The Dietetics MPS is a coursework-based master’s program. Dietetics MPS students are required to take a minimum of 30 graduate-level coursework credits covering a range of dietetics and nutritional science topics. Its full curriculum can be found below:

Core Nutrition Requirements (15 credits)

NUTR 5065: Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 credits | offered fall)†
-and-
NUTR 5066: Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 credits | offered spring)†
-and-
NUTR 6014: Advanced Nutrition Education and Counseling (4 credits | offered spring)
-and-
NUTR 6064: Current Trends in the Dietetics Profession (2 credits | offered fall)
-and-
NUTR 6067: Clinical Decision-Making in Nutrition (3 credits | offered spring) 

Core Statistics Selective (3-4 credits)

PUBH 6414: Biostatistical Literacy (3 credits | offered fall and spring)
-or-
PUBH 6450: Biostatistics (4 credits | offered fall and spring)
-or-
STAT 5021: Statistical Analysis (4 credits | offered fall and spring)
-or-
Other statistics course as approved by advisor and Director of Graduate Studies

Nutrition Selectives (11-12 credits)

FSCN 4622: Nutritional Toxicology (3 credits | offered spring)
-and/or-
FSCN 5601: Management of Eating Disorders (3 credits | offered fall and spring)
-and/or-
NUTR 5622: Vitamin and Mineral Biochemistry (3 credits | offered spring)
-and/or-
NUTR 5624: Nutrition and Genetics (2 credits | SEE APPENDIX B)
-and/or-
NUTR 5625: Nutritional Biochemistry (3 credits | offered fall)
-and/or-
NUTR 5626: Nutritional Physiology (3 credits | offered spring)
-and/or-
FSCN 5012: Cross-Cultural Engagement in Food Science and Nutrition (3 credits | offered spring)†
-and/or-
Other course(s) as approved by advisor and Director of Graduate Studies 

†Courses denoted with this symbol are currently proposed and under review. Proposed courses are planned for Fall 2024. For 2023-2024, FSCN 4665 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 cr., Fall) and FSCN 4666 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 cr, Spring) are degree requirements in place of the proposed NUTR 5065 and NUTR 5066

The following are Dietetics MPS program requirements that must be satisfied by all applicants:

DPD Verification Statement

Dietetics MPS applicants are required to have successfully
completed an ACEND-accredited undergraduate Didactic
Program in Dietetics (DPD) before the first day of MPS
instruction. Dietetics MPS applicants must sign a digital affidavit affirming that they have completed or will complete a DPD prior to the first day of classes of the term for which they are applying. The affidavit is found on the application itself at choose.umn.edu/apply.

Admitted MPS applicants will be required to submit their DPD Verification Statement to the MPS Graduate Program Coordinator prior to the first day of classes of the term for which they are admitted.

Applicants applying without a DPD Verification Statement must declare so on the MPS application DPD Verification Statement affidafit. These applicants must work with the Department of Food Science and Nutrition DPD Program Director (hyperlink) to determine a DPD Coursework Plan which may include taking additional undergraduate prerequisite courses prior to starting MPS courses and/or additional undergraduate courses concurrently with their MPS courses. Successful completion of the DPD Coursework Plan will result in receiving a DPD Verification Statement at the completion of the MPS. 

In lieu of a DPD Verification Statement, admitted applicants must submit a DPD Coursework Plan form signed by the Department of Food Science and Nutrition DPD Director to the MPS Graduate Program Coordinator prior to the first day of the classes of the term for which they were admitted. More information about the DPD Program Director DPD Coursework Plan form can be found on the application itself or on the document found at z.umn.edu/MPSAppInstructions.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 is typically expected of Dietetics MPS Program applicants. However, there is no minimum GPA to apply, and ALL applicants regardless of GPA will be evaluated holistically for acceptance to the program.

Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may submit an "Extenuating Circumstances" statement with their application describing any context they would like to be considered in evaluating their GPA and/or transcripts.

English Language Proficiency

International applicants and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency at the time of program application. This is a University of Minnesota requirement that the Department of Food Science and Nutrition is not permitted to adjust or waive.

Thorough information about the English language proficiency requirement can be found at z.umn.edu/ELPRequirement

Applications must be submitted through the University of Minnesota Graduate School’s General Application System. The Graduate School application can be found at choose.umn.edu/apply. Thorough application instructions can be found on the application itself or on the document found at https://z.umn.edu/MPSAppInstructions.

Dietetics MPS applicants must submit the following with their application package:

• DPD Affidavit
  • Verification Statement or
  • DPD Coursework Plan document
• Personal Statement
• Diversity Statement
• Resume
• 2 Letters of Recommendation

Applications can be submitted prior to receipt of letters of recommendation. However, it is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure that letters of recommendation are received by the application deadline. Additional letters of recommendation are not requested and do not increase one’s chance of admission.

The Dietetics MPS Program does not require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. To ensure all applications are evaluated based on the same criteria, applicants should not upload GRE scores to their applications.

A nonrefundable $75 application fee will apply for each domestic application submission. A nonrefundable $95 application fee will apply for each international application submission. Application fees are charged by the University of Minnesota Graduate School. Fee waivers are, unfortunately, not available under any circumstances.

Preselect MPS/DI Options

Partnerships between the MPS and Dietetic Internships are available for preselect applications.  First, applicants should submit and MPS application by the early deadline of December 1.  After receiving acceptance to the MPS, then applicants can proceed with the DI preselect application process.  Approved partnerships include:

University of Minnesota Dietetic Internship

Minneapolis VA Healthcare System Dietetic Internship

St. Cloud Hospital Dietetic Internship

The Dietetics MPS offers annual fall intake only. Spring and summer intake are unavailable at this time.

The early deadline for Fall 2024 intake is 1 December 2023 by 11:59 CST.

Applications submitted after 1 December will not be reviewed until the standard deadline passes. Admission decisions for early deadline applicants will be released on or before 5 January 2024.

The standard deadline for Fall 2024 intake is 1 March 2024 by 11:59 CDT.

Applications submitted after 1 March will not be reviewed. Admission decisions for standard deadline applicants.

An applicant’s likelihood of admission is not affected by their time of application submission, provided they submit all application materials on time.

Applications must be submitted through the University of Minnesota Graduate School’s General Application System. The Graduate School application can be found at choose.umn.edu/apply. Thorough application instructions can be found on the application itself or on the document found at https://z.umn.edu/MPSAppInstructions.

Applications are reviewed shortly after the application deadline passes. Applicants are assessed based on both scholastic and non-scholastic indicators of academic success. Applicants will be informed of their admission decision at the earliest opportunity.

Admitted Applicants

Admitted applicants must submit their DPD Verification Statement to the MPS Graduate Program Coordinator prior to the first day of classes of the term for which they are admitted. In lieu of a DPD Verification Statement, admitted applicants may submit a signed DPD Coursework Plan from Department of Food Science and Nutrition DPD Program Director.

Failure to submit a DPD Verification Statement or a signed DPD Program Director Approval Form will result in the applicant’s offer of admission being fully rescinded on the first day of classes. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Admitted applicants are permitted to defer their enrollment once. A deferred admitted applicant will have their term of entry changed to the intake term following the term they applied for. For example, an applicant admitted for Fall 2024 may defer their enrollment to Fall 2025. Subsequent deferrals are not permitted.

Non-Admitted Applicants

Applicants who have been denied admission may appeal their admission decision one time, provided the appeal is submitted within two weeks of release of the initial non-admission decision.

Appealed applications will be randomly assigned two new reviewers and a new admission decision will be communicated to the appellate at the earliest opportunity. The appealed decision cannot be appealed a second time.

Applicants who have been denied admission may schedule an appointment for one-on-one application feedback with the MPS Graduate Program Coordinator. The Graduate Program Coordinator is an impartial actor who does not participate in admissions decision-making and will relay information provided to them by application reviewers.

Be advised that application feedback received does not constitute official advice on how to proceed with subsequent applications. No guarantees can be made related to future admission.