Admissions
Prerequisites
The following prerequisite undergraduate courses are required. Classes can be taken at a regionally accredited university or community college. Generally, all prerequisite coursework should be no more than seven years old at the time of application. However, each situation is reviewed individually.
One semester or one quarter of each course is required. Prerequisites do not need to be complete at the time of application; however, if accepted to the MS CPD, the classes must be successfully finished with a grade of C or better (C- does not count) by July 31 of the year admitted.
- General Chemistry (including lab)
- Organic Chemistry (including lab)
- Biochemistry
- General Biology (including lab)
- Human Anatomy (including lab)
- Human Physiology (including lab)
- Human Nutrition
- Psychology
- Statistics
Timeline
The MS CPD program starts in the fall semester only. The application deadline is January 10 every year.
- January 10 – Deadline for application submission
- End of January – Applications screened for meeting overall and prerequisite GPA requirements; if GPA requirements are met, applications are sent to the Admissions Committee with the grades blinded
- First two weeks in February – Admissions Committee reads and scores applications using a common rubric
- Mid-February – A select group of applicants are invited to interview for up to 30 seats available in the MS CPD
- End of February – Virtual interviews are conducted by Admissions Committee; interviews are rated using a common point system and the score is added to the overall application score
- Early-March – Offers of admissions sent by email
- March 15 – Confirmations of intent to enroll in the MS CPD due to academic coordinator
How to Apply
Applications for admission are submitted online through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application System (DICAS).
Required materials include:
- WSU Graduate School Application (via DICAS)
- Personal Statement: Please provide a 250- to 500-word statement of purpose that introduces yourself and motivations for entering the fields of dietetics, nutrition, and exercise physiology. Summarize your undergraduate education and how your work, volunteer, and/or life experiences relate to your academic journey and long-term goals. Finally, describe how the WSU MS CPD will help you achieve your professional goals.
- Resume: Applicant resumes are reviewed based on metrics including the amount of time and extent of general work and/or volunteer activities, amount of time and extent of work and/or volunteer activities in dietetics or nutrition-related settings (prefer >6 months of experiences), leadership positions held, and demonstration of scholarly activity and/or awards (e.g., Dean’s List, involvement in research).
- Three Letters of Recommendation: At least 1 (2 are preferred) from a professor or lab section teaching assistant (TA) and 1 or 2 from a work or volunteer supervisor.
- TOEFL, IELTS , MELAB, or Duolingo scores from international applicants (See details about minimum scores and English language proficiency waivers)