Application to this program

Program Admission Requirements

The following criteria must be met for admission to the program:

1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the United States or the attainment of an academic level equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
3. Grade of C- or higher in the following required prerequisite courses:

• General Chemistry with lab
• Organic Chemistry with lab
• General Biology with lab
• Microbiology or Food Safety and Sanitation
• Human Physiology or 2 semesters of a combined Anatomy-Physiology course
• Biochemistry
• General or Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Nutrition
• Food Science with lab or Food Preparation with lab
• Advanced Nutrition/Nutrient Metabolism (300 or 400 level)
• Two courses of Medical Nutrition Therapy

Not all prerequisite courses need to be completed at the time of application. However, completion of all prerequisites with a grade of C- or higher will be required before program initiation.

To request a review of existing or planned courses to determine equivalency, email the course(s) in question and a copy of the relevant syllabi to:

Heather Rasmussen Interim Department Chair, Associate Professor, Professional Studies in Dietetics Program Director

4. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken within the last two years, is required of all applicants for whom English is not their native language. Official scores from ETS for the TOEFL must be received for your application to be reviewed. A score of at least 550 (pBT) or 79 (iBT) is required. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln institution code is 6877.
5. Meet recency of education requirements, if applicable.

GRE is not required.

Recency of Education Requirements

Additional courses in nutrition and the sciences are required to update a degree which was completed five or more years prior to the current application deadline. Before registering and completing the coursework, contact the program director to confirm the courses used to meet recency of education requirements are acceptable.

• 5 to 10 years since degree was completed (Grades must be B- or higher)
• 3 semester hours of medical nutrition therapy or clinical nutrition
• 3 semester hours of human physiology
• More than 10 years since degree was completed (Grades must be B- or higher)
• 3 semester hours of medical nutrition therapy or clinical nutrition
• 3 semester hours of physiology
• 3 semester hours of advanced nutrition

Application Requirements

The following documents are needed for a complete application: (Additional information about application components can be found online at: graduate.unl.edu/academics/programs/NUHS-MS)

• Application to Graduate School (online at unl.edu/gradstudies/admissions/steps) 
• Personal statement addressing the following: (limit of 1000 words)

• Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession? 
• What experiences have you had that have helped prepare you for your career? 
• What are your short-term and long-term goals?  
• What are your strengths and areas needing improvement? 
• Any other information you consider important for the selection decision.
• Resumé which provides adequate details related to work, volunteer, and leadership experiences.
• Unofficial (scanned) transcripts from each institution where courses were taken.
• Completion of required prerequisite form provided on the application website. For each required prerequisite course, provide the course number/title, number of credit hours, and grade received if already completed. If the prerequisite course has not been completed, indicate that course is currently in progress or identify when it will be completed.
• 3 recommendation letters: 2 letters must be from a collegiate academic reference and 1 must be from a supervisor at a current or former place of employment.

GRE is not required.

The application cycle will close on October 1, 2024 for the August 2025-December 2026 Professional Studies in Dietetics class. A total of 8 students are admitted annually.

Estimated Costs to Student

The following is a list of some of the program expenses incurred during completion of the program. As there are many variables that determine final costs, expenses are at best only approximation of various expenses encountered while completing the 16-month program.

Tuition 

Total tuition with program fees for the 45-credit program is $16,830 for residents and $26,940 for non-residents.

• Tuition costs for residents reflect 2024-2025 tuition rates per graduate credit hour. The inclusion of courses taught through distance education (asynchronous online) results in an additional $4/credit hour tuition cost compared to in-person tuition rates, or $44 for the entire program. This is reflected in the total cost listed above.
• Tuition costs for non-residents reflect the 2024-2025 tuition rates for non-residents with a partial tuition remission through the Husker Horizon Scholars Program. The inclusion of courses taught through distance education (asynchronous online) results in a decrease in tuition by $198/credit hour compared to in-person tuition rates, or $2,574 for the entire program. This is reflected in the total cost listed above. 

Additionally, students will need to pay university and facilities fees each semester.

Housing

Students provide their own living arrangements. Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lincoln, NE is approximately $1000/month.

Transportation

Students must have a car and auto insurance. All transportation to meetings and rotation assignments will be at the student's own expense. Some experiences will be completed in Omaha, and students will be responsible for associated gas costs.

Application Fee to Graduate College

At the time of application to the Graduate College, there is a $50 application fee for all applicants not currently enrolled at UNL. The application fee is $25 for applicants enrolled at UNL.

Approved Scrubs/Professional Dress

Students provide their own approved scrubs (if required). Students are expected to adhere to the appropriate dress code for each facility and to dress in a professional manner.

Food Handler's Permit

Students will be required to have a current food handler's permit at a cost of $20 for food service management-supervised experiential learning. 

Health Insurance

Health insurance is required. Students are eligible for the University's Student Health Insurance Plan.

Criminal and Abuse Background Check

While not required for application, final admission to the program is dependent upon completing a criminal and abuse background check. The College of Education and Human Sciences contracts with an outside vendor to conduct criminal and abuse background checks for incoming UNL students. Students are responsible for the cost of this process; the current cost is $33. The results of the checks will be maintained in the student’s file. If the criminal and abuse background checks reveal questionable information, a student may be denied direct patient/client access in facilities. This could result in unsuccessful completion of the program.

Professional Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is required and will be provided by the program with no additional cost to the student.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership and Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NAND) Annual Conference

Students are required to become student members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The $58 membership fee includes membership in the Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students are required to attend the NAND Annual Conference held each spring. Recently, attendance fees for students have been waived. However, if the attendance fee for students is not waived, students will be expected to cover the cost of attendance.

Technology and Required Textbooks

Students will be required to own a personal computer and have access to the internet to utilize online platforms used for both distance and in-person learning, to include Canvas and Zoom. Textbooks are required for select graduate courses (approximately $275.00). Students will have access to the eNCPT, which will be paid by the program.

Application for Graduate Degree Graduation

There is a $25.00 fee associated with applying for graduation.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Examination

Upon successful completion of the program, students will pay a cost of $225.00 to sit for the RDN examination.

Financial Aid and Loan Deferment

Financial Aid

Students are full-time students each semester and during the summer. Consequently, students are eligible to apply for financial aid and qualify for loan deferments every semester and during the summer.

Students who need to borrow funds for college expenses should inquire at:

Financial Support

Fellowships are awarded to all students at the beginning of each year of the program. The fellowship amount varies each year depending on fund availability.