The Master of Sciences in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a two-year program designed to prepare students for careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. The program follows the competency-based Future Education Model and provides hands-on learning opportunities through partnerships with Centura Health and access to the Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center's classrooms and teaching kitchen.

Program Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and has a reputation for clinical teaching excellence, with small student-to-preceptor ratios.

The focus of study for the Nutrition and Dietetics program is to prepare graduates for successful careers as competent professionals in their field, using evidence-based research in their practice.

The program provides high-quality education and has a strong track record of meeting its objectives, including:

• an 80% completion rate within 3 years
• a 90% rate of graduates taking the CDR exam within 12 months of program completion
• a one-year pass rate of at least 80% on the CDR exam
• and at least 70% employment in related fields within 12 months of graduation

Our alumni also consistently report high levels of preparedness for entry-level practice. 

Applying to the Program
The application priority deadline is on the third Sunday in January of each year. Priority applicants will be evaluated and notified of admission status by the third Monday in February. Rolling acceptance of applications will occur through May 1st based on availability. Applications may be submitted at any time annually between September 1st through May 1st. If the maximum applicant pool of 12 students is reached, the website will be updated to indicate if applications are still being accepted to be added to a waitlist.

Requirements for New Students:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or above
• Applicants must submit:
• 3 letters of reference
• Official transcripts from all institutions where undergraduate credit was earned
• Personal statement addressing professional goals  
• Resume or CV
• Application fee - $60.00

Requirements for UCCS Graduating Seniors and Alumni:

• Must be about to graduate or graduated from UCCS in the last 4 years
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above, OR, Human Physiology and Nutrition program-specific GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Applicants must submit:
• 2 letters of reference (one from a current program faculty member)
• Official transcripts from all institutions where postsecondary credit was earned
• Personal statement addressing professional goals  
• Resume or CV
• Application fee - $60.00

To earn a Master of Sciences in Nutrition and Dietetics and receive a verification statement, students must meet all academic requirements of the program. While we encourage experiential learning through didactic courses and recommend that students do not take on additional work commitments during the fall and spring semesters, it may be beneficial for students to work during the summer between the first and second years of the program.

For more information on program policies, please visit the UCCS Graduate School's Policies and Procedures page.

Program Prerequisites (Required to Apply):

• Introductory Nutrition Course (see below for more detail)   
• Math – Algebra or Higher 
• Biology 
• Anatomy and Physiology with Labs
• General Chemistry with Lab
• Conditional Admittance (must complete in the first year if not already completed)
• Organic Chemistry with Lab 
• Biochemistry 
• Preferred Not Required (these courses will help strengthen your application but are not required):
  • General Psychology 
  • Microbiology 
  • Statistics
  • Pathophysiology

Additional Guidance 

We do not have a policy or requirement for prerequisites to have been taken within a specific timeframe. For example, some programs may require coursework to have been completed within five years. We will evaluate each application holistically. If have been away from school for a significant period of time (i.e. more than five years) you might consider retaking courses listed under the required section, especially an introductory nutrition course.

Upon completion of all program requirements of the UCCS Integrated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics, students will earn a verification statement resulting in eligibility to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN. Alternative pathways can be explored through the ACEND’s information for students page under “pathways to registration.” Currently, Colorado does not have licensure requirements for RDNs.