What is a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who works in a wide variety of employment settings. An RD understands the science of nutrition and is skilled in the art of teaching and counseling. The UNMC Master of Medical Nutrition program will prepare you to be an RD or RDN.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023.

For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Master of Medical Nutrition program at the University of Nebraska are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. In Nebraska, graduates also must obtain licensure to provide medical nutrition therapy.

Find more information from ACEND about educational pathways to become a RDN.