The steps below outline the application process for the MS in Nutrition – Dietitian Education Program (DEP).
Online Application
Complete the online UAB Graduate School Application. The application fee is $50.
- Official transcripts
- Complete prerequisite screening
- 3 letters of recommendations
- Demographic information
- Personal statement
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- No GRE required
Transcripts
Submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended directly to the UAB graduate school – note that proof of Bachelor’s degree is required. Send electronic transcripts to
Screening
Complete a 
DEP Screening Form. Indicate prerequisite courses that you have completed. 
Download information about prerequisite courses.
- Introductory Biology (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
- Physiology (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
- Organic Chemistry (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
- Microbiology (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
Collect syllabi for the following courses or courses that you think might be equivalent to the UAB minor and return them with the completed DEP Screening Form to Dr. Marian Carter (
- NTR 222 Nutrition and Health (Intro to Nutrition) (3 credit hours)
- NTR 232 Lifecycle Nutrition (3 credit hours)
- NTR 320 Nutrition and the Consumer (3 credit hours)
- NTR 330 Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credit hours)
- NTR 420 Nutrition Genetics (3 credit hours)
- NTR 421 Nutrition Assessment and the Nutrition Care Process (3 credit hours)
REQUIRED: Send completed DEP Screening Form and Syllabi to Dr. Marian Carter (
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. Strong letters of recommendation generally come from the following:
- Current or previous professor
- Supervisor
- Professional (preferably from a Registered Dietitian)
Every applicant has unique circumstances. Collectively, your letters of recommendation should describe transferable skills such as leadership, critical thinking, decision making, overcoming adversity and attest to your academic ability to complete a rigorous graduate program. Providing specific examples that illustrate these characteristics make for a strong letter of recommendation. The UAB Graduate School will send an email link to each of your references from the email address that you provide for each reference as part of your UAB Graduate School application. Your letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically by your references directly to the UAB Graduate School.
Other Requirements
- You must successfuly complete all prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C earned before the program begins. If you do not have a minimum grade of C, it is suggested that you retake the course.
- Complete a personal statement.
- If your application is selected to move forward in the admission process, a virtual interview is required.
- Exceptions to any admission requirements will be considered on an individual basis by the Dietitian Education Program Director, and the DEP Admissions Committee.
- Applicants with networking experiences in the field of nutrition and dietetics is expected. These experiences can be paid or unpaid. Please see the networking section below for more information.
Networking
Networking is a very important aspect of learning about a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. There are many opportunities to assist.
- Build relationships with your professors. Keep in mind you will need several letters of recommendation.
- Get involved with your local dietetic association.
- Shadow a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (preferred) or other related health professionals (e.g., Pharmacist, Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, Physician Assistant, Clinical Lab Technician). Strive for obtaining quality experiences where you gain depth of knowledge. Keep in mind that you can have these experiences in a variety of settings, such as in the clinical setting, community setting, or food service setting. Use these experiences to build your professional relationships and to demonstrate depth of unique experiences that make you stand out.
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Students in our MS in Nutrition Sciences – Dietitian Education Program must complete 1,200 hours of supervised practice experiences (practicums).
Students in the MS Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program (DEP) complete 58 credit hours of graduate coursework, including 24 credit hours of practicum requirements.
The DEP track curriculum is taught completely online to allow flexibility and convenience for students who reside outside of Birmingham and for the integration of practicum requirements. Though the curriculum is entirely online, practicum requirements are completed in-person within facilities that meet supervised practice requirements. The DEP track, including practicum requirements, can be completed wherever you are located. Students do not have to relocate to Birmingham to complete the program.
This is a full-time graduate-degree program; courses are offered in a specific sequence of study. Courses or supervised practice hours taken at any other institution cannot fulfill requirements of the DEP as there is no policy to evaluate equivalencies. Pre-requisites for admission to the program are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the program.
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Fall (Year 1) – 13 credit hours
- NTR 600: Principles of Food Science Operations and Menu planning (3 hours)
- NTR 604: Principles and Practice of Nutrition Support (3 hours)
- NTR 621: Applied Statistics to Nutrition Sciences I (3 hours)
- NTR 632: Nutrition Counseling and Education (4 hours)
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Spring (Year 1) – 12 credit hours
- NTR 601: Advanced Medical Nutrition (3 hours)
- NTR 611: Advanced Food System and Resource Management (3 hours)
- NTR 631: Community Interventions for Healthy Lifestyles (3 hours)
- NTR 637: Applied Research in Nutrition Sciences (3 hours)
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Summer (Year 1) – 10 credit hours
- NTR 500: Communication in Nutrition (1 hour)
- NTR 618: Nutritional Biochemistry (6 hours)
- NTR 670: Practicum in Wellness (3 hours)*
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Fall (Year 2) – 11 credit hours
- NTR 671: Practicum in Community Nutrition (3 hours)*
- NTR 672: Practicum in Food Systems Management (3 hours)*
- NTR 673: Practicum in Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 hours)*
- NTR 690: Seminar (2 hours)
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Spring (Year 2) – 12 credit hours
- NTR 674: Practicum in Medical Nutrition Therapy II (4 hours)*
- NTR 675: Practicum in Dietetic Administration (4 hours)*
- NTR 676: Advanced Practicum in Dietetics (4 hours)*
- NTR 501: RDN Certification Review (0 hours)**
*Denotes practicum course. These courses are considered in-person experiences and therefore are subject to tuition charges based on state residency classification (resident or nonresident).
**Students are required to register for NTR501 during their final spring semester. NTR 501 is the two-day Review/Overview Course that is hosted via Zoom. Students are not charged tuition for this course but will pay a non-refundable $550 fee.
Graduation Requirements
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA to maintain good Academic Standing. Graduates receive their Verification Statement and are eligible to take the national exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) once they have completed all degree requirements of the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program. The maximum time allowed for completion of the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program is three years.
Additional Information
Please refer to the UAB Academic Calendar for important dates.
Descriptions of Nutrition Sciences graduate coursework can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
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Application Deadline
Application Opens: August 5
Early Application Deadline: December 1* (Admission notification by January 15)
Final Application Deadline: February 1*
Admissions Notification: Applicant notified no later than March 1
Applicant Decision: Applicant notifies program no later than March 15
*Applications must be completed in full prior to application deadline of interest (December 1 or February 1).
The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program is an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)–accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics. This track accepts admission for the fall term only and accepts a total of 30 incoming students each year. All coursework is online, and the student completes all supervised experience hours in-person in the city where they reside.
Open House
The MS in Nutrition Sciences-Dietitian Education Program will host a Virtual Open House on September 19, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT. Dr. Lizzy Davis will discuss the program details as well as how UAB’s program could align with your interest or career goals. Register here today.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program, you must have:
- Completed a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States
- Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- No GRE required
- Have a DPD verification statement or have completed the equivalent to the following science and nutrition prerequisites:
- Introductory Biology – 3 credit hours- lab is not required
- Organic Chemistry – 3 credit hours – lab it not required
- Microbiology – 3 credit hours – lab is not required
- Physiology - 3 credit hours – lab is not required
- NTR222 Nutrition and Health (Intro to Nutrition) (3 credit hours)
- NTR232 Lifecycle Nutrition (3 credit hours)
- NTR320 Nutrition and the Consumer (3 credit hours)
- NTR330 Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credit hours)
- NTR420 Nutrition Genetics (3 credit hours)
- NTR421 Nutrition Assessment and the Nutrition Care Process (3 credit hours)
REQUIRED: Send completed DEP Screening Form and syllabi of nutrition courses to Dr. Marian Carter (
Although we require a minimum grade of C or better for prerequisite courses, the most competitive students have a GPA well above 3.0 in prerequisite courses, and overall undergraduate degree GPA. Prerequisites cannot be completed concurrently with this degree program; all prerequisites must be completed prior to the program start date.
If you have not completed the equivalent to the prerequisites listed above, you may consider exploring the Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention Program. Students in the LMDP track can apply to the Dietitian Education Graduate Certificate Program (DEP-C). Graduates of the LMDP track with the Dietitian Education Graduate Certificate Program are eligible to take the national exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Application Process
- Complete the online application Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) portal. The application fee is $50. Detailed information about DICAS application procedure and fees can be found on the DICAS Applicant Help Center.
- Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended directly to DICAS. In the coursework entry section, applicants must also enter all courses exactly as they appear on their transcripts. These steps must be completed for your GPA to be calculated accurately. A full tutorial is available on the DICAS Applicant Help Center website.
- Recommendations: Three letters of recommendation are required. Strong letters of recommendation generally come from the following:
- Current or previous professor
- Current or previous work supervisor
- A registered dietitian you’ve interacted with professionally (if not applicable, use another professor or work supervisor)
Every applicant has unique circumstances. Collectively, your letters of recommendation should describe transferable skills such as leadership, critical thinking, decision making, overcoming adversity and attest to your academic ability to complete a rigorous graduate program. Providing specific examples that illustrate these characteristics make for a strong letter of recommendation. DICAS will send an email link to each of your references from the email address that you provide for each reference as part of your application. Your letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically by your references directly to DICAS.
- Complete the program specific questions.
- Interview: If your application is selected to move forward in the admission process, a virtual interview is required.
- Admissions Decision
- Early Decisions: Applications submitted on or before December 1 will receive an admission decision by January 15.
- Applications received after December 1 and prior to the February 1 deadline will receive an admission decision by March 1.
- All applicants who receive offers for admission into the program must notify UAB of their decision to accept or decline their offer by March 15.
- Applications must be completed in full prior to application deadline of interest (December 1 or February 1).
- Graduate School Application
- Students who accept offers for admission into the Dietitian Education Program will then apply to the UAB Graduate School (Deadline: June 1)
- Application fee: $50
Other Requirements
- Exceptions to any admission requirements will be considered on an individual basis by the Dietitian Education Program Director, and the DEP Admissions Committee.
- Applicants with networking experiences in the field of nutrition and dietetics is expected. These experiences can be paid or unpaid. Please see the networking section below for more information.
- Learn more about the Supervised Practice (practicum) process.
Networking
Networking is a very important aspect of learning about a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. There are many opportunities to assist.
- Build relationships with your professors. Keep in mind you will need several letters of recommendation.
- Get involved with your local dietetic association.
- Shadow a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (preferred) or other related health professionals (e.g., Pharmacist, Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, Physician Assistant, Clinical Lab Technician). Strive for obtaining quality experiences where you gain depth of knowledge. Keep in mind that you can have these experiences in a variety of settings, such as in the clinical setting, community setting, or food service setting. Use these experiences to build your professional relationships and to demonstrate depth of unique experiences that make you stand out.
International Applicants
Due to the exclusively online delivery system of the Dietitian Education track, this program is not available to students who desire to pursue their studies while physically present in the US on an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Applicants who are physically present in the US in another immigration status that permits exclusively online study (such as H-4, L-2, TN, pending green card, etc.) are welcome to apply.
Please email your current immigration document (USCIS approval or receipt notice, plus most recent I-94 card) to
The program expects a cumulative TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, PTEA (Pearson Test of English Academics) score of 53, Duolingo score of 120, or IELA (International English Language Assessment) score of 176.
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The UAB Coordinated Program in Dietetics - Dietitian Education Program's mission is to prepare graduates who are highly trained entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists through community partnerships, the translation of research, and acquisition of knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve the lifestyle wellness of Birmingham, the state, and beyond.
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Goal 1: The program will prepare graduates to be competent entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) to serve in the Birmingham area and beyond.
Program Completion
- At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 3 years in the Dietitian Education Program Track and 2.25 years in the Dietitian Education Program Graduate Certificate of the Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention Track (150% of the program length).
Graduate Performance on Registration Exam
- At least 80% percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Graduate Employment
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
Employer Satisfaction
- During their first year of employment, at least 90% of program graduates will be ranked by employers as “satisfactory” or better in professional knowledge and skills as compared to the expected competency of an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
Program Specific
- On the alumni survey one-year (12 months) post program completion, at least 80% of graduates will rate themselves as “satisfied” or above with their ability to perform entry-level RDN competencies at work.
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Goal 2: The program will prepare graduates who demonstrate the ability to utilize current evidence-based research and apply the research process in professional practice.
Program Specific
- Eighty percent of program graduates rate themselves as “somewhat confident” or above regarding their ability to use current research findings in professional practice.
- During first year of employment, at least 80% of program graduates will be ranked by employers as “satisfactory” or better in their ability to use the research process to make decisions in professional practice.
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes data are available upon request. Please email
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I want to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) – is this the right program for me?
Yes! The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program (DEP) is a Coordinated Program in Dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The DEP combines the academic requirements and supervised practice experiences needed to qualify graduates to take the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to become an RDN.
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I have a bachelor’s degree in a non-related field. Can I still apply to the DEP?
Students from all disciplines are welcome to apply to the Dietitian Education Program as long as they have completed the following prerequisite courses: biology, organic chemistry, physiology, microbiology, and the equivalent of a Minor in Nutrition Sciences.
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I have not met all of the prerequisite requirements. What should I do?
All prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning this degree program. Students who are missing prerequisites are encouraged to find courses at their local university or community college. Those missing the required nutrition courses are encouraged to complete these requirements with a Minor in Nutrition Sciences at UAB.
Students who are missing all nutrition prerequisites may consider applying to the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention (LMDP) track. The LMDP track is designed for students with a non-nutrition background interested in pursuing a career in the field of nutrition. Students in the LMDP track are eligible to enroll in the Dietitian Education Graduate Certificate Program upon successful completion of 29-specified credit hours of their LMDP plan of study. Upon completion of the LMDP track with the Dietitian Education Graduate Certificate Program, students are eligible to sit for the national examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
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I completed my prerequisite courses at another college/university. How can I tell if they’ll count toward prerequisite requirements for the DEP track?
The “Transfer Credit Equivalencies” tool can help you determine if the courses you completed compare to those we recommend at UAB.
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What is the difference between the DEP and DEP-C?
Students are eligible to apply to the DEP if they’ve completed all necessary prerequisite requirements. If you’re far from completing all of these, you may find completing the prerequisites required for admission to the LMDP a more expedited option. Both Master of Science tracks require the same science courses to be eligible to apply, but the DEP requires more nutrition prerequisites.
Students admitted to the Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention (LMDP) track are eligible to enroll in the Dietitian Education Graduate Certificate Program (DEP-C) after they’ve completed the 29 specified credit hours of their LMDP plan of study.
The result of either option? Being eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to become an RDN.
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I do not live in Alabama. Am I still eligible for this program?
Distance-based students are welcome to apply to the Dietitian Education Program. The curriculum is offered entirely online, and practicum requirements can be completed wherever you are located.
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Am I able to keep my job while enrolled in the DEP track?
Though this Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences track offers coursework entirely online and the option to complete practicums remotely, this is an intensive, full-time graduate degree program. Therefore, students are discouraged from working while enrolled in the Dietitian Education Program or the Dietitian Education Graduate Certificate Program. These programs are accelerated and demand a significant amount of time and energy.
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What is the cost of the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program Track?
For the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid “Paying for College” webpage. Our graduate programs can be found under the “Graduate” tab, within the “Health Professions and Nursing” rows. Please note, charges for practicums are based on residency. Online courses are charged at the same rate for Alabama residents and non-residents.
Detailed fees and charges related to practicums can be found in the DEP Handbook.
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Do you offer any scholarships for students?
There are many scholarship opportunities on the UAB campus. We recommend students register for the Blazer Scholarship Management and Resource Tool (B-SMART) upon admission to our graduate degree programs to stay up to date on new scholarship opportunities.
Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics may also want to explore scholarships available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Students of our MS in Nutrition Sciences programs have been recipients of these in years past.
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Can I get financial aid and loan deferments (federal or private) if I am accepted into the DEP?
Information on financial aid available to students is provided by the UAB Financial Aid Office. You may contact them directly for specific answers to your questions.
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What do dietitians do?
Dietitians are the food and nutrition experts. Check out some interviews from Registered Dietitians in different arenas of nutrition!
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Do my military benefits work for this program?
Yes, our program typically consists of about 33% military or military dependents. We recommend you reach out to Veteran Services at UAB for more information at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to answer all military benefit related questions, once you're accepted into the program.
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As part of a Coordinated Program in Dietetics, students of the MS in Nutrition Sciences – Dietitian Education Program (DEP) and Dietitian Education Certificate (DEP-C) must complete specific dietetics coursework and 1,000 hours of supervised practice experiences to earn their graduate degree and be eligible to take the national examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). The supervised practice experiences are offered during a specific, sequenced plan of study that is built into the graduate degree program within practicum courses (NTR 670–NTR 676). Visit the “Curriculum” tab for more information about how practicum courses fit into the program curriculum.
Supervised practice experiences are an opportunity for students to learn from practicing professionals in areas of medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, food service administration and management, research, and specialty practice settings. In supervised practice experiences, students learn to apply their knowledge of nutrition and dietetics to real-life situations under the guidance of professionals, known as preceptors.
While supervised practice experiences can be located in your local area, they are attended in-person (about 20-32 hours per week), based on the preceptor’s schedule. For this reason, students are encouraged to not work while in the program.
Examples of Preceptors and Supervised Practice Sites
A preceptor is a practicing dietetics professional who provides personal instruction, training, and supervision to students during their supervised practice.
Check out the videos below to see examples of DEP students completing supervised practice:
Planning Supervised Practice Experiences
As part of the MS in Nutrition Sciences – DEP and DEP-C requirements, supervised practice experiences comprise seven courses (NTR 670–NTR 676). These courses have the word practicum in their title. As part of course requirements, students are required to complete a specified number of hours in each course (ranging from 18 to 25 hours/week) to meet both graduate coursework and supervised practice requirements. Admitted students will receive more detailed information regarding hour requirements for each practicum course.
All students are responsible for identifying their own supervised practice experiences. Being able to identify your own preceptors for supervised practice experiences is a wonderful opportunity to personally tailor your professional growth. To begin the process of identifying preceptors, we recommend that you reflect on 1) what you envision yourself doing once you have completed the program requirements and become an RDN, and 2) what practice sites or facilities are available near you. The practice site or facility is an organization or business that provides the opportunity to complete the required supervised practice. Examples of possible supervised practice sites include, but are not limited to, hospitals, university health or wellness services, community feeding programs or food banks, outpatient education centers, fitness and wellness centers, and more.
Upon admission to either the DEP or the DEP-C, students participate in a required three-step orientation that walks them through identifying preceptors and practicum sites. Students are also provided continual support throughout the duration of the program by the dietetics practice coordinator.
What Can You Do to Prepare for Supervised Practice?
Students are not required to have supervised practice preceptors identified prior to admission to the program; however, it’s never too early to start networking.
While we discourage you from reaching out to potential preceptors prior to being admitted into the program and completing the orientation with our dietetics practice coordinator, there are some things you can do in the meantime. Before applying to the DEP, we recommend you join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or your local chapter as a student member (i.e., Birmingham District Dietetic Association). This will enable you to build relationships, network, and shadow or volunteer with local RDNs. You will be requested to provide shadowing hours in your application.
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The Dietitian Education Program is a graduate-level Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
There are two pathways to be eligible to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) through the Dietitian Education Program: The DEP track and the Dietitian Education Certificate (DEP-C) of the Lifestyle Management & Disease Prevention track (LMDP).
Both pathways lead to an MS in Nutrition Sciences degree. All coursework is offered entirely online, and practicums can be completed in the Birmingham area or anywhere in the United States. Both programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). All courses and practicums meet the practicum and course requirements set by ACEND. Successful completion of either program meets the exam requirements set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information on becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics at The University of Alabama at Birmingham are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
Professional Licensure and Certifications
The UAB MS in Nutrition Sciences, Dietitian Education Program track is designed to lead to professional certification through the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure. Please visit the Professional Licensure and Certification General Disclosures webpage for more information on state and territories requirements.
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