There are three ways to enter the Dietitian Nutritionist Program.
Please see the options below for details:
Entry Point for Undergraduate Students to the Accelerated MS Program
Admission Requirements
- Minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0)
- 61-63 credits are required to begin the program
- Prerequisites
- Introduction to Nutrition, HRS 1006 or NUTR 1006**
- Introduction to Dietetics, NUTR 1600+
- Food and Culture, NUTR 1612+
- General Chemistry 1 with lab, CHEM 0110
- General Chemistry 2 with lab, CHEM 0120
- Foundations of Biology 1, BIOSC 0150
- Foundations of Biology 2, BIOSC 0160
- Biology Lab, BIOSC 0057 or BIOSC 0058
- Organic Chemistry, CHEM 0350, or CHEM 0310 and CHEM 0320
- Biochemistry, BIOSC 1000**
- Introduction to Microbiology, BIOSC 1850 or HRS 1025
- Seminar in Composition*, 1 course
- Writing Intensive, 1 course. Any "W" course.
- Communications, 1 course. Oral communication preferred; other courses accepted.
- College Algebra, MATH 0031 or higher math required. Exemption accepted.
- Statistics, 1 course. STAT 0200 or STAT 1000 required.
- Social Sciences*, 1 course
- Psychology, 1 course.
- Business, 1 course. Any Business or Economics course.
*See the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences General Education Course Catalog.
**These courses need to have been completed within the past five years.
+These courses can be taken in the first year of the Dietitian Nutritionist Program.
Suggested Prerequisite Schedule for Pitt Students
Application Requirements
- Complete the application for admission.
- Self-evaluation essay, discussing strengths, skills, and experiences that will contribute to success in the program and your professional goals as a registered dietitian.
- Resume demonstrating evidence of adequate exposure to the field of dietetics and an appreciation of the breadth, depth, and scope of practice. This can be accomplished through either volunteer or paid work experience in a nutrition and dietetics related settings; there is no minimum number of hours required.
- Three recommendations: one from a registered dietitian, one from a supervisor in volunteer or work experience and one form a college professor. These recommendations should address the applicant's academic, professional and personal attributes and potential for meaningful graduate study. At least one recommendation should speak to your leadership experience and commitment to service.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Personal interview with nutrition faculty.
Please note that admission to the program is competitive and meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission.
Entry Point for Post Baccalaureate Students to the MS Program
Admission Requirements
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
Minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0)
Personal interview with nutrition faculty
Prerequisites must be completed for a letter grade, minimum grade of C. Coursework will be evaluated at time of application for equivalency to Pitt courses. Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress.
- General Chemistry 1 with lab
- General Chemistry 2 with lab
- Foundations of Biology 1
- Genetics or Foundations of Biology 2
- Biology Lab
- Organic Chemistry 1
- Organic Chemistry 2
- Biochemistry*
- Introduction to Microbiology
- College Algebra or higher math
- Statistics
- English Composition
- English Writing
- Communications
- Business
- Sociology/ Social Science/ Humanities
- Psychology
- Introduction to Nutrition*
- Introduction to Dietetics+
- Food and Culture+
*These courses need to have been completed within the past five years.
+These courses can be taken in the first year of the Dietitian Nutritionist Program.
Application Requirements
The application for Fall 2023 admission will open in September 2022.
Complete the GradCAS application which includes:
- Application fee of $50 (U.S.)
- A self-evaluation essay, discussing strengths, skills and experiences that will contribute to success in the program and your professional goals as a registered dietitian
- A resume demonstrating evidence of adequate exposure to the field of dietetics and an appreciation of the breadth, depth and scope of practice. This can be accomplished through either volunteer or paid work experience in a nutrition and dietetics related settings; there is no minimum number of hours required;
- Three letters of recommendation: one from a registered dietitian, one from a supervisor in volunteer or work experience and one form a college professor. These letters should address the applicant's academic, professional and personal attributes and potential for meaningful graduate study. At least one letter should speak to your leadership experience and commitment to service;
- Self-evaluation prerequisite worksheet
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Additional requirements for international applicants:
- Academic Credential Evaluation from World Education Services (WES), Inc. or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. A course by course evaluation with GPA conversion is required for baccalaureate degree or higher completed at an institution outside of the United States.
- English Language Proficiency scores. Minimum scores accepted:
Application Deadline
March 1.
Entry Point for DPD Graduates to the MS Program
Admission Requirements
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics from an accredited institution
Minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0)
Personal interview with nutrition faculty
Prerequisites must be completed for a letter grade, minimum grade of C. Coursework will be evaluated at time of application for equivalency to Pitt courses. Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress.
- Foundations of Biology 1 with Lab, 4 credits
- Genetics or Foundations of Biology 2, 3 credits
- Human Physiology, 4 credits
- Introduction to Microbiology, 3 credits
- General Chemistry 1 with Lab, 4 credits
- General Chemistry 2 with Lab, 4 credits
- †Organic Chemistry 1, 3 credits
- †Organic Chemistry 2, 3 credits
- *Biochemistry, 3 credits
- Communications, 3 credits
- Business or Economics, 3 credits
- Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
- Introduction to Psychology, 3 credits
- English Composition/Writing, 6 credits
- Algebra, 2–4 credits
- *Introduction to Nutrition, 3 credits
- Introduction to the Profession of Dietetics, 1 credit
- Food and Culture, 3 credits
- Nutrition Assessment, 3 credits
- Nutrition Education, 3 credits
- Nutrient Metabolism, 3-6 credits
- Food Applications with Lab, 4 credits
- Food Service Management, 3 credits
- Life Cycle Nutrition, 3 credits
- Nutrition Therapy, 3 credits
*These courses need to have been completed within the past five years.
†CHEM 0350 (3 cr.) offered each Spring Term will satisfy the Organic Chemistry requirement. Students who do not take CHEM 0350 must take OCHEM 1 & 2 (6 cr.).
+Genetics is preferred; however, a Biology 2 course with a strong genetics component will fulfill the requirements.
Application Requirements
The application for Fall 2023 admission will open in September 2022.
Complete the GradCAS application which includes:
- Application fee of $50 (U.S.)
- A self-evaluation essay, discussing strengths, skills and experiences that will contribute to success in the program and your professional goals as a registered dietitian
- A resume demonstrating evidence of adequate exposure to the field of dietetics and an appreciation of the breadth, depth and scope of practice. This can be accomplished through either volunteer or paid work experience in a nutrition and dietetics related settings; there is no minimum number of hours required;
- Three letters of recommendation: one from a registered dietitian, one from a supervisor in volunteer or work experience and one form a college professor. These letters should address the applicant's academic, professional and personal attributes and potential for meaningful graduate study. At least one letter should speak to your leadership experience and commitment to service;
- Self-evaluation prerequisite worksheet
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Additional requirements for international applicants:
- Academic Credential Evaluation from World Education Services (WES), Inc. or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. A course by course evaluation with GPA conversion is required for baccalaureate degree or higher completed at an institution outside of the United States.
- English Language Proficiency scores. Minimum scores accepted:
- Duolingo: 120. Scores should be made available electronically to "University of Pittsburgh - Health and Rehabilitation Sciences".
- IELTS: 7.0. Scores should be made available electronically to "University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences".
- TOEFL: 100. Submit electronically to institution code 2927.
Application Deadline
March 1. Application review beings in January.
Prerequisite Self-evaluation Worksheets
- Undergraduate Students (link coming soon)
- Post Baccalaureate Students
- DPD Graduates
Essential Program Standards
All candidates and graduates must possess the essential physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of an entry-level dietitian. Candidates with disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The following link provides detailed information on essential program standards.
Clinical Clearances
Please note that this program requires students to complete portions of their education (e.g., supervised practice experiences) at facilities external to the University to meet requirements for graduation. Many of these external facilities require screening measures such as, but not limited to, criminal background check, child abuse clearance, health appraisal, fingerprint-based background check and/or drug test prior to placement at the facility. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student which can, in turn, result in an inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act abuse may prevent the student from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice in the field.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Supervised Practice/Experiential Learning
The University of Pittsburgh requires that all affiliates on all campuses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and postdocs. This program also requires students to complete clinical education at facilities external to the university. Many SHRS clinical partners require employees, trainees and students to be compliant with the federal vaccination requirement. This includes providing proof of vaccination or exemption to the clinical site. Failure to comply with this requirement for clinical partners may preclude the student from completing the clinical requirements of this program. Some of our clinical partners will not permit students to complete clinical rotations without proof of vaccination and will not accept exemptions.
The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with the University's mission. For information on University equal opportunity and affirmative action programs and complaint/grievance procedures, contact the Office of Affirmative Action, 901 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, 412-648-7860412-648-7860.
The Dietitian Nutritionist Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.), (ACEND@eatright.org), phone (1-800-877-1600 or 1-800-877-1600 x5400), or mail (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995).