Application and Admission Requirements

Internal Applicants:

Current undergraduate students intending to enter the Master of Science program in Nutrition with a concentration in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics must be enrolled in the undergraduate program, Nutrition-Dietetics concentration, or be in the process of completing prerequisite coursework. Students must apply for the Master of Science program and be accepted into the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics concentration in order to complete master’s-specific coursework concurrent with completion of undergraduate studies. Undergraduate Nutrition-Dietetics students who do not enroll in the Master of Science program are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition-Dietetics and the Didactic Program in Dietetics and apply for dietetic internships or other nationally-accredited supervised practice programs to become RDNs.

Admission requirements for current students applying for the Master of Science program with a concentration in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics vary based upon eligibility for accelerated study based on university policy:

1. Academic achievement
   1. For acceptance to the accelerated combined bachelor’s/master’s option – up to 9 graduate credits can count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees:
      1. Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.3
   1. For eligibility to take graduate coursework, noting credits will not count toward the bachelor’s degree:
      1. Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0
   1. Nutrition coursework: completion of NUTR 100, NUTR 302, NUTR 311, NUTR 314, NUTR 315, NUTR 316, NUTR 321/322, or equivalent.
   1. Science coursework: completion of CHEM 121/122, CHEM 131/132, CHEM 260, BCMB 230, MICRO 210 or equivalent.
   1. Other non-departmental coursework in medical terminology, communications, psychology, public health, statistics, kinesiology/physical activity, culinary/food science, and university general education requirements

2. Submission of an online application for admission to the Graduate School on May 1 prior to the senior year of undergraduate study in the B.S. Nutrition-Dietetics Concentration. The entry term must be summer of the year following the application. The completed application must include current transcripts, a personal statement detailing experience as well as long- and short-term goals, and a resume. Professional recommendations should be submitted by June 15.
3. In-person interview with the program director and representatives of the program faculty following the application deadline.

External applicants:

Admission requirements for applicants from outside the University of Tennessee:

1. Academic achievement
   1. Meet GPA requirements of the Graduate School
   1. Complete program prerequisites: Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or the following courses – Introductory nutrition, general chemistry I and II, organic chemistry, human physiology, biochemistry, micronutrient and macronutrient metabolism, life span nutrition, psychology, course content in kinesiology/physical activity, statistics, medical terminology, public health.
2. Submission of an online application for admission to the Graduate School by the departmental January 15 deadline. The completed application must include current transcripts, a personal statement detailing experience as well as long- and short-term goals, a resume, and professional recommendations. External applicants must concurrently apply for a dual master’s concentration in Biomedical Nutrition Science or Community Nutrition. Admission is for fall entry.
3. Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application System (DICAS): This additional application must be completed by February 1 for external applicants to the M.S. in Nutrition with a concentration in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. Note that students must also be admitted to the M.S. in Nutrition with a concentration in Biomedical Nutrition Science or Community Nutrition to be considered.
4. Applicants selected for an interview will participate in a in-person interview (virtual interviews may be considered) in February with the program director and representatives of the program faculty.

Admission Decision

Admission decisions will be based upon meeting of listed admission criteria as well as completeness of application, clarity of written and oral expression, expressed interest in pursuing a career as a RDN, alignment with program offerings, and professional references. Admission is competitive. External applicants will be notified by March 1. External applicants who are offered admission have until March 15 to notify the program of their intention to accept. Internal applicants accepted to the Master of Science program in Nutrition with a concentration in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics are required to follow the Nutrition-Dietetics concentration curriculum during the fourth year of the undergraduate program with the addition of HTM 445 and NUTR 506 Clinical Nutrition II Practicum and complete the Bachelor of Science degree. To maintain good academic standing for entry into the Master of Science program, students must complete all required coursework and maintain GPA and grade minimums specified in the admission criteria. Admission decisions for internal applicants are expected on or near August 1. The number of students admitted depends upon the number of qualified applicants as well as availability of placements in clinical, community, and foodservice sites in the greater Knoxville area.