When does the program start?
Fall 2026
Will you have an open house on campus or virtual information sessions?
We hold regular virtual information sessions and record them for prospective students who are unable to attend. Session content is often driven by questions from participants, thus may differ slightly from session to session.
What is the cost of this program?
Tuition and fee information is available at https://www.emory.edu/home/admission/tuition.html
The total cost to students completing the full-time 4-semester, Master of Science degree is: $87,550.
Additional fees associated with the MSCN Program are outlined below.
While these costs are variable and may change, the current estimated costs of the program, not including tuition and University fees, are:
- Program (DICAS) application fee $50 (one time)
- Academy Membership (required) $58 (annual)
- Greater Atlanta Dietetic Association Membership (optional) $15 (annual)
- Books and labs ~$800
- Incoming Student Enrollment Fee $500
- Technology Fee $250
- SEL Intensive One-Time Lab Fee $600
- SEL Make-Up Fee $250
- Students are responsible for covering all associated SEL and on campus intensive costs, including transportation, housing, meals, and any other expenses.
- Health Insurance (Proof required)
*Facilities vary on background check, drug screen, immunization, and medical examination requirements. In the event that you are placed within a facility that charges a fee for these services, you will be responsible for payment.
- Professional liability insurance is covered by Emory University. Students may wish to purchase additional coverage at their own expense.
What about supplies or dress code for the program?
Professional Dress Expectations:
Students are expected to maintain a professional appearance in both academic and clinical environments
Academic Setting:
- Attire should reflect professionalism, with good grooming, neatness, and cleanliness
- Clothing should be well-maintained, properly fitted, and free of suggestive or transparent fabric
- House shoes are not permissible.
Clinical Setting
- Business casual attire is required for the first day of each new clinical rotation; preceptors may request similar dress on subsequent days
- Most clinical facilities require a white lab coat and name tag
- Name badges must be visible and worn at all times
- Jewelry should be minimal, and fingernails must be clean and of appropriate length—artificial nails are prohibited
- Excessive use of aftershave, cologne, perfume, or makeup is discouraged.
What about financial aid?
Students who have not used all of their federal loan eligibility from a prior degree may be eligible for student loans. Most students finance the MSCN degree with a combination of personal funds and private loans.
How is a sense of community built among classmates living in distant locations?
Students attend both synchronous and asynchronous classes together and are expected to work together every day to respond to questions and contribute to discussions. You also work together on group projects. Our class size of no more than 40 students naturally encourages group interaction to develop during onsite sessions and in group projects.
Our faculty are also an important part of the learning community. When courses are in progress, faculty are available during virtual office hours and via telephone and email as needed to facilitate learning and support students.
Should students be concerned about joining a distance-based nutrition program?
Students should feel confident joining the online Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition at Emory University. Housed in the #1-ranked Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (NHWSN), this program meets Future Education Model Accreditation Standards and provides advanced training in research, leadership, and community engagement.
With expert faculty support and a strong interdisciplinary approach, distance-based students receive the same high-quality education and mentorship as on-campus learners. This program ensures graduates are well-prepared for successful careers in clinical nutrition.
How do students in the program preserve a positive work/life balance?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance in this rigorous, our-semester program requires careful planning and support. A reasonable number of hours to ensure patient safety and promote effective student learning should not exceed 64 hours per week. This time commitment includes the sum of the hours spent in class and all clinical hours averaged over 7 weeks (summer) and 15 weeks (fall/spring). While the program is intense, it is designed to efficiently lead to a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and eligibility for the CRD Registration Exam for Dietitians. Due to the demanding schedule, employment is discouraged, and no adjustments are made for work conflicts.
To set yourself up for success, it’s important to plan ahead. Discuss the commitment with family and significant others, streamline your budget, and establish healthy habits such as proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Building a support network with classmates and engaging with faculty mentors will also help foster a sense of community. Additionally, practicing effective coping strategies like mindfulness or yoga can support mental well-being throughout the program.
What is the job outlook for students in the program?
The demand for registered dietitians is projected to grow significantly, with an estimated 21-26% increase by 2030. Graduates of the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program must pass the CDR Registration Exam for Dietitians to obtain Registered Dietitian licensure, with the program’s final months dedicated to exam preparation through review courses and assessments.
Most students take the Registration Exam for Dietitians within 12 months of graduation and secure employment within that timeframe. According to ACEND, graduate programs have a higher pass rate on the Registration Exam for Dietitians and an 88% job placement rate within one year. Additionally, some graduates may choose to pursue doctoral studies in fields like Nutrition or Education. Emory offers a graduate doctoral program for Nutrition and Health Sciences (NHS) that may be of interest.
Specific program outcomes data are available upon request.
ELIGIBILITY AND ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS
Will students be able to enroll from anywhere in the United States?
Yes, all 50 states and territories are eligible to enroll in our program.
When are application materials due?
Completed applications are reviewed as they are received. (See website tab for admission requirements.) If you are notified that a cohort is full, you are advised to notify the Office of StudentEnrollment if you would like to be considered for admission in the next cycle. Applicants are not required to submit a second deposit or resubmit materials already present in their application file. For questions about the application process, please contact the School of Nursing's Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs at 404.727.7980.
How are candidates evaluated for admission?
Completed applications are reviewed in a holistic process that includes evaluation of transcripts, and work and life experiences. If there are factors that you would like to be considered that are not required as part of the application, you should communicate these in your application. You may be asked to participate in an interview as a part of the admission process.
Do you require all transcripts if I have attended multiple schools?
Yes. All transcripts must be submitted, even if only one class was taken at an institution. Science and life science-related courses and grades receive particular attention.
How do I accept an offer of admission?
Once you’re admitted, a deposit is required to hold your place in the program and is applied to your first tuition bill.
Does Emory offer online prerequisite classes?
Emory does not offer online prerequisite courses. Prerequisites can be taken at any accredited university, either online or on campus. Please note the credit hours required to fulfill admission eligibility requirements. Applicants should contact the Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs with questions about whether courses fulfill the prerequisite requirements.
Course Work Questions
What is the format for the distance classes?
Courses will be offered in four consecutive semesters--refer to the current plan of study for specific courses. Our curriculum, using the clinical judgment model, uses an active learning approach in which you must be present and participate to receive maximum benefit. Prior to scheduled class times (based on Eastern Standard Time), students prepare by watching pre-recorded lectures and completing course readings. During scheduled real-time class sessions, students participate in active learning strategies, including discussions among class members, for application and analysis of course content.
Students should plan to spend 8-10 hours per day working on assignments, readings, and studying. Supervised Experiential Learning rotations vary based on the preceptor’s daily schedule; we anticipate, however, that preceptors work standard 8-hour shifts. Students should expect some course assignments to be due during rotations, but your rotation requirements will never conflict with scheduled class sessions.
How are students tested?
We use an online proctoring service for testing to ensure test integrity. Testing is at an application and evaluation level using multiple choice, multiple-multiple choice and other methods to prepare you for the CRD Registration Exam for Dietitians.
How are distance nutrition students prepared for clinical practice, and how is simulation incorporated into the program?
Preparation for clinical practice includes virtual and in-person simulations designed to build foundational skills in a controlled environment before entering clinical settings. Students engage in online modules and interactive case studies to gain essential learning experiences. Additionally, when students begin their clinical rotations, they will be under the supervision of a registered dietitian preceptor and an Emory clinical faculty member. These preparatory steps ensure students are well-equipped for real-world practice while upholding a high standard of competence and care.
Where do students stay during visits to campus? Are transportation and lodging provided?
Students will be required to attend two on-campus intensives and are responsible forcovering all associated costs, including but not limited to transportation, housing, meals, and any other personal or academic expenses incurred during the intensive period. The School of Nursing does not reimburse or arrange accommodations or travel for campus intensives. Students must make their own arrangements for lodging and transportation and should plan accordingly to ensure their attendance and full participation in all required intensive sessions.
Can I receive credit for previous course work or learning experiences?
The Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program follows a structured curriculum designed to meet accreditation and competency requirements for becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). While we recognize the value of prior education and experience, credit for prior learning is awarded only in specific cases and must align with program competencies and accreditation standards.
Students with a DPD verification statement may have knowledge in areas related to other competencies; while we believe the MSCN program will strengthen that knowledge and better prepare students for the registration examination, we are willing to consider prior learning. You are allowed up to 9credit hours during the program. All requests must be given to the Program director prior to starting the program. These requests will be reviewed by the Program Director and the Registrar Office. At minimum syllabi and examples of competency will be requested, further documentation may be requested to determine transfer credit eligibility.
Courses are non-transferable if they cannot be used in the approved Plan of Study or do not meet the standard of an NHWSN transfer course as determined by course faculty. Transfer credit will not be awarded if the course was used to satisfy requirements for a previous degree. The grade(s) earned from transfer credits will not be included in the GPA calculation.
Our goal is to ensure that all students meet the highest standards of competency and preparation for the RDN credentialing process. If you have prior learning experiences you would like to be evaluated, please contact the program administration for guidance on the review process.
Clinical Placement Questions
How are clinical sites and preceptors chosen in the state where I live? Will I make the clinical site arrangement or will Emory?
Students are not responsible for securing their own supervised experiential learning (SEL) sites and preceptors. We do require suggestions of placements that are close to where you live at time of application. Our clinical placement team will reach out to those contacts and start the process of securing preceptors. Emory will outline the necessarycriteria and expectations for SEL sites and preceptors, helping students navigate the process. While placements in the suggested locations are not guaranteed, the program works closely with students to ensure they meet their clinical practice requirements within the designated timeframe.
How does Emory evaluate clinical sites and preceptors, and how is clinical performance evaluated?
Local clinical preceptors work with school-assigned clinical site faculty visitors to support your clinical experience, including review of course objectives, clinical assignments and student evaluations. Site evaluations also occur annually, or more frequently if needed.
