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The Accelerated Master of Science is an upper division program, to learn more about these programs, click here.

Application

Application Opens

Accelerated MS
October 7, 2024

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate
September 15, 2024

Application Closes

March 1, 2025

Application System

Accelerated MS

Current University of Pittsburgh undergraduates: Complete the SHRS Upper-Level Transfer Application (ULTA).
Transfer students: Complete transfer application and pay the application fee through the main Pitt Admissions office followed by the ULTA application.

DPD and Post-Baccalaureate
Complete the application through the Graduate Centralized Application System (GradCAS).
The application fee is $50 (U.S).

Prerequisites

Accelerated MS

Minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0)
- Please note that admission to the program is competitive and meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission.
61-63 credits are required to begin the program
- Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress.
- All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to the start of the fall semester (August). The only prerequisite courses that may be taken in the first year of the program are: NUTR 1600 Introduction to the Profession of Dietetics and NUTR 1612 Food and Culture.

Prerequisites Courses

Grade of C- (C for transfer), “1 course” = 3 credits minimum required.

Introduction to Nutrition, HRS 1006, NUTR 1006 or NUTR 1007**
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 1, CHEM 0310 or Principles of Organic Chemistry, CHEM 0350
Biochemistry, BIOSC 1000**
Introduction to Microbiology, BIOSC 1850
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, 1000 or 1100 required
Social Sciences*, 1 course
Psychology, 1 course

**These courses need to have been completed within the past five years.

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required

Post-Baccalaureate

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress.
- All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to the start of the fall semester (August). The only prerequisite courses that may be taken in the first year of the program are: NUTR 1600 Introduction to the Profession of Dietetics and NUTR 1612 Food and Culture.
Minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0).

Prerequisites Courses

Courses must be completed for a letter grade; minimum grade of C. Coursework will be evaluated at time of application for equivalency to Pitt courses.

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
Biochemistry**
Introduction to Microbiology
College Algebra or higher math
Statistics
English Composition
English Writing
Communications
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.

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required

Didactic Program in Dietetics Graduate

The program is looking for a verification statement for an ACEND accredited undergraduate program.

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required.

No other prerequisites are required.

*See the General Education and Graduation requirements from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to provide transcripts from all U.S. universities, colleges or other higher education institutions attended.

Admitted students will need to submit official transcripts to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.

Experience

All applications require 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 nutrition and dietetics related settings; there is no minimum number of hours required.

Current Pitt Students: View this SharePoint Site for more information about local Pittsburgh shadowing, volunteering and other hands-on opportunities. Pitt Passport required.

Personal Statement

All applications require a personal statement.

Accelerated MS
An essay addressing the following: Self-evaluation essay, discussing strengths, skills, and experiences that will contribute to success in the program and the applicant’s professional goals as a registered dietitian.

Post-Baccalaureate
Upload a personal statement discussing how any of your experiences, identities, and/or background will inform and/or support your journey through the Dietitian Nutritionist program and as a leader in the dietetics profession.

DPD Graduate
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. Maximum of 500 words.

Technical Standards and Skills

All candidates and students must have access to a computing device for the program curriculum, for in-class activities and online coursework.

Students will need access to a computer with a camera, a high-speed Internet connection, an updated version of a web browser, and access to common tools and software such as Microsoft email, as well as program specific software listed under Program Costs. If there is a concern with access to the above requirements, please contact the program director immediately for support.

Full understanding of the Essential Program Standards.

Application Review Process

For the Accelerated MS
Personal interview with the nutrition faculty by request.

For the DPD and Post-Baccalaureate
A personal interview with nutrition faculty is required.

Other Requirements

Clinical Clearances

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.

International Student Information

The following requirements are necessary for applicants from outside of the U.S.

For questions about the international student requirements, please reach out to the SHRS Admissions Office.

Academic Credential Evaluations

Students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or World Education Services (WES), Inc. with their application.

A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion is required.
Evaluations are not required for degrees earned in the United States. If you have attended an English Canadian institution, please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.
Individual SHRS programs may have their own specific Academic Credential Evaluation requirements.

Verification of English Language Proficiency

The University of Pittsburgh accepts the official results of the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a measure of English language proficiency.

Verification is required unless the following apply:

The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.
The applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
The applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.

Minimum Scores by Program

On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 115 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOFEL: 80

Athletic Training (MS)
Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cybersecurity (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)
Occupational Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
Physical Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)
Sports Science (MS)

On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOFEL: 100

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
Communication Science and Disorders (Post-Baccalaureate)
Communication Science (PhD)
Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)
Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
Rehabilitation Science (PhD)
Speech Language Pathology (MA/MS)

Hybrid and Online Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOFEL: 100

Hybrid
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)
Online
- Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy (CScD)
- Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice (Certificate)
- Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
- Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cyber Security (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)

How to Submit Scores

Duolingo English Test: Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to institution code “2927”.

Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)

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Admissions

Application

Application Opens

Application Closes

Application System

Prerequisites

Accelerated MS

Post-Baccalaureate

Didactic Program in Dietetics Graduate

Transcripts

Experience

Personal Statement

Technical Standards and Skills

Application Review Process

Other Requirements

Clinical Clearances

International Student Information

Academic Credential Evaluations

Verification of English Language Proficiency

How to Submit Scores

Related Programs:

Athletic Training (MS)

Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)

Sports Science (MS)

Nutrition Science (BS)

Have Questions?

Related Programs:

Athletic Training (MS)

Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)

Sports Science (MS)

Nutrition Science (BS)

Get More Information

Get More Information

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