Career Guide

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) must meet the following criteria:

• Receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college that includes course work approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly the American Dietetic Association.
• Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised internship at a health-care facility, community agency, food service corporation, or practicum combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. These typically run from 6 - 12 months.
• Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
• A Master’s degree is required to take the CDR registration examination for dietitians.
  

Some RDNs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support and diabetes education.

Transfer college course requirements vary significantly. Contact each institution for specific information and to verify course transferability.

Typical prerequisite courses include: Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics, Algebra, Chemistry, Psychology or Sociology, food service and management courses.

Examples of MCC Courses:

BIO 144 Anatomy & Physiology I
BIO 145 Anatomy & Physiology II *
BIO 202 Microbiology
BIO 221 Biochemistry *
PSY 101 Intro to Psychological Science or SOC 101 Intro to Sociology
MTH 160 Statistics I
MTH 165 College Algebra
CHE 151 & 152 General College Chemistry I & II
CHE 251 Organic Chemistry I
FSA 108 Principles of Healthy Cooking
HSP 201 Hospitality Human Resources Management
FSA or BIO 117 Basic Consumer Nutrition
FSA 106 Food Safety and Sanitation

Courses in business, accounting, psychology, economics, sociology, philosophy, governmental policies and health may be required. Some examples: ACC 101, ECO 111, PHL 101 or 103.

* Take BIO 221 Biochemistry if planning to transfer to SUNY Buffalo State OR take BIO 145 Anatomy and Physiology II if planning to transfer to RIT or SUNY Plattsburgh

Note that all courses listed above may not be required to be completed at MCC prior to transfer to a 4-year college.

These programs are competitive; a strong GPA and transcript are required.

Only graduates of ACEND accredited programs are eligible to take the exam to become a Registered Dietitian or Dietetic Technician. Visit eatright.org to locate accredited programs.

Local ACEND Accredited Programs in New York State:

• Cornell University
• D’Youville University
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• SUNY Buffalo State
• SUNY University at Buffalo (UB)
• SUNY Oneonta
• SUNY Plattsburgh
• Syracuse University
• Utica University
  

SPECIAL NOTES:

Rochester Institute of Technology:
GPA of 3.0 or higher is advised for acceptance to RIT. The Program Director at RIT is happy to meet with students and further discuss the program and options. Please do not hesitate to reach out. Students planning to complete the MS in Dietetics and Nutrition will be most competitive if they obtain a B or higher in science courses. It is strongly advised to complete CHMB 402 at RIT before transferring. It is offered on-line and can be taken in the summer.

- Students will be required to complete two semesters of co-ops upon transferring to RIT if an Associate's degree is achieved or they transfer at least 60 credits. If not, 3 co-ops will be required. These are typically completed during the summer.

- With required course sequences and prerequisites, transfer students must complete a minimum of 4 semesters at RIT. A Dietetic Internship is no longer required for a student to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist exam. Instead, students complete an accredited master’s program. RIT has an accredited master’s program and an accelerated track for students to potentially complete the nutritional sciences BS and an MS degree in five years. There is information about this option on the RIT Nutritional Sciences website.

SUNY Buffalo State:
Cumulative minimum 2.75 GPA advised for acceptance at Buffalo State University in Dietetics. Selection is based on GPA, completion of prerequisite courses, personal statement, faculty interviews, faculty/employer recommendations, and volunteer/work experience. Additional prerequisite courses may need to be completed at Buff State before acceptance into program.

ACEND Approved Distance Education (On-Line) Programs:

Use the following link in order to determine which institutions offer ACEND Approved Distance Education (On-Line) programs.

USDL, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dietitians and Nutritionists

While every effort is made to ensure that the information in this guide is accurate, students are advised to contact transfer institutions for specific course requirements and the most up-to-date information.

Updated 09/25/2025