Arizona State University Master of Science in Nutritional Science-Dietetics

The College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University (ASU) offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Nutritional Science. The ASU MS program in Nutritional Science prepares students to translate nutrition science into practical use for human health and wellness. Students learn about nutrition alongside faculty who are immersed in the latest research, and they build practical understanding through internships and their own guided research. The program is based on the scientific foundations of human nutrition but also prepares students to have strong writing and problem-solving skills, computer literacy, interpretive expertise, and research experiences. The primary objective of the graduate program in nutritional science is to provide advanced training in nutrition research. Graduate students are expected to develop competencies in research methods and advanced practice knowledge relevant to their area of study. The skills and knowledge acquired during training should enable each student to develop professional competencies that can be applied to significant problems and issues within the field of nutrition and dietetics. Students who have completed an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) may also elect to apply to the ASU Dietetic Internship (MS-Track) to meet the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

The Nutritional Science Graduate Student Handbook supplements the guidelines of the ASU Graduate College. Graduate students should be familiar with and observe all requirements and procedures. Students completing the MS degree in Nutritional Science will:

  • Demonstrate entry-level competence in research design, statistical methods, and ethical conduct in research studies.
  • Integrate knowledge of macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism into the development of recommendations for populations and individuals in health and disease.
  • Design and evaluate nutrition interventions utilizing knowledge and skills in nutrition 5 Revised June 2021 assessment and chronic disease prevention and treatment.
  • Evaluate current U.S. and global nutrition programs and interventions and develop an understanding of program development.

More information about the program’s mission and objectives can be found here.

Admission and Application Requirements

To apply to ASU, you must either be a registered dietitian nutritionist or have completed an accredited didactic program in dietetics. The admission and application requirements for ASU are as follows:

  • Minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of your bachelor’s program (or a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the last 12 units of post-baccalaureate transcript)
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal statement
  • Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Current registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential or didactic program in dietetics (DPD) verification statement

The GRE is not required to apply to ASU. More information about admission and application requirements can be found here.

Applications for the ASU program are accepted for fall and spring admission. The application schedule below is for interns who are applying to the Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship MS/DI Pathway:

Application Period Graduate School Application Deadline Graduate School Decision Deadline
Fall Match September 25 October 25
Spring Match February 15 March 22
As part of the MS/DI pathway application process, BWS DI requests that applicants provide proof of acceptance into ASU’s MS program to be eligible for the pathway. Proof may be provided by signing a FERPA Waiver. This waiver allows the university and the internship to communicate and will ensure that BWS DI receives information directly from the university about acceptance in time for the match decision deadline. Additionally, the form allows continued communication between the programs once the applicant is accepted. If you prefer not to sign the FERPA waiver, please contact us at bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com. Signed FERPA waivers may be sent to bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com.

Tuition and Financial Aid

More information about tuition and financial aid for Arizona State University can be found here.

MS + DI Curriculum Timeline (Spring Match)

The curriculum timeline for the Spring Match is as follows:

Session A: NTR 502, Elective

Session B: NTR 500, Elective

*12 Credits

Session A: Elective, Elective

Session B: NTR 501, Elective

*12 credits

BWS DI Orientation

Session A: NTR 593- Part I

Session B: NTR 593-Part II

*6 credits

Dietetic Internship

MS + DI Curriculum Timeline (Fall Match)

The curriculum timeline for the Fall Match is as follows:

Session A: Elective, NTR 537

Session B: NTR 501, Elective

*12 Credits

Session A: NTR 502, Elective

Session B: NTR 500, Elective

*12 Credits

BWS DI Orientation

Session A: NTR 593-Part I

Session B: NTR 593-Part II

*6 Credits

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

Please review the Curriculum and Graduation Requirements section in the ASU Nutritional Science (Dietetics) Handbook.

Contact Information

Any questions about the ASU + BWS DI MS/DI Pathway may be sent to bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com or Robin DeWeese, Program Director of the ASU MSD Program, Robin.Deweese@asu.edu.