MSND Admission Requirements
Recommended application deadlines
| Semester Start | Application Deadline* |
|---|---|
| Spring semester start | August 15 |
| Summer semester start | January 15 |
| Fall semester start | February 15 |
*Applications will be accepted beyond the above dates but applying by the recommended deadline increases the likelihood that your application will be processed in advance of the opening of course registration.
Graduate admission application
For the graduate admissions application, the following conditions must be met. Additionally, the supplemental materials indicated below must also be submitted. For additional questions, please review the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) handbook.
- An undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) in the last 60 semester hours of coursework.
- Successful completion of one of the following:
- The requirements for dietetic registration by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics or fulfillment of the minimum academic requirements of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) approved by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics' Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education
- Completion of at least two courses in nutrition, one being at the advanced level; and one course in each of the following: biochemistry, anatomy/physiology, microbiology, and organic chemistry. These courses must be completed in advance of submitting an application to this program.
- An essay (two to three pages, double-spaced) discussing your goals and how completion of the program will facilitate your achievement of those goals. A portion of this essay should focus on the unique qualifications you will bring to the degree program.
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professionals in the field of nutrition and dietetics or other health-related professions (standardized recommendation forms are NOT required).
- Evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course is strongly recommended.
- The GRE is not required.
- Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours (from coursework/internship completed prior to admission to the MSND program) may be applied to the MSND program through Credit by Examination or transfer of course credits from another accredited institution pending approval of coursework.
Additional information on the pathway to becoming a registered dietitian may be obtained at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
Supervised experiential learning admissions
Our MSND Plan B: Experiential Track – A Pathway to RDN program admits a total of 10 students to the program per semester. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, or marital status.
Following an initial evaluation of the students application, the selection committee will invite students who meet the criteria and promise to succeed in the program to a virtual interview with the program advisory committee. It is after completion of the interview that the advisory committee will accept students into the MSND Plan B: Experiential Track – A Pathway to RDN program.
Admission requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate didactic program in dietetics (DPD) program.
- A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement.
- An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) in the last 60 semester hours of course work. Applicants who do not meet this criteria will not be considered for a position within our program. No exceptions will be made.
- Completion of the following prerequisites* with a minimum grade of "B-"or better in nutrition courses and a minimum grade of "C" or better in science courses:
- Anatomy/physiology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Organic chemistry
- Food science
- Foodservice systems administration
- Medical nutrition therapy at the advanced level
- Nutrition in the life cycle at the advanced level
- Nutrition education/counseling at the advanced level
- ServSafe food manager certification
*These courses must be completed in advance of submitting an application to our program. Science prerequisite courses must have been taken within the past ten years, and nutrition prerequisite courses must have been taken within the past five years. Students completing their science prerequisite courses more than ten years or nutrition prerequisite courses more than five years before the application may require additional coursework at the MSND program director’s discretion.
- An essay/personal statement (two-three pages, double-spaced) detailing the following:
- Your motivation to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and your short-term and long-term goals.
- Your experience/exposure to and goals for the professional field of dietetics (ex. shadowing, professional conferences, volunteer and/or paid work) and experiences that have provided leadership management.
- Your unique qualifications that you will bring to the degree program.
- Why you are a good candidate to our MSND Plan B: Experiential Track - A Pathway to RDN program.
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professionals in the field of nutrition and dietetics or other health-related professional.
- Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, including the following: Paid work experience in the health-related professions, including duration in position and hours worked per week; Volunteer or community service experience in the health-related professions, including duration in position and hours worked per week; and honors and awards.
- Preceptor/supervised experiential learning site identification form.
- Preceptor information and commitment form.