Eligibility & Requirements
To enter the dual master’s degree/dietetic internship program at KU, you will need to meet the following admission requirements.
Note: Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are no longer required for application, are not entered during the application process, and are not considered in the admission process.
College Degree
A bachelor’s degree from a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics is required for admission. The degree must be from a college or university recognized by the US Department of Education.
The University of Kansas does not offer an accredited DPD. View a list of accredited programs at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated for equivalency. For guidelines, see the information for international students provided by ACEND.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) now requires a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). If a student does not already have a graduate degree, they must complete the dual master's degree/dietetic internship program to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN. If a student already has a master’s degree, they may apply to KU's dietetic internship certificate program to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN.
For more information about this requirement visit the CDR website.
Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dual master's degree/dietetic internship program at the University of Kansas Medical Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RD.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice.
All U.S. states with licensure and certification requirements currently accept the registered dietitian credential for state licensure and certification purposes. The Commission on Dietetic Registration provides information on specific state licensure requirements.
See also:
Grade Point Average
A cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all college coursework is required for admission.
Vaccine and Clinical Site Requirements
Matriculated students will need to provide an immunization profile prior to participating in curricular and/or clinical experiences required by the program. Please read the information found at the bottom of the program's curriculum page and be sure that you understand these requirements.
Background Check
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires all incoming students to pay for a background check and submit the report to KU. You pay this one-time fee directly to the company performing the background investigation. You will be asked to provide information and make the payment once you have been officially accepted into the program. For more information, please see the School of Health Professions background check instructions.
International Students
An applicant is considered an international student if they require a visa, or currently resides in the U.S. with non-immigrant status, or currently resides in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency. Additional requirements and documentation, such as proof of English language proficiency, are required for international students to become eligible for KU programs. Please review the information for international applicants before applying.
The Selection Process
When selecting individuals for admission to the program, we consider the following criteria, listed in order starting with most important.
- Academic performance (cumulative GPA*, DPD professional GPA, and science GPA are all considered).
- Virtual interview.
- General work experience and nutrition/health care-related experience (paid or volunteer).
- Leadership undergraduate research and awards.
- Personal statement: must respond to four applicant questions; are required as part of DICAS application; personal statement. See how to apply page for more information.
- Recommendation letters.
* Please note that a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.
Complete applications received by the specified deadline will be evaluated by the selection committee. All applicants will be scored based upon the criteria listed above. Applicants meeting admissions requirements will be scored and based upon the application pool, will be extended a position in the program, waitlisted, or declined.