Accelerated Dietetics Degree Requirements

Dietetics Early Assurance Admission Requirements

Early assurance is an admission program for incoming freshmen based on exemplary high school academic performance.

• Limited to the top 12 most qualified candidates.
• High school GPA of 3.5 or higher (based on A=4.0)
• The early assurance application is available to high school seniors when UND opens applications for the following fall
• Priority will be given to early applications.

Steps to Apply for Dietetics Early Assurance

• High school seniors apply for admission to UND
• Declare Dietetics on the UND admission application
• Complete the Dietetics early assurance application (an invitation with a link to the application will be sent to qualified candidates via email)
• Students not selected for the Dietetics Early Assurance program are encouraged to apply for the standard Coordinated Program in Dietetics application process.

Progression Criteria

• One meeting per semester with your N&D faculty advisor
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or high in all undergraduate coursework (based on A=4.0)
• Achieve a “C” or better in all undergraduate nutrition courses and science courses
• Progress through prerequisite courses as determined as scheduled your N&D advisor
• Fulfillment of Essential Studies requirements in Fine Arts and Humanities
• Students may only retake 3 Dietetics prerequisite courses
• Students must pass a criminal background check prior to matriculation into the professional program
• Service Learning while enrolled in the Dietetics program
• Students must comply with UND Code of Student Life and interact with peers, faculty, and community members in a thoughtful, respectful manner
• Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (BSD) degree

Standard Program Admission Requirements

1. Completion of prerequisite courses and currently enrolled or eligible for enrollment at UND. All applicants must complete the UND Graduate School application.
2. Students must have a grade of "C" or better in all undergraduate nutrition courses and science courses. Recency of courses will be evaluated.
3. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for all undergraduate work (based on A=4.0).
4. Minimum requirements for admission set by the School of Graduate Studies.
5. Submission of the online application to the School of Graduate Studies including three recommendations, a Statement of Goals, Program of Study, and résumé. Address the following elements in your Statement of Goals: describe educational goals and interest in becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, include characteristics, skills, and experiences that uniquely qualify you to be successful as a student dietitian. The résumé can be uploaded as one document under the "Optional Document Upload" section of the application.
6. Professional interview.

Degree Requirements

Required 120 credits (36 of which must be numbered 300 or above, and 30 of which must be UND institutional credit) including:

I. Essential Studies Requirements (see University ES listing).

II. The following curriculum:

Pre-professional requirements:

Dietetics students complete required prerequisite courses during their first two years of enrollment at the University of North Dakota. Applications to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics are accepted annually with a due date of February 1.  Students typically apply during the spring semester of their sophomore year.   

Footnotes *CHEM 121 General Chemistry I, CHEM 121L General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHEM 122 General Chemistry II, CHEM 122L General Chemistry II Laboratory, CHEM 340 Survey of Organic Chemistry, and CHEM 340L Survey of Organic Chemistry Laboratory may be substituted for CHEM 115 Introductory Chemistry, CHEM 115L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory, and CHEM 116 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry, CHEM 116L Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Laboratory.

Professional Dietetics Requirements:

Students must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a "C" grade or higher in all nutrition, science, and statistics courses.  Students enrolled in the accelerated BS/MS program are required to take 20 credit hours of N&D 498.

Online M.S. in Nutrition - Nutrition Education & Counseling Specialization or Nutrition Science Specialization

Online M.S. Admission Requirements

1. Completion of a bachelor's or higher degree in nutrition, dietetics or closely related field from a regionally accredited college/university.
2. Students must have a grade of "C" or better in undergraduate courses in advanced nutrition or biochemistry and human physiology. Recency of courses will be evaluated.
3. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for all undergraduate work and a GPA of at least 3.0 for the junior and senior years of undergraduate work (based on A=4.0).
4. Meet minimum requirements for admission set by the School of Graduate Studies, including English proficiency requirements.

Online M.S. Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science in Nutrition degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics:

1. A minimum of 30 credits, including 9 credits of core requirements, 15-17 credits to complete one of the specializations, and 2-6 credits of electives.
2. A maximum of 9 credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution and must the meet the School of Graduate Studies transfer credit requirements.
3. Completion of a week-long, campus-based training in nutrition practice and research skills for students completing the Nutrition Education and Counseling specialization.
4. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

Curriculum

Core course requirements:

Nutrition Education and Counseling Specialization course requirements:

Nutrition Science Specialization course requirements:

N&D Electives (availability based on instructional resources, student interest, and minimum enrollment)

Electives can come from any department that has relevant coursework. Courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor and be included on the student's Program of Study before the course is taken. Graduate level courses taken prior to acceptance as a graduate student at UND may be included in the student's Program of Study with approval.

On-Campus M.S. in Nutrition - Dietetics Specialization

On-Campus M.S. Accelerated Admission

The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) 5 year program is available for students completing the Coordinated Program in Dietetics, an accredited professional program.  All requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (BSD) and the Master of Science in Nutrition (MS) can be met with up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework that may count toward requirements for each degree.

Students who have completed at least 60 undergraduate credit hours and all required, pre-requisite coursework for dietetics apply to the ABM program through an online School of Graduate Studies (SGS). Pre-requisite coursework may be in-progress at the time of application but must be completed before beginning the ABM program. 

On-Campus M.S. Admission Requirements

The ABM program allows UND dietetics students the opportunity to complete degree requirements for a BSD and MS at an accelerated pace.  Students are expected to graduate with the MS within 12 months of completing their BSD.  Admission is competitive, and students must meet minimum admission requirements:

1. Completion of pre-requisite courses and currently enrolled or eligible for enrollment at UND.
2. Have a grade of "C" or higher in undergraduate courses in nutrition and science. Recency of courses will be evaluated.
3. Have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for all undergraduate work (based on A=4.0).
4. Résumé.
5. Completion of 50 hours of service learning.
6. Minimum requirements for admission set by the School of Graduate Studies.
7. Submission of the online application to the School of Graduate Studies including three recommendations, a Statement of Goals, résumé, and service learning hours form. Address the following elements in your Statement of Goals: describe educational goals and interest in becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, include characteristics, skills, and experiences that uniquely qualify you to be successful as a student dietitian. The résumé and service learning hours form are uploaded as one document under the "Optional Document Upload" section of the application.
8. Professional interview.

On-Campus M.S. Degree Requirements

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher and “B” or higher in courses listed in the Program of Study.  Program requirements are:

1. A minimum of 31 credits hours from core courses.
2. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

Curriculum

Core requirements: