Penn State University Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Sciences

The Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship (BWS DI) and Penn State University (PSU) collaborated to provide dietetic interns with the opportunity to enroll in a fully online, 30-credit-hour Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Science.

Penn State University’s (PSU) Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Science is designed to prepare students for evidence-based advanced practice. Their 30-credit curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and interactive technology to engage students in the learning process. The program’s coursework is focused on the development of leadership skills, which can set students apart from their peers.

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

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.

Penn State University

The admission requirements for Penn State University are as follows:

  • Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, animal sciences, food science, dietetics, or a related biological/biomedical or health sciences discipline
  • Prerequisite undergraduate courses for admission: organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, an introductory nutrition course, and one advanced nutrition course. Students must obtain a grade of B or better in each of these courses to be considered for admission
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • The GRE is not required to apply to PSU

Application requirements for Penn State University are as follows:

  • Official transcripts from each institution attended
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Program-specific questions, resume, and personal statement

More information about application requirements can be found here.

Students pursuing the PSU IUG degree program may apply to BWS DI through the DI-Only Pathway.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for PSU’s MPS in Nutritional Sciences. Learn more about tuition and financial aid here.

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 PSU’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 Penn State 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

Applications for the Penn State University and Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship MS/DI program are accepted during the spring and fall application cycles. 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: February 15th

Submit your application to PSU by Feb 15th to be considered 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 PSU Here

Fall Application Cycle Deadlines

BWS DI Application Deadline: October 15th*
Graduate School Application Deadline: November 15th

Submit your application to PSU by Nov 15th to be considered 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 PSU Here

Note: Individuals can pursue the Penn State 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

To view the Penn State 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 (May-August) Fall 1 (August-December) Spring 1 (January-May) Summer 2 (May-August) Fall 2 (August-December)
24 Months
  • NUTR 805
  • NUTR 810

7 Credits
  • NUTR 820
  • STAT 800 or 500

6 Credits
  • NUTR 840
  • NUTR 801

5 Credits

BWS DI Program Begins (Feb)

Start with Clinical Rotation
  • NUTR 830
  • NUTR 540

6 Credits

BWS DI Program
  • NUTR 850
  • NUTR 860
  • Capstone

6 Credits

BWS DI Program Ends (Oct)

DI Verification Statement (after MPS completed December graduation)

Summer 1 (May-August) Fall 1 (August-December) Spring 1 (January-May) Summer 2 (May-August) Fall 2 (August-December) Spring 2 (January-May)
28 Months
  • NUTR 805
  • NUTR 810

7 Credits
  • NUTR 820
  • STAT 800 or 500

6 Credits
  • NUTR 840
  • NUTR 801

5 Credits

BWS DI Program Begins (Feb)

Start with Clinical Rotation
  • NUTR 830

3 Credits

BWS DI Program
  • NUTR 850
  • NUTR 540

6 Credits

BWS DI Program Ends (Oct)
  • NUTR 860
  • Capstone

3 Credits

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 (May-August) Fall 1 (August-December) Spring 2 (January-May) Summer 2 (May-August) Fall 2 (August-December)
28 Months
  • NUTR 840
  • NUTR 801

5 Credits
  • NUTR 805
  • NUTR 810

7 Credits
  • NUTR 820
  • NUTR 850

6 Credits

BWS DI Program Begins (Aug)
  • STAT 800 or 500

3 Credits

BWS DI Program Ends (Apr)
  • NUTR 830
  • NUTR 540

6 Credits
  • NUTR 860
  • Capstone

3 Credits

DI Verification Statement

Graduation Requirements

Prior to graduating from Penn State University, students must complete a capstone project in which they identify an issue or problem in their work setting and produce and implement an evidence-based solution. Students must complete 30 credits.

More information about graduation and program completion requirements can be found here.

Contact Information

For questions about the Penn State University curriculum and/or specific PSU application requirements, please email Gina Pazzaglia at gps3@psu.edu.

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