Benedictine University: Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship (BWS DI) and Benedictine University collaborated to provide dietetic interns with the opportunity to enroll in a fully online, 33-credit-hour Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.

In our dynamic healthcare environment, it is essential for health practitioners to develop skills for fostering improved health outcomes. The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program at Benedictine University provides a powerful foundation in nutrition and health risk assessment, motivation, intervention, and evaluation. This degree serves as a portal to careers in health promotion and risk reduction, medical nutrition therapeutic intervention, and community education.

Students become broadly educated in the core discipline of nutrition and dietetics. Learning at Benedictine University combines instructional expertise with individual initiative, creativity, research, and field experience so that the adult learner will find the educational experience a stepping stone to professional success.

Admission and Application Requirements

Individuals interested in this pathway will need to apply separately to each program as part of the MS/DI pathway application process. More information is detailed below for each program’s admissions and application requirements.

Benedictine University

The admission requirements for Benedictine University are as follows:

  • Applicants are expected to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0-point scale
  • GRE scores are optional but welcomed: Target scores for the GRE are at the 30th percentile for each section. Without the GRE included, more weight will be on references on the letter of application.

More information about admission and application requirements can be found here.

The application requirements for Benedictine University are as follows:

  • References
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Letter of application/personal statement
  • Official transcripts for all colleges/universities attended

Benedictine University is willing to accept DICAS recommendation letters and personal statement used for applying to the dietetic internship, but still requires completion of their graduate student application form. More information about application requirements can be found here.

The procedure for applying to the graduate program starts with registration in the BenU student portal in order to access the online Graduate Application. Click here to get started.

More information about tuition and financial aid for Benedictine University can be found at the following links: Tuition and Financial Aid

Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship Program

  • Official Transcript
    • MS/DI Pathway: Letter of acceptance into the chosen graduate program provided to BWS DI before Orientation
    • DI-Only Pathway: Official transcript from a graduate program that has either been completed or in progress. Or letter of acceptance into a graduate program provided to BWS DI before Orientation
  • Valid DPD Verification Statement
  • A 3.0 GPA is preferred, but not required
  • Note: BWS DI does not require a Graduate Record Examination score (GREs)

To apply to the BWS DI Program, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Register and submit the following DICAS requirements:
    1. Academic requirements
    2. Write a personal statement
    3. Submit 3 letters of recommendation
    4. Resume
  2. Complete your BWS DI Program Plan (submitted via DICAS)

As part of the MS/DI pathway application process, BWS DI requests that applicants provide proof of acceptance into BenU’s MS program to be eligible for the pathway. Proof may be provided by signing a FERPA Waiver. This waiver allows the university and BWS DI to communicate directly on your behalf before and during the MS/DI program. 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 (within 48 hours of acceptance to the BWS DI program).

Tuition for the Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship Program is $12,500 for applicants who have graduated from, are currently attending, or plan to complete their MS/DI with Benedictine University. BWS DI covers professional liability insurance, a background check, HIPAA and OSHA training, and 1-year student memberships to the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and Nutrition Care Manual in the tuition, so there are no additional program fees. Applicants can also save an additional $500 off their tuition by applying through our early decision process.

For those utilizing student loans for their MS program, interns can also apply any remaining student loan dollars to their dietetic internship tuition. Personalized payment plans are also available. More information can be found here.

Important Dates

The admissions process for this degree program is conducted throughout the year. Students typically begin their courses for the program in the summer or fall as part of a cohort. Other important dates specific to the BWS DI program can be found here.

Spring Application Cycle Deadlines

BWS DI Application Deadline: February 15th*
Graduate School Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions

Benedictine University admits students on a rolling basis for the summer semester start date. For the spring application cycle, the dietetic internship will start in February, as outlined in the MS/DI curriculum below.

*Apply to BWS DI by January 15th to qualify for our Early Decision Discount.
Apply to Benedictine Here

Fall Application Cycle Deadlines

BWS DI Application Deadline: October 15th*
Graduate School Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions

Benedictine University admits students on a rolling basis for the spring semester start date. For the fall application cycle, the dietetic internship will start in August, as outlined in the MS/DI curriculum below.

*Apply to BWS DI by September 15th to qualify for our Early Decision Discount.
Apply to Benedictine Here

Note: Individuals can pursue the Benedictine University and Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship MS/DI Program without adhering to the exact application schedule above. If you are interested in customizing your timeline, please email bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com.

MS/DI Curriculum

Students typically enroll in one course at a time (eight weeks) with two courses per semester term, and 3 terms per year, completing the degree in less than two years. However, students who start in the fall can complete this degree in as few as 16 months by completing more courses per semester. Since applicants with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics have completed upper level nutrition courses and related science courses prior to entry, these students can double up on courses to complete the degree in one year.

Students need to be registered in two courses per term to be eligible for any federal loans.

To view the Benedictine University academic calendar, please click here.

MS + DI Curriculum Timeline (Spring Application Cycle)

The curriculum timeline for the Spring Application Cycle can be found below:

Summer 1

(June-August)

 Fall 1

(August-December)

 Spring 1

(January-May)

 Summer 2

(June-August)

 Fall 2

(August-December)
21 months
  • PBHL 5502
  • NUTR 5581

6 Credits
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • NUTR 5585

9 Credits
  • NUTR 5539
  • NUTR 5557

6 Credits

BWS DI Program Begins (Feb)
  • NUTR 6693
  • NUTR 6658
  • NUTR 5687**

12 Credits

**Paperwork for NUTR 5687 to be completed in the final term of the program. The DI is counting towards NUTR 5687.

BWS DI Program

 BWS DI Program Ends (Oct)

DI Verification Statement

MS + DI Curriculum Timeline (Fall Application Cycle)

The curriculum timeline for the Fall Application Cycle can be found below:

Spring 1

(January-May)

 Summer 1

(June-August)

 Fall 1

(August-December)

 Spring 2

(January-May)
17 months
  • NUTR 5539, NUTR 5557, PBHL 5502

9 Credits
  • NUTR 6693
  • NUTR 6658

6 Credits
  • Elective
  • NUTR 5585

6 Credits

BWS DI Program Begins (Aug)
  • Elective
  • NUTR 5581
  • NUTR 5687**

***Paperwork for NUTR 5687(6) to be completed in the final term of the program. The DI is counting
towards NUTR 5687

12 Credits

BWS DI Program Ends (Apr)

DI Verification Statement

Graduation Requirements

The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics program requires 33 semester credits of graduate coursework. The Foundation courses are required of those pursuing any of the three tracks in addition to course requirements specific to that track. Students must earn a grade of ‘B’ or better in foundation courses. Students in this combined MS + Be Well Solutions DI program must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in courses completed Track B courses. Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.00/4.00. Refer to the graduate catalog for details.

Contact Information

For questions about the Benedictine University curriculum and/or specific ASU application requirements, please email Dr. Bonnie Beezhold at bbeezhold@ben.edu.

For questions about the Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship Program and/or MS/DI pathway, please email bwsdi@bewellsolutions.com.