Leah Smock
Associate Director of Enrollment for Graduate and Professional Studies
Advance your career goals with Messiah University's graduate program in nutrition and dietetics/dietetics internship.
We are committed to guiding you through the admissions process every step of the way.
Messiah University offers a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetics Internship. This degree is designed to successfully prepare you to take the national registered dietitian exam.
MS/DI 5-year program: applicants who pursue this program earn a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics and the MS/DI in five years.
MS/DI post-baccalaureate program: applicants with a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics from an ACEND accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD) may pursue the MS/DI.
Before completing an application for any of Messiah University’s graduate and certificate programs, please read our admissions requirements to ensure that you are eligible for enrollment and to receive a helpful checklist of the supporting documentation that you will need to provide to complete your application.
There are prerequisite requirements for the MS/DI.
MS/DI 5-year program: all applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from Messiah University
MS/DI post-baccalaureate program: applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from an accredited institution. In addition:
- applicants in process of finishing a bachelor's degree: submit a Declaration of Intent to Complete form from your DPD director verifying the anticipated completion of the ACEND- accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD)
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applicants who have already graduated: submit an original and official ACEND didactic program in dietetics (DPD) verification statement indicating the successful completion of DPD courses.
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Submitted Messiah University application (by October 15 of Messiah senior year)
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Official transcript(s) from Messiah University indicating anticipated completion of a bachelor’s degree. Graduate admissions will request your transcripts from the registrar.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
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Submit a Declaration of Intent to Complete form from your DPD director verifying the anticipated completion of the ACEND accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD).
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Work or volunteer experience: completion of 150 hours of nutrition and dietetics work or volunteer experience in the past two years, such as nutrition education, food production, or as a dietary aid (at least 100 of the hours must be paid employment).
- Submitted DICAS application
- early admission: application due October 15; admission decision by December 1
- regular admission: application due January 15; admission decision by March 1
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Official transcript(s) indicating completion (or anticipated completion) of a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND-accredited institution with completed DPD curriculum. To be considered "official", transcript(s) must be requested and sent directly from institution(s) attended to DICAS.
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Declaration of Intent to Complete (or a Completed DPD) form from your DPD director verifying the anticipated completion (or completion) of the ACEND- accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD)
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Contact information for three references: one volunteer or work supervisor and at least one faculty member who can address your professional experience and/or academic performance (excluding relatives)
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Statement of purpose: a 1000 word statement describing why you want to enter the dietetics profession, experiences that helped prepare you for your career, why are you interested in completing the MS/DI at Messiah University, short- and long-term goals, as well as strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement. Please include any other information you consider important.
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Completion of 150 hours of work or volunteer experience related to nutrition and dietetics in the past two years, such as nutrition education, food production, or as a dietary aid. At least 100 of the hours must be paid employment.
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Completion of an interview: qualified applicants will be invited to interview with faculty and preceptors
The MS/DI is a full-time, residential program. Students applying for the MS/DI may be eligible to obtain an F-1 student visa from Messiah University.
In addition to the admissions requirements above, international students interested in the MS/DI must submit:
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a course-by-course evaluation of all international transcripts
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English proficiency exam: only TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo are accepted
Further information about these requirements is available on the graduate international student page. Please contact the enrollment counselor for nutrition and dietetics to determine eligibility.*
*If admitted to Messiah University, information on how to apply for the F-1 visa may be found on the graduate international student page.