Master of Public Health/RD

The MPH/RD program is for students who would like to become registered dietitians and who do not already have a master's degree, particularly those who would like a career in public health nutrition but who feel the RD training and/or certification is important to that career. To be accepted into the joint MPH/RD program, you must have a verification letter from an undergraduate nutrition department indicating that you have acquired the required competencies by the American Dietetic Association (ADA).  Our Department does not offer all courses that may be required by the ADA to obtain this verification letter.  Therefore, if you are interested in the RD program but have not majored in nutrition in college, you will probably need to take additional undergraduate nutrition courses and should speak with the dietetic internship director, Marsha Piacun at di@tulane.edu.  The verification statement is not necessary for admissions into the MPH program. 

When you apply to our department, you should write in your personal statement that you are requesting to be admitted to the joint MPH/RD program. If you are accepted, you will complete the MPH program first and then enter the dietetic internship.  Entrance into the internship is conditional on successful progress through the MPH program, as evidenced by 
transcripts and additional letters of recommendation from Tulane faculty.  The dietetic internship will count as your capstone experience, so your MPH degree cannot be awarded until the internship is completed. The entire combined program will take about 24-30 months to complete. For more information, contact Marsha Piacun at di@tulane.edu.

Application Requirements

Course descriptions

Download the Dietetic Internship Brochure