Dietetics Major Entry Requirement
Enrollment in the dietetics major is limited. The Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics is a professional degree which requires acceptance into a competitive post-bachelor’s dietetic internship in order to complete the requirements for eligibility to take the registered dietitian examination. At the junior level, the number of students admitted depends on the number of slots available, and the GPA cut-point can vary with the number of applicants each semester. During the past several years, the GPA cut-point for admission has been a steady minimum of 3.0-3.1. In the senior year, the greatest likelihood of acceptance to a post-bachelor's dietetic internship, which is competitive across the USA, occurs with GPAs of 3.4 and up.
Dietetics sophomores are automatically entered into the application pool when they reach junior status (56 credits or more). Juniors and seniors in other majors who wish to be considered for admission to the dietetics major may complete an Application for Admission Review. Admission decisions are made at the end of each semester after grades are posted. The application form is available in the FSHN Career Center, 106 G.M. Trout FSHN Building or may be downloaded via the link. Advising Center phone: (517) 353-3318.
Transfer students at the junior+ level with a cumulative GPA of 3.1+, may be admitted to Dietetics if the equivalents to these prerequisite courses have been completed.
- General Chemistry (CEM 141)
- Chemistry Laboratory I (CEM 161)
- Survey of Organic Chemistry (CEM 143 or 252)
- College Algebra (MTH 103) or College Algebra and Trigonometry (MTH 116)
- Statistical Methods (STT 200) or Statistical Methods (STT 201) or STT GCU
Transfer students with 42-55 transferable credits must have equivalent course work completed in these prerequisite courses in order to choose dietetics as a major preference, and then will be automatically entered into the application pool when they reach junior status.
Transfer students with 42 or more credits who have not completed the above prerequisites may be admitted to MSU; however, they will need to choose a placeholder major for a semester or two, then apply to the dietetics program using the application form as described above. We suggest food science, nutritional sciences, or food industry management for the placeholder major. Students in this category will meet with the dietetics advisor and will receive overrides for one or two semesters, as needed, to make progress in the dietetics major.
Freshman and sophomore-level transfer students with fewer than 42 credits may select dietetics as a major preference, and they will automatically enter the application pool when they reach junior status.
Use the transfer equivalency database at www.transfer.msu.edu to determine how and whether courses transfer. Apply to MSU via the Office of Admissions, https://admissions.msu.edu/.
MSU Students may reserve an appointment with the dietetics advisor via the online Student Success Dashboard. Non-MSU students may email the dietetics advisor (Linda Summers, summer24@msu.edu) or call the phone number above to arrange an appointment.