GP, you satisfy both the degree and supervised practice requirements to be eligible to take the national RDN exam.

Note: It's important to differentiate accredited GPs from other master's or doctorate programs that may not include the specific coursework or supervised practice required RDN eligibility. Examples are advanced degrees in disciplines that existing RDNs might pursue to complement their credential but that are not accredited by ACEND for their graduates to be eligible to take the national RDN credentialing exam.

 

Accredited Program Directory


Choosing the Right Program

While all ACEND-accredited programs meet the standards and requirements for graduates to become RDNs, the decision about which school or program to attend is personal and should be made based on a variety of factors that are important to you, such as:

  • Size of school and program: Would you be more comfortable in a small private school or a large state (public) university?
  • Cost: Can you afford a private school or is a state-supported school a better value for you?
  • Available financial aid: What resources are available to you?
  • Geographic location: Do you prefer a rural or urban setting, residential or commuter school? Several programs also offer distance education.
  • Faculty composition and qualifications: Have you visited the website or campus and talked with faculty?
  • Degree awarded: Do you want to begin with a bachelor's degree or immediately purse a graduate degree?
  • Success of graduates in obtaining internship placement and jobs: How well do graduates do after completing the program?
  • Success of graduates in pursuing career goals: What are your career goals and do they match the goals of the program?

Talk with program directors (contact information is in the Accredited Program Directory), discuss the program details and ask to visit. It is sometimes helpful to speak with current students and graduates, or RDNs and NDTRs located in the area near the program for insights that may be helpful in making a decision.

The Application Process

Application requirements and admission processes vary depending by program type. For information on applying to accredited dietetics programs, you must research each specific programs requirements and processes. (The programs' websites are listed in the Accredited Program Directory.)

Financial aid

There are many resources to help students pay for college. You may be able to obtain a grant or scholarship from a corporation, community or civic group, philanthropic or religious organization, or directly from your chosen school or college. Federal grants and low-interest loans may also be available.

  • State and Local Sources of Financial Aid: Financial assistance is essential for many students enrolled in dietetics education programs. Information about student aid should be sought from the financial aid office or administrator at individual institutions. Additional sources include the state higher education agency and local civic, professional and community organizations or foundations. Detailed information about federal grants and loans administered by the United States Department of Education is available at the Federal Student Aid website.
  • Academy Scholarships: Progress in the educational and scientific advancement of dietetics inspires friends and members of the profession to make funds available for qualified candidates to receive scholarships through contributions to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. In addition, some state and local dietetic associations may offer scholarships to prospective students in their area. You should contact these groups directly for more information.
  • International Financial Assistance and Resources Directory: Made possible through the Wimpfheimer-Guggenheim Fund for International Exchange in Nutrition, Dietetics and Management, this 90-page directory is a reference for U.S. and international students and professionals seeking funding for professional study, work experience or research in their home country or abroad.

Career Changers and International Students

If you are interested in a nutrition career, you can become a RDN or a NDTR — even if you have a degree in a different area of study. If you already have a degree from a U.S. institutional-accredited college or university that is recognized by the United States Department of Education, you will need to have your college transcripts evaluated by a director of an accredited dietetics program. Because the policies, procedures and costs for the transcript evaluation may vary from one institution to another, you may want to contact more than one dietetics program for further information. The program director will evaluate your previous academic preparation and identify the courses that you will need to complete at that school to meet the educational requirements for dietetic registration. It may be possible to complete the required dietetics coursework while enrolled in a graduate program. The dietetics program director can advise you of your options.

If you completed your education and training outside of the United States, or received credentials in another country, you may be eligible to become credentialed practitioner in the U.S.  Individuals who have completed the education and credentialing requirements in one country may be eligible for another country's credentialing examination if the two countries have entered into a "reciprocity" agreement to allow this. If reciprocity does not apply, you must have your academic degree validated as equivalent to the bachelor's or master's degree conferred by a US regionally-accredited college or university and complete any additional required course work plus an ACEND-accredited supervised practice requirement to establish your eligibility to sit for the exam. It is important to note that all individuals who establish registration eligibility — whether under the provisions of a reciprocity agreement or through the combination of a validated academic degree and supervised practice program — must successfully pass the RDN exam. Visit ACEND to learn more.

 

Source: https://www.eatright.org/become-an-rdn

Pathway to RDN at UCM

Option 1 – Nutrition Minor (open to all majors)

Nutrition Minor (32 hours)

The minor in Nutrition will give students the necessary prerequisites needed for the MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program and addresses the change in The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) entry-level eligibility requirements for dietitians.

Minor Requirements 32 Semester Hours

ACCT 1101 – Found. of Financial Reporting (3)
BIOL 2510 – Basic Genetics (3)*
BIOL 3401 – Human Anatomy (3)*
BIOL 3402 – Human Physiology (5)
BIOL 3611 – Microbiology (4)*
CHEM 1604 – Elem. Organic and Biochem (4)*
D&N 3340 – Nutrition (3)*
D&N 4010 - Advanced Nutrition (3)
FOOD 2320 – Sanitation and Safety (1)
FOOD 2322 – Food Preparation (3)*

NOTE:

*This course has a prerequisite not listed in the program (most are CHEM 1104 or 1131).

Option 2 for Kinesiology Majors (Exercise Science, Pre AT, Pre OT, Pre PT)

Kinesiology Major w/ Nutrition Minor (Exercise Science, Pre-AT, Pre-OT, Pre-PT) = 21 hours

ACCT 1101 – Foundations of Financial Reporting (3)
BIOL 2510 – Basic Genetics (3)*
BIOL 3611 – Microbiology (4)*
CHEM 1604 – Elementary Organic and Biochemistry (4)*
D&N 4010 - Advanced Nutrition (3)
FOOD 2320 – Sanitation and Safety (1)
FOOD 2322 – Food Preparation (3)*

Option 3 for Kinesiology Majors (Corporate Fitness)

Kinesiology Major w/ Nutrition Minor (Corporate Fitness) = 18 hours

BIOL 2510 – Basic Genetics (3)*
BIOL 3611 – Microbiology (4)*
CHEM 1604 – Elementary Organic and Biochemistry (4)*
D&N 4010 - Advanced Nutrition (3)
FOOD 2320 – Sanitation and Safety (1)
FOOD 2322 – Food Preparation (3)*

Option 4 for Health Studies Majors

Health Studies Major w/ Nutrition Minor = 21 hours

ACCT 1101 – Foundations of Financial Reporting (3)
BIOL 2510 – Basic Genetics (3)*
BIOL 3611 – Microbiology (4)*
CHEM 1604 – Elementary Organic and Biochemistry (4)*
NUTR 4010 - Advanced Nutrition (3)
FOOD 2320 – Sanitation and Safety (1)
FOOD 2322 – Food Preparation (3)*

Option 5 for Biology Area 6 Pre-Med/Pre-Dental/Pre-Vet Majors

Biology Area 6 Pre-Med / Pre-Dental / Pre-Vet w/ Nutrition Minor = 13 hours

ACCT 1101 – Foundations of Financial Reporting (3)
D&N 3340 – Nutrition (3)*
D&N 4010 - Advanced Nutrition (3)
FOOD 2320 – Sanitation and Safety (1)
FOOD 2322 – Food Preparation (3)*

Program Costs

Estimated Cost of Attendance for Academic Year 2024-25

Tuition/Fees
*Per credit hour rates do not include mandatory, technology, program, or course fees. Additional course/program fee per credit hour may be applicable.

Graduate Online Tuition for didactic courses (33 credits)

Graduate tuition for Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) courses.

$425.00 per credit hour for both Missouri and Out of State Residents for the didactic portion (33credit hours) of the program.

For the SEL portion (10 credit hours) you will need to pay $733.00 per credit hour if you are an out of state resident. There are some exceptions to this rule and you will find additional information here.

Housing

n/a for courses offered online during the first two semesters but during SEL (last 2 semesters), housing in the Kansas City area will be necessary

The cost of accommodation in the Kansas City/Warrensburg area depends on whether you plan to share an apartment/room in an individual house The lower range provided below reflects shared housing.

Warrensburg- $300 - 800/month
Kansas City-$600 - 1100/month

Textbooks

Varies depending on course load

$600-$1000 per semester

Liability Insurance

Prior to NUTR 6000

Covered by University

Background Check

Required for SEL Sites

$38.50 + $2.00 admin. fee

TB Test

Some facilities require a TB test verification before a student enters the facility

$10

Drug Testing

Required for SEL Sites

$42 + $2 admin. fee

Uniform

Dependent on SEL Sites

Varies

Travel

n/a for online courses and dependent on SEL Sites and regional or national meetings

Varies

RD Exam Study Guide

Available resource

No charge

Subscriptions

Neehrperfect

 

 

 

NutriCalc

 

Electronic Health Records for MNT, Advanced MNT Nutrition Education and Counseling Courses

 

Software for Dietary Analysis Projects

 

$60-$120

 

 

 

$20

Memberships

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
Students are strongly encouraged to join AND early in their curriculum. Student membership includes free access to educational and training materials, reduced registration fees for professional meetings, and the monthly professional journal. Student membership is required for scholarships sponsored by AND and its affiliates.

MO Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MOAND)

 

Kansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association

$58 per year for student membership (8 year maximum allowed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(Included in AND Membership)

 

 
$15 per year

UCM Graduation Fee

 

$50

*Program costs are variable and subject to change.

Application and Admission Requirements

Admittance to the MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program requires completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or comparable degree from a recognized foreign institution prior to the start of the program.

GPA – A minimum 3.0 point cumulative undergraduate GPA on a 4-point scale is required across all coursework taken at all accredited institutions.

*Prerequisites – Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of B or higher is required prior to beginning the professional program. Program prerequisites include either completion of a U.S. Dietetics Program or transcripts showing the completion of all of the prerequisite courses listed below.

ACCT 1101 – Foundations of Financial Reporting (3 credits)
BIOL 2510 Basic Genetics (3 credits) or BIOL 3511 Genetics w/lab (4 credits)
BIOL 3611 Microbiology with lab (4-5 credits)
BIOL 3401 Human Anatomy with lab (3 credits)
BIOL 3402 Human Physiology with lab (5 credits)
CHEM 1104 General Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
CHEM 1604 Organic and Biochemistry with lab (4 credits)
D&N 3340 Nutrition
D&N 4010 Advanced Nutrition (3 credits)
FOOD 2322 Food Preparation with lab (3-4 credits)
FOOD 2320 Sanitation and Safety (1 credit)

*Program prerequisites may be completed at any accredited institution. For questions on articulations and/or transfer equivalencies, please contact our Program Director, Dr. Meera Penumetcha at penumetcha@ucmo.edu.

Credit for Prior Learning Experiences

Supervised practice experiences or experiential learning completed prior to the start of the program will not be considered as replacements of the program’s required applied experiences.

Academic Calendar and Program Timeline

Link to UCM’s academic calendar: https://www.ucmo.edu/calendar/

The program follows the academic calendar for all courses with the exception of, NUTR 6010, NUTR 6011 and NUTR 6012. These three courses indicate supervised experiential learning hours. The total number of hours that you will spend in each rotation is set by the program. However, the schedule for days of the week is set by the institution and preceptor. For example, during clinical rotations a preceptor might expect you to work during the thanksgiving break which as per UCM schedule is a student holiday break from Nov25-29 in 2024. If they expect you to work a couple of days during that week you will need to follow through. Occasionally preceptors might expect you to work on a Saturday or a Sunday.

Timeline for FEM/GP

Semester 1- Fall

Total Credits 12

UCM academic calendar?

NUTR 5010

Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (3)

Yes

NUTR 5011

Food Systems Management (3)

Yes

NUTR 5012

Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)

Yes

NUTR 5013

Practical Applications in Nutrition Research (3)

Yes

*Must earn cumulative GPA of 3.00 on first semester courses to advance in Program

Semester 2-Spring

Total Credits 13

NUTR 5014

Advanced Community Nutrition (3)

Yes

NUTR 5015

Macronutrients (3)

Yes

NUTR 5016

Micronutrients (3)

Yes

NUTR 5017

Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy-(3)

Yes

NUTR 6013

Capstone Project (1)

Yes

Semester 3-Summer

Total Credits  10-11

NUTR 5018

Nutrition Education and Counseling (3)

Yes

NUTR 5019

Nutrition Across the Lifespan- (3)

Yes

NUTR 6010 OR NUTR 6011 OR NUTR 6012

Supervised Experiential Learning-Clinical (4),
Community or Food Service Management (3)

Yes, but could change based on the requirements of the rotation site and preceptor request

NUTR 6013

Capstone Project (1)

Yes

Semester 4-Fall

Total Credits 7-8

NUTR 6010 OR NUTR 6011 OR NUTR 6012

Supervised Experiential Learning-Clinical (4),
Community or Food Service Management (3)

Yes, but could change based on the requirements of the rotation site and preceptor request

NUTR 6013

Capstone Project (1)

Yes

 

Total hours 43 (30 Didactic, 10 Experiential, 3 Capstone)

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the online application with a  $30 application fee by the application to be considered for admission to the program in the fall semester.

International Students Only. In addition to the above items, all international applicants must submit an acceptable, official (reported directly from ETS) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. TOEFL scores must be submitted by Educational Testing Services (ETS) directly to the University of Central Missouri’s Testing Services Office (660-543-4919). The ETS code for UCM is 6090. 

In addition to the online application, the following materials must be submitted by the deadline: 

Submission of a current resume which details paid and volunteer experiences.

A Statement of Goals - A statement should  include the following (approximately 1000 words):   

  • Why did you choose UCM?
  • What relevant educational, professional and research experiences do you have in the nutrition/dietetics field?
  • Why do you want to become a registered dietitian?
  • What are your short- and long-term professional/career goals?

Transcripts – Submission of official transcripts from corresponding institution where your bachelor's degree was earned plus any extra from other insitutions where prerequsites have been taken since that time.

Letters of Recommendation - Applicants must submit three (3) letters of recommendation:  two from faculty, one from clinical/research supervisor or employer. Choose people who have knowledge of your strengths and goals.

Finalists will be selected for a Virtual Interview before decision is made on admission.

Maximum number of students admitted to the program will be 15 per cohort.

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

Students completing the MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program will earn a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Degree. In order to earn this degree, students must successfully complete all required didactic courses, and SEL rotations. The curriculum consists of 43 total required credits (30 didactic, 10 SEL, and 3 capstone) which can be completed in 1 1/2 years. Upon successful completion of the program requirements students will earn a verification statement making them eligible to sit for the CDR exam.

A verification statement will be awarded to all students who successfuly complete the program requirements including required courses and supervised experiential learning hours. Students completing the MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program must also meet all ACEND Competencies and Performance Indicators found in the Student Handbook.

University graduation requirements can be found here: https://catalog.ucmo.edu/content.php?catoid=21&navoid=908

Financial Aid

UCM offers federal loans and employment aid programs.  Each student’s economic situation is recognized as unique, and every federal financial aid application is examined on an individual basis. It is very important for each applicant to:

  1. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time.
  2. Comply with all financial aid instructions, procedures, and requests for information and documents.
  3. Enroll at least half-time (four or more graduate credit hours) each semester in courses that are applicable to the degree program.

Contact UCM’s Student Financial Services office with any questions or concerns you may have:

In person: Ward Edwards Building 1100
Telephone: 660-543-8266
Fax: 660-543-8080

Federal financial assistance can be used to help pay direct educational expenses, such as fees, books and supplies, as well as variable living costs, such as off-campus housing, food, transportation, childcare, and other personal costs related to attending UCM. Although the responsibility for meeting educational and living costs lies with the student, financial aid from the following federal program can be awarded to supplement a student’s ability to pay his/her total expenses. Any other assistance received must be included and could impact a student’s eligibility for federal aid.

To be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid, students must have a documented record of attendance in the classes for which they enroll. Registration for classes is not sufficient to prove attendance. A student who receives or otherwise benefits from federal or state financial aid, but has no documented record of attendance in the class(es) for which (s)he is enrolled, is not eligible to have received/benefited from the aid, and will be required to repay all or part of the federal and state assistance credited to his/her UCM account for the semester.  For information on return of federal funds, review the Student Financial Services policy.

Federal Financial Aid Available to Graduate Students:

Student Loans - Low-interest unsubsidized Stafford Loans are the only type of federal aid available to graduate students, and must be repaid, but usually not until after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops to less than half-time enrollment status.

Satisfactory Academic Progress - Federal law requires that each graduate student who wishes to continue receiving federal financial aid maintain satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of his or her master’s program. Satisfactory academic progress is defined as having successfully completed at least two-thirds of the credit hours attempted during their degree program in order to be eligible for financial aid for the subsequent year. In addition, a graduate student must maintain at least a 3.00 cumulative graduate GPA.

Regina Myers McClain Scholarship

Every student accepted into the MS Clinical Nutrition Graduate Program will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Regina Myers McClain Scholarship Fund through the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation in the fall of the semester they begin the program.

Requirements and Expectations Related to Distance Education

Students will need access to a computer with camera, a high-speed Internet connection, and updated version of a web browser, and access to common tools and software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, (provided to UCM students) as well as program specific software listed above under Program Costs. Technical support is provided by our Technology Support Center at tsc@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4357.

Supervised Experiential Learning Sites

UCMs Program Coordinator will work with students on being placed with our Preceptors in various Supervised Experiential Learning settings. We have affiliation agreements with the following sites to date:

Facility

SEL Experience

Western Missouri Medical Center

Clinical

Lee’s Summit Hospital-HCA

Clinical

Golden Valley Memorial Hospital

Clinical

John Knox Village

Clinical

Bothwell Regional Hospital

Clinical

University Health

Clinical

North Kansas City Hospital

Clinical

St. Lukes Hospital

Clinical

UCM-Sodexo Dining

Food Service/Management

Western Missouri Medical Center

Food Service/Management

John Knox Village

Food Service/Management

Lee’s Summit R7 School District

Food Service/Management

Warrensburg R-VI School District

Food Service/Management

Children’s Mercy- Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition Initiative

Community

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment

Community

Student Handbook

Preceptor Information

Learn more about preceptor information and opportunities.

Learn more here


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact

Meera Penumetcha, PhD, RDN
Associate Professor and Nutrition Program Director
Morrow 130
Tel: (660) 543-8904

 

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