We welcome applicants of all abilities/disabilities, religions, marital statuses, familial statuses, sexes, ages, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, national origins, all ethnic and racial backgrounds, genetic information, and gender identities and expressions.
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
Personal interview with nutrition faculty
Prerequisites must be completed for a letter grade, minimum grade of C- (C for transfer) unless otherwise noted; with the exception of AP/IB credits and/or exemptions awarded by the University of Pittsburgh. Courses listed below are offered at the Pittsburgh Campus, courses taken at the regional Pitt campuses or external institutions must be evaluated as equivalent to satisfy these requirements. Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress.
- 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.
- The application for Fall 2023 admission will open in September 2022.
- 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 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;
- Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended are required prior to review. Pitt students do NOT need to supply their Pitt transcript. However, if you have earned college credit from any other schools, we will require those transcripts. If you are a student in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, we should have access to the transcripts for any non-Pitt coursework that already appears on your Pitt transcript as Transfer Credit. If you have non-Pitt coursework that does not already appear on your Pitt transcript, you must send us an official transcript. Otherwise, we will contact you if any transcripts are required.
Application Deadline
March 15.
Admission Timeline
Application review begins in January. The program will contact you to schedule an interview. Interviews take place in the spring term. Decisions are typically available on a rolling basis between February and April.
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;
- 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 15.
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;
- 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 15. Application review beings in January.
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.
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.
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).