Graduate Nutrition Programs
Pursue a Career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
No matter where you are in your academic journey, Simmons offers everything you need to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). You can combine our ACEND-accredited Master of Science with the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and a Dietetic Internship (DI) to meet the requirements to sit for the RDN registration exam.
You can earn your Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion and complete your Dietetic Internship in one of two ways:
- MS and Simmons Dietetic Internship: Complete both your degree and internship at Simmons. Choose a concentration in Community Nutrition & Wellness, Treatment of Eating Disorders, or Pediatrics, and gain real-world experience through our network.
- MS and Partner Dietetic Internship: Complete your MS degree at Simmons and complete the Dietetic internship with one of our partner institutions, such as Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Wellness Workdays, or BeWell Solutions.
Advance Your Career in Nutrition and Health Promotion
The MS in Nutrition and Health Promotion gives you advanced expertise in nutrition, fitness, and wellness, along with the leadership skills to make an impact. Choose to study fully online or on our Boston campus in the heart of Boston’s medical hub.
Specialize your experience with one of two tracks:
- Applied Nutrition Science: Strengthen your research skills and deepen your understanding of the science behind nutrition and health promotion
- Entrepreneurship: Build the business and leadership tools to launch or expand your own nutrition venture
Simmons University’s graduate nutrition programs offer a flexible, customizable path to advance your career. Our expert faculty members are committed to providing an education that’s both evidence-based and practical. You’ll join a community of students from diverse academic backgrounds — some are career changers from outside the sciences, while others come with strong foundations in scientific study. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for careers in research, community nutrition, private practice, and beyond.
“I knew that Simmons had a strong reputation for dietitians, and the Department of Nutrition offers a great nutrition program. A lot of schools do not offer an internship path to become a dietitian, so I realized that Simmons would create an easy pathway to obtain my license to become a registered dietitian.”
— Clarissa Palencia ’24
97%
Simmons Dietetic Internship Program RDN Exam Pass Rate
Simmons graduates consistently surpass the national pass rate average on the Registration Exam for Dietitian Nutritionists. The national average is 88%.
100+
Years of History of Nutrition Education at Simmons
Simmons’ history of nutrition education spans more than a century, highlighted by our department’s many contributions to nutrition science, health, and wellness.
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Certificate and DPD + MS Combined Program
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Certificate provides the coursework you need to start that journey. Our ACEND-accredited DPD program is the first step toward becoming an RDN, and students often pursue a combined DPD+MS in Nutrition to prepare to apply to a Dietetic Internship program.
Dietetic Internship (DI) Certificate and combined MS/ DI Program
The Dietetic Internship (DI) Certificate offers the supervised practice experience required for RDN eligibility. Through tailored placements and mentorship, you’ll gain real-world experience and the professional skills to launch your nutrition career. Students who do not hold a master’s degree already pursue the MS Nutrition + Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program at Simmons to become eligible for the RDN exam.
Sports Nutrition Certificate
If you’re interested in learning how nutrition impacts athletic training, Simmons offers an online Graduate Certificate in Sports Nutrition (CSN). In this credentialing program, you’ll integrate nutrition with exercise science and build skills in personal training and fitness. You can complete our flexible online courses in 1 or 2 years. Many students opt to add the CSN to another Simmons graduate nutrition program to expand their health and wellness practice further and prepare for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health/Fitness Instructors Exam.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Health Science and Nursing Preview Day
- Aug 5, 2026
- 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115