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Logo of Great Plains Interactive Distance Education AllianceThe Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) leverages the resources and exceptional faculty from eight top universities to offer an online, 36-credit hour master's degree in dietetics and nutrition.

Admittance is limited to only credentialed registered dietitians (RD) or registry-eligible individuals having met all requirements of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for registration.

You can enroll for all courses through your home institution, such as KU Medical Center, but the actual courses are delivered online from any of the participating universities and their respective faculty members.

How long does the program take?

Several factors affect the time it will take to complete the degree requirements:

  • the semester start date,
  • the specific courses offered each semester and
  • the student's desired course load each semester.

Many students in this program are working professionals with job and family responsibilities, and this program allows the flexibility to take the number of courses that work in the student's schedule.

Taking two courses each semester (including summers) should allow students to complete the program in approximately two years. Visit the course planner on the Great Plains IDEA website.

View Other Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Eligibility and admissions questions
Kendra Spaeth
GPIDEA campus coordinator and course advisor
913-588-8992 or dietetics@kumc.edu

Research questions
Jeannine Goetz, Ph.D., RD
GPIDEA program director
913-588-1449 or jgoetz@kumc.edu

After Completing the Degree

KU's master's degree program in dietetics and nutrition does not provide eligibility for professional licensing for employment at this time. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

School of Health Professions

Dietetics and Nutrition
KU Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Mailstop 4013
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-5355 • 711 TTY