Dietetics and Nutrition

The KU Department of Dietetics and Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition with course work in the biochemical, clinical and behavioral aspects of nutrition – from “bench to bedside to behavior”.

What are the advantages of an MS in Dietetics and Nutrition?

• Advancement: Registered dietitians with a Master's degree are often hired and promoted to management, research and specialized clinical positions. Research experience is more important than ever in today's healthcare fields. Registered dietitians are required to conduct outcomes research and utilize evidence-based practice to translate research findings to clinical practice.

• Satisfaction: Participating in research and applying research findings to dietetics and nutrition practice are useful and valued skills. Advanced knowledge of biochemical, pathological and physiological processes of disease builds a better understanding of disease prevention and treatment.

• Competence: The role of the dietetics professional is continually evolving. Individuals must ethically take responsibility for determining their own competency to provide a specific service. Characteristics of dietetics professionals who seek advanced degrees are those who seek to acquire an expert knowledge base and develop complex decision making skills for expanded practice.

The MS degree program offers flexibility - students may enroll full-time or part-time and a variety of classes are available online. Approximately 12-15 credit hours of the program are elective courses that may be tailored to individual career goals and students may choose a thesis or non-thesis option.To be considered for admission into KU's Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition degree program, all students must meet the following requirements:

1. Undergraduate Degree
   A bachelor’s degree is required for admission. The degree may be in any field but must have included prerequisite courses in biochemistry, physiology and nutrition. Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated for equivalency. 
   
   Please note: students may be accepted on a provisional admission basis if some requirements have not yet been met at the time of application.

2. Graduate Record Examination Score
   An official score on the Graduate Record Examination revised General Test is required and official results must be sent directly to KU by the testing agency. The following minimum scores are recommended: Verbal Reasoning-150, Quantitative Reaoning-150, Analytical Writing-4.0.

3. Grade Point Average
   A cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for college course work is required for admission.

4. Background Check
   The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires all incoming students to pay for a background check. This one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation. You will be asked to provide information and make the payment once you have been officially accepted into the program. For more information, please see the School of Health Professions Background Check Instructions.

Financial aid is available for students who qualify. Students should not wait to be accepted into an academic program to begin the financial aid process. Even if the application deadline for the intended program is later in the year, students are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) by the March 1 priority deadline. Some financial aid grants and low interest loans have limited funding. After the priority deadline, any remaining financial aid will be awarded as available.

Even if financial aid will not be requested, students are encouraged to file the FAFSA annually (same timeline as above). The School of Health Professions has scholarship funds (awarded in the spring for the next academic year starting in fall) for students based on merit, financial need, or both. The FAFSA enables the School to consider all scholarship funds available. The FAFSA must be completed annually.

The total financial aid award package, including scholarships, loans, or need-based aid, cannot be finalized until the student's application materials and fee have been received and acceptance to KU has been completed.