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Department of Nutrition

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer distance education?

• There is an online MPH offered in public health practice. See the office of Distance Learning.

• Two of our courses are offered on-line. Contemporary Issues in Vegetarian Nutrition will be offered in Fall 2005 and Public Health Nutrition will be offered in Winter 2006.

• Usually it takes nine quarters to complete the MPH/RD program. For those who have a BS degree in nutrition, it may take seven or eight quarters. The MPH without the RD track takes six quarters. Completion of the DrPH degree depends on the research, but the average is 4 to 5 years.

• We accept applications at any time. Students may begin the MPH at any quarter, however the ideal time to begin is summer or fall quarter because of the sequencing of some classes.

• Yes, see our application.

• Classes within the Nutrition major range from about eight to 20 students. Classes taken by MPH students in other majors may have 40-60 students.

• Although there is no specific cut off, a GPA of 3.0 or above and GRE score above 1500 is recommended.

• The average pass rate of MPH graduates taking the RD exam the first time is 95%.

• Not at this time. However, students are usually successful in their application for a number of outside scholarships available to nutrition students. Students have received from $200 to $5000 for individual scholarships.

• In the Department of Nutrition there are occasionally funded research projects that can provide some support for the international students.

• Yes, for those with US citizenship or green cards who are financially eligible.

Do I have to be a Seventh-day Adventist to be accepted at Loma Linda University?

• No. The student body represents all of the major world religions and Christian denominations. However, all degree programs require one religion course and chapel attendance is required for all students.

• No. Although only vegetarian meals are served in all campus food centers, and vegetarian nutrition is stressed in the nutrition department curriculum, students are not required to abstain from either meat or caffeine.

MPH program

I want to pursue a master's together with a dietetic internship; do you have a combined program?

• The MPH in public health nutrition (Track 2) is a coordinated program approved by the American Dietetic Association. It combines the MPH degree with professional practice (?internship?) so the graduate may sit for the Registration Examination to become a Registered Dietitian.

Does your coordinated program participate in the American Dietetic Association matching program?

• No. Since this is a coordinated program, students are accepted into the ?package as a whole? which includes both a didactic component (which is coursework) and the supervised practice component (which is the internship). The matching process is not needed. Coordinated programs are required to provide a minimum of 900 hours of supervised practice and these hours are incorporated into the coursework and practicum requirements of the program.

Is the graduate-level program, which is linked to the MPH degree an accredited program?

• Yes. The graduate-level coordinated program is currently granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, 312-899-5400.

My baccalaureate degree major was in a field other than foods or nutrition. Am I eligible to enroll in the Master of Public Health MPH program in nutrition?

• Yes. The prerequisites for the MPH in nutrition are a bachelor-level degree and the satisfactory completion of designated prerequisite courses.

What are the prerequisite coursework of this program?

• The prerequisites for the MPH in nutrition are: chemistry (through organic), physiology, microbiology, food selection/preparation and human nutrition.

Do I have to complete all of the prerequisite courses before entering the MPH program?

• Yes. Generally prerequisites must be completed before enrollment.

MS Program

What can I do with a Master of Science in Nutrition that I can't do with a baccalaureate degree?

• You can use this as a stepping-stone for a PhD or MD degree. It also opens doors to jobs as a research assistant and to teach in community colleges.

Do I have to complete all of the prerequisites before entering the MS program?

• Yes, except biochemistry which can be taken here as a co-requisite.

My baccalaureate degree was in another field. Can I enter the Master of Science program in Nutrition?

• Yes, as long as all the prerequisite classes have been taken.

• An MS with RD would be necessary. We offer an MS coordinated program that can prepare you for this. Also, check the MPH degree.

• Yes. Through our coordinated program you can become RD eligible. Then you would take the board exam to become an RD.

DrPH program

• Anatomy and Physiology, Behavioral Science (one course), Advanced Biochemistry, GRE, a master's degree in nutrition or a health professional degree at the doctoral level.

• Yes, except Biochemistry can be taken as a co-requisite.

What kind of research can I be involved in with the School of Public Health and department of nutrition?

• Research in the area of human nutrition with special emphasis on plant based diets and disease prevention. Research approach could include nutrition, education, epidemiology, clinical or metabolic research.

• Yes. We have a two-part comprehensive exam. Part 1 is nutrition based and Part 2 is research based. A minimum of 70 percent has to be secured in both parts to pass the exam.

• Yes. In addition, two publishable papers are required.