What to Expect

Tuition/Fees

Students should consult the CSULB Cost of Attendance for Standard Graduate Programs for a complete picture about the financial demands for school, which should take into consideration your living expenses, transportation, etc. The cost of tuition will vary based on whether or not you are a California resident. 

Our program has 3, full-time semesters during the academic year and two summer sessions. You can look at “Graduate and Post-Bacc Fees” on the CSULB Tuition and Fees website for specific cost breakdowns by semester in fall and spring. Summer tuition cost is based on unit totals and the GP estimates can be obtained be looking at the State-Support Graduate Fee Schedule.

Note that this is simply an estimate and not a guarantee of program costs, as fees may vary depending on your personal circumstances and financial aid situation. Our program will require commuting to supervised learning sites, and fees related to car maintenance, fueling, and parking are not part of these estimates. 

Professional Expenses

The following expenses are expected to occur annually:

The following one-time expenses will also be expected:

• Physical Examination & Immunizations - $300
• Lab coat - $45

Professional Meetings and Events

In keeping with the mission of the GP at CSULB, which promotes service to diverse populations and advocacy for good in their workplaces and communities, students will be expected to pay for registration and attendance meetings of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CAND), Los Angeles or Orange County District Districts, or the annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition (FNCE), if held locally in Southern California. Students must attend at least three meetings that are approved for professional CEUs. Students must submit a double-spaced, typed report summarizing the meeting and significant lessons learned (about 1 page) for each meeting attended. These reports will be due during the student’s final Exit interview in NUTR 520. Furthermore, it is the policy of the GP that all students maintain student membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) for the duration of their time in the program. Proof of this will be required during orientation week. 

Attendance at CAND meetings and other seminars, medical rounds, in‑service programs, and continuing education activities may occur as part of the student’s community SEL in legislation and with non-profit organizations. If so, attendance at these meetings may count toward the meetings students are expected to attend.

Students will also have opportunities to develop and/or participate in GP projects that support public outreach and recruitment into the GP or may involve assistance with campus student organizations or non-profit/community organizations. These opportunities may occur throughout the year or in tandem with publicly recognized holidays or events, such as nutrition education outreach during March (National Nutrition Month).

Students are encouraged but not required to attend the national food conference FNCE, hosted by the AND, with attendance often exceeding 10,000 Academy members. The city for FNCE changes every year, and the meeting has registration, transportation, food, and lodging costs that students would need to cover. While not required, attendance is highly encouraged, as it provides a signature opportunity to meet and connect with fellow professionals and expand student perspectives on opportunities for good in the field. The Academy of Nutrition and Deietetics also provides for unique opportunities that may either reduce or cover some of the costs associated with attending.