Admissions Requirements

Next Application Cycle: September 1- July 1

The UTMB MS/DI combined program is specifically for those seeking eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians and become credentialed as a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN).

For more information about our program, view our pre-recorded Virtual Open House.

Application Process

1. UTMB MS/DI applicants must successfully complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) leading to a bachelor's degree at an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited program. Alternatively, applicants may have earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in an unrelated field and completed post-baccalaureate didactic coursework in dietetics from an accredited college or university. Applicants who successfully match to our program are required to provide official transcripts as proof of graduation and an original official DPD verification statement signed by their DPD program director at orientation
2. Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to be considered.
3. The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is not required for application or admission to the program. Applicants with an overall GPA between 3.0 and 3.3 may provide GRE scores to make their applications similarly competitive with those with a higher GPA. The code to send GRE scores to UTMB is 6887.
   • Note: If your overall GPA is over 3.3, please do not submit your GRE scores as they will not be considered in our deliberations.
4. The UTMB MS/DI combined program participates in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) computer-based application system. Applicants must submit a completed DICAS by July 1.
5. Applicants must also complete Applicants must also complete a UTMB School of Health Professions Supplemental Application UTMB School of Health Professions application by July 1. 
6. The admissions committee reviews all of the applications and determines if the applicant should move to the next stage of the process, which is a live video interview.
7. The video interview with our admissions committee, typically using Zoom, is a requirement for consideration. Interviews last approximately 10 - 15 minutes and all applicants are asked the same questions. The committee will contact you via email from the MS/DI program director and/or program administrator and applicants should regularly check their email junk/spam folders. Once the virtual interview is concluded, the applicant's contribution to the selection process is complete and no further communications from the admissions committee will occur. The MS/DI program director may contact the applicant if necessary.
8. Applicants who apply prior to March 1, will be notified of an admission decision by this date. Applicants must notify the Program Director of their admission decision by March 1.
9. Applicants who apply after March 1 will be reviewed and admitted on a rolling admission basis until all spots for the program are filled.

After Being Accepted into Our Program

1. Contact the Program Director to officially accept your position in the program.
2. At the MS/DI program New Student Orientation, students will be required to submit the following:
   1. Verification statement from an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). *
   2. Proof of current health insurance
   3. Evidence of immunizations required by UTMB Student Health.
   4. Successful completion of the UTMB-required drug screening and background check through CastleBranch.
3. Review and complete items included in the SHP newly admitted student checklist and the UTMB general new student checklist.

* Note: Students must provide proof of a Bachelor's degree from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited program. Prospective students may have earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in an unrelated field but completed post-baccalaureate didactic coursework in dietetics from an accredited college or university.