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Admission Requirements

Admission to Delaware State University’s Graduate School does not guarantee admission to Coordinated Program in Dietetics, which requires a separate application. Students intending to select the 3 plus 2 BS/MS degree option should set up a conference with the program director as early as possible in their undergraduate studies to communicate interest in the program.  Application to the program for those students needs to occur during the fall of their junior year.  Students who have already acquired a BS should apply directly to the graduate school for admission and then to the program.

Option 1: 3 plus 2 BS/MS Degree 

Students in this option earn two degrees in five years, a bachelor of science degree in Food and Nutritional Science and a Master of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences. Delaware State University students enrolled in the undergraduate in Food and Nutritional Sciences who have a GPA > 3.0 can apply for admission into the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) in their junior year, having the option to graduate in five years of which 3 years are undergraduate studies and the final two years graduate studies.  To gain admission, students must complete their general education and science prerequisites and must meet the GPA requirements, providing evidence of completion of their academic study in communication, mathematics, and the sciences. Those students will graduate with a BS in Food and Nutrition Science after their fourth year at the university, and with a graduate degree in Nutritional Sciences and a concentration in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the end of the fifth year.

Option 2: Graduate Degree for Students with a Bachelor’s Degree

Students who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in any other field and have completed the program prerequisites can apply for admission to Delaware State University’s Graduate School.  Their graduate studies will last two years, including didactic and supervised practice required for the entry-level dietitian. Students who have not completed all prerequisite courses will be required to complete selected undergraduate coursework to fulfill these prior to the start of the MS program.

Requirements for Acceptance to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics

  • An overall GPA of 3.0.
  • A minimum grade of “B” in prerequisite nutrition and food science courses.
  • A minimum average GPA of 2.5 in support science courses with no grade below a C.
  • Evidence of leadership, professionalism, and motivation needed to complete the rigors of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics through a detailed resume.
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Official transcripts of previously attended colleges and universities

Basis for Graduate Student Selection

  • Academic achievement
  • Written and oral expression of interest in the field of nutrition/dietetics [personal statement and interview]
  • References
  • Professional/Work Experience (see below)
  • Demonstrated Leadership

Work and Volunteer Experience

Students who have gained volunteer experience in the food service, wellness, or healthcare industry tend to be better prepared for the supervised practice part of the Coordinated Program.  Their experience will allow them to gain familiarity with the expectations in dietetic-related employment, develop the ability to interact and work with a wide variety of personnel, and integrate the gained experience into their didactic and supervised practice experiences.  Previous work/volunteer experiences are highly valued and are one of the criteria for admission to the CP.