Application Process

Application instructions are available in multiple places for applicant convenience: directly within the application, in the sections below, and as a downloadable PDF linked here.

Early Application Deadline

Dietetics MPS applicants who are also applying for a Dietetic Internship (DI) requiring an admission decision before 1 February should submit applications before 11:59 PM on 1 December. (This is an extension, as the original deadline was listed as November 1st)

Early deadline application review begins as soon as is practical after the deadline passes. Be aware that applications received after the early deadline will not be reviewed until after the standard deadline passes.

There is no admissibility advantage to submitting an early application.

Standard Application Deadline

All Dietetics MPS applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on 1 March.

Standard deadline application review begins as soon as is practical after the deadline passes. Be aware that application submissions are locked after the standard application deadline passes.

Spring Admission

The Dietetics MPS Program does not currently accept applications for spring intake.

Application Prerequisites

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.

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.

In lieu of a DPD Verification Statement, admitted applicants can submit a signed approval form from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Department of Food Science and Nutrition DPD Program Director. More information about the DPD Program Director Approval Form can be found on the application itself or on the document found at z.umn.edu/MPSAppInstructions.

Applications can and should be submitted prior to receipt of all letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendations are collected on an ongoing basis until the application deadline passes. Be advised that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all letters of recommendation are submitted before the application deadline.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

It is generally expected that Dietetics MPS Program applicants will have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will still be considered but are required to submit an extenuating circumstances statement with the rest of their application package. The extenuating circumstances statement should describe the context of the applicant’s cumulative grade point average.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Dietetics MPS Program does not require GRE scores. To ensure all prospective students are evaluated based on the same criteria, applicants should not upload GRE scores to their applications.

Application Materials

Thoroughly follow the instructions found in the application to submit a comprehensive application package. In addition to standard demographic information, all Dietetics MPS applications require the following:

DPD Affidavit

Personal Statement

Diversity Statement

Resume

2 Letters of Recommendation

Application instructions and writing prompts for narrative submissions are provided on the application itself.

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.

Application Fee

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 fee waivers are, unfortunately, not available under any circumstances.

Admissions Process

Applications are reviewed shortly after the application deadline passes. Each application is randomly assigned to two reviewers. 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 will be assigned an intake advisor who will assist them in course selection and other academic matters.

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 approval form from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 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.

View information on tuition and fees for graduate programs in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition

The Dietetics Master of Professional Studies curriculum was designed so it can be completed in two 15-credit semesters. Dietetics MPS students are permitted to take fewer credits per semester and finish their degree over a longer period.

Dietetics MPS students should be mindful of how a 15-credit semester interacts with the University of Minnesota’s banded tuition structure. Cost of attendance information can be found here or by visiting the One Stop Student Services tuition webpage.

The Dietetics MPS requires students to take a minimum of graduate-level 30 coursework credits.

Its purpose is to position students to interpret and communicate evidence-based nutrition concepts to socioeconomically and culturally diverse audiences including content experts, educators, media, patients/clients, and the public and to prepare students for the Entry-level Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Dietetics MPS students will complete a minimum of 30 coursework credits meant to advance their foundational knowledge of the discipline. All Dietetics MPS students are subject to the following coursework credit requirements:

Core Nutrition Requirements (15 credits total)

FSCN 5065: Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 credits | offered fall)

FSCN 5066: Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 credits | offered spring)

NUTR 6014: Advanced Nutrition Education and Counseling (4 credits | offered spring)

NUTR 6064: Current Trends in the Dietetics Profession (2 credits | offered fall)

NUTR 6067: Clinical Decision-Making in Nutrition (3 credits | offered spring)

Core Statistics Selective (3 credits minimum)

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 credits minimum)

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-

Other course(s) as approved by advisor and Director of Graduate Studies

Only courses with grades of A, B, C (including C-), and S can be counted toward the Dietetics MPS program requirements. A minimum of 2/3 of a student’s course credits included on a degree plan must be taken A/F.

Dietetics MPS students are not expected to retake required courses they have previously completed. Previously completed courses will instead be replaced with alternative courses, determined by the advisor and student.

Number of current students: 20

Average student GPA: 3.67

Average time to completion: 1 year

Average applicants: 25

Average admits: 23

Average applicant GPA: Can’t access due to the Nutritional Science/Dietetics changeover

Average admit GPA: Can’t access due to the Nutritional Science/Dietetics changeover

Students identifying as male: 15.4%

Students identifying as female: 76.9%

Students identifying as no particular gender: 7.7%

Average program demographics since Fall 2023

Students identifying as Indigenous, American Indian, or Native American: 0.0%

Students identifying as Asian: 23.0%

Students identifying as Black or African American: 7.7%

Students identifying as Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.0%

Students identifying as Hispanic or Latinx: 0.0%

Students identifying as White: 61.6%

Students not identifying with any particular racial or ethnic group: 7.7%

Average program demographics since Fall 2023

Domestic students, Minnesota residents: 76.9%

Domestic students, Out-of-State residents: 15.4%

International students: 7.7%

Average program demographics since Fall 2024