The University of Alabama: Master of Science in Human Nutrition

The Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship (BWS DI) and The University of Alabama (UA) have collaborated to provide dietetic interns with the opportunity to enroll in a fully online, 30-credit-hour Master of Science program in Human Nutrition.

The program is creatively designed to provide foundation knowledge before starting coursework, integrate class assignments with experiences in the internship, and assure advanced knowledge in the field of nutrition and dietetics. BWS DI works closely with university faculty to align assignments and activities, allowing students to complete the internship and master’s degree in less than two years. All courses are offered fully online, and out-of-state fees are waived. Financial aid is available to cover course tuition and living expenses for students who qualify. The graduate program can accept up to 12 hours of graduate coursework as transfer credit that may be applied to the degree.

For a general overview of the program, click here. A more detailed Q&A session 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.

The University of Alabama

  • Applicants with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher may apply for admission to graduate school. Your application may also be considered if you have a 3.0 or higher in your last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
  • Applicants must submit their graduate school application to UA separately from the dietetic internship application.
  • UA does not require the GRE for admission into their program. More information about academic policies and admission criteria can be found here.

To apply to the UA graduate program, please follow the instructions below:

  • Complete the application here

    • MS in Human Nutrition
    • Generalist concentration (do NOT select a concentration)
    • Appropriate admission term–spring semester for fall match and summer semester for spring match
    • Application fee
    • Statement of Purpose
      • You may be able to update your DICAS letter to reflect your interest in graduate school, rather than writing an entirely new statement.
      • You will find the specific information to include in the UA Graduate School’s Program Directory.
    • Letters of recommendation
      • When asked for email addresses in the graduate school application, include the email address of 3 individuals who will write a letter of recommendation.
      • At least two should come from academic sources.
      • Tip: you can use the same letters of recommendation for your DICAS and graduate school applications!
    • Transcripts from all Colleges/Universities attended
      • You must upload a legible transcript or mark sheet for each college/university attended (including community colleges) at which you earned at least 15 semester hours of coursework.
      • Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable for the application. Official copies will be required upon acceptance.

AMP Students

Students pursuing the UA AMP program may apply to BWS DI through the DI-Only Pathway.

The cost of being a graduate student at UA is related to the costs for the application, tuition, and textbooks. Application fees are waived for certain groups. Most current application fees can be found here. Current tuition rates can be found here. In addition, textbooks can cost anywhere between $100-$400/semester, depending on the courses and required resources.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for students. More information can be found 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 UA’s MS program to be eligible for the pathway. Proof may be provided directly to BWS DI by the applicant or 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 the University of Alabama. 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 University of Alabama 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: April 15th

Submit your application to The University of Alabama by April 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 UA Here

Fall Application Cycle Deadlines

BWS DI Application Deadline: October 15th*
Graduate School Application Deadline: December 1st

Submit your application to The University of Alabama by December 1st 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 UA Here

Note: Individuals can pursue The University of Alabama 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

MS + DI Curriculum Timeline (Spring Application Cycle)

A copy of the academic calendar for the students in the graduate degree track can be found on the website for the Office of the University Registrar here. Students enrolled in the graduate degree track will follow the university calendar for all graduate coursework.

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

Summer 1

(June-Early August)

 Fall 1

(August-Mid December)

 Spring 1

(January-Mid May)

 Summer 2

(June-Early August)

 Fall 2

(August-Mid December)
18 months
  • NHM 566
  • NHM 587
  • NHM 509
  • NHM 572
  • NHM 585*
  • NHM 567

or

  • NHM 588*
  • POPH 522

BWS DI Program Begins (Feb)
  • NHM 597
  • NHM 573

BWS DI Program
  • NHM 585*
  • NHM 567

or

  • NHM 588*
  • POPH 522

BWS DI Program Ends (Oct)

DI Verification Statement

MS + DI Curriculum Timeline (Fall Application Cycle)

A copy of the academic calendar for the students in the graduate degree track can be found on the website for the Office of the University Registrar here. Students enrolled in the graduate degree track will follow the university calendar for all graduate coursework.

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

Spring 1

(January-Mid May)

 Summer 1

(June-Early August)

 Fall 1

(August-Mid December)

 Spring 2

(January-Mid May)

 Summer 2

(June-Early August)
18 months
  • NHM 566
  • NHM 587
  • NHM 509
  • NHM 572
  • NHM 585*
  • NHM 567

or

  • NHM 588*
  • POPH 522

BWS DI Program Begins (Aug)
  • NHM 585*
  • NHM 567

or

  • NHM 588*
  • POPH 522

BWS DI Program Ends (Apr)
  • NHM 597
  • NHM 573

DI Verification Statement

Spring 1

(January-Mid May)

 Summer 1

(June-Early August)

 Fall 1

(August-Mid December)

 Spring 2

(January-Mid May)
14 months
  • NHM 566
  • NHM 587
  • NHM 572
  • NHM 509
  • NHM 573
  • NHM 567
  • NHM 585*
  • NHM 597

or

  • NHM 588*
  • POPH 522

BWS DI Program Begins (Aug)
  • NHM 585*
  • NHM 597

or

  • NHM 588*
  • POPH 522

BWS DI Program Ends (Apr)

DI Verification Statement

Graduation Requirements

To complete the MS in Human Nutrition, students will need to complete the following:

  • The required courses designated in their track.
  • A minimum of 18 hours in NHM designated courses (may include non-thesis and thesis research hours).
  • A minimum of 30 credit hours at the graduate level (500 or greater).
  • Completion of a Capstone Experience, which is incorporated into the degree’s curriculum.
  • Earn a grade of a B or better in all required core coursework and a minimum of 18 NHM graduate credit hours.
  • At least a 3.0 overall GPA to graduate.

More information about program completion requirements can be found here.

If a student is dismissed from graduate school, they will not be allowed to continue in the dietetic internship unless proof of admission to another graduate school can be provided. Please review the graduate school requirements for completing the degree.

Contact Information

For questions about The University of Alabama curriculum and/or specific UA application requirements, please email Tiffany Hylton at tmhylton@ches.ua.edu.

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