Master of Science Dietitian Nutritionist Program at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

A full-time, on-campus Coordinated Program leading to an MS in Nutrition and Dietetics (33-70 credits depending on entry point) with over 1,000 hours of supervised practice, preparing graduates for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) registration exam. Entry points are Accelerated MS (which also awards a BS in Nutrition Science), Post-Baccalaureate and DPD Graduate.

Faculty: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | Department: Sports Medicine and Nutrition | Duration: 3 years (6 terms) for Accelerated MS and Post-Baccalaureate entry points; 2 years (4 terms) for DPD Graduate entry point | Intake: Fall (August); Accelerated MS Oct 5, 2026-Mar 1, 2027; Post-Baccalaureate Sept 15, 2026-Mar 1, 2027; DPD Graduate Sept 15, 2026-Feb 15, 2027 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, food service management, evidence-based professionalism and nutrition research: courses such as nutrient metabolism, nutrition assessment, life cycle nutrition and human physiology, with supervised practice in guaranteed and specialty rotations.

Career pathways

Graduates are eligible to take the national registration exam to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

By entry point. Accelerated MS: minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA 3.0; 60 credits to begin; prerequisites including nutrition, dietetics, chemistry 1 and 2 with labs, biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, composition, algebra, statistics, social science and psychology; no recommendation letter. Post-Baccalaureate: bachelor's degree, minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA 3.0, prerequisites for a letter grade of C or higher (chemistry, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, statistics, nutrition, dietetics), apply through GradCAS ($50 fee), one recommendation letter. DPD Graduate: verification statement from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program, apply through DICAS, one recommendation letter. All applicants: resume showing exposure to dietetics (no minimum hours), personal statement, official transcripts; interview may be required for Post-Baccalaureate and DPD applicants. International applicants whose native language is not English: TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7.5 or Duolingo 140 (on the new TOEFL scale, 5.0 with all sub-scores of 4.0 or higher).

Domestic applicants: USD 32,140 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Graduate Programs list, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 40,686 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Graduate Programs list, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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