When discussing her graduate work, it is only fitting that Jenny Anttonen would use the term “digestible.”

A registered dietitian nutritionist, Jenny says that the Ball State master’s in nutrition and dietetics is digestible because it has allowed her to take one course—occasionally two—at a time.

Jenny, who earned the RDN credential in 2016, works as both an RD for Renovate Your Plate, an outpatient counseling center, and a nutrition care manager for Morrison Community Living, while pursuing her degree.

How Does She Keep Up?

“I can keep up with a full-time job, my friends and take classes, all because the degree is fully online,” says Jenny. “I can do my course work in the evenings and on weekends and am not held to a specific time that I have to drive to campus.”

She says another advantage is that “the online classroom allows me to learn at my own pace. I can pause lectures to take notes.” Online students of Ball State can access course content at any time and don’t have to log-in at specific times of the week.

But doing it all from home isn’t the only reason she likes the program.

“I chose Ball State,” she says, “because they were willing to accept nine of my 13 graduate credits I earned at another university for my dietetic internship.”

She Started with Smooth Admissions Process

Like other busy adult students who have careers and professional development obligations, Jenny was determined to find a program with minimal application steps. “Ball State made it a smooth and simple process,” she says.

She also likes the fact that grad school, in general, and the master’s in nutrition and dietetics, in particular, provide the opportunity to concentrate on subjects that deserve focused attention.

She points out semester-long courses in renal nutrition and exercise and sport nutrition.

“These topics would have been one quick chapter in one class at the undergraduate level,” she says.

Jenny Says Master’s is “Digestible”

She remembers her bachelor’s program as a whirlwind of information. “With my master’s, it’s my choice. I take one class at a time,” she says. “I feel like I am learning and taking in information in digestible amounts.”

Jenny feels the course work has given her confidence in her practice as an RDN.

“My goal is to help you learn to respect and trust your body by developing a healthy relationship to food,” she says. “I want to help you feel empowered to care for yourself in a more positive and compassionate way.”

Gives Faculty and Staff Credit

Jenny gives much credit to the program’s faculty and staff. “Our director [Carol Friesen] is absolutely amazing and even schedules phone calls outside of conventional working hours,” says Jenny, who graduates in 2020.

“I just can’t say enough great things about Ball State’s online master’s in nutrition and dietetics.”