Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Exercise Physiology

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Program Link:
https://medicine.wsu.edu/nutrition-exercise-physiology/mscpd/
Program Handbook:
https://medicine.wsu.edu/nutrition-exercise-physiology/mscpd/graduate-student-handbook/
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
5
Graduate Students in Program:
60
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall deadline January 10

Campus:

  • Spokane

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

Degree Description:

The non-thesis Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Exercise Physiology (MS CPD), is a coordinated program (didactic coursework and clinical rotations are conducted simultaneously) in dietetics with an exercise emphasis. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

Successful completion of this MS program prepares students to test for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. Since the emphasis area of the graduate dietetics program is exercise, some students may be required to take undergraduate nutrition and/or exercise physiology courses that prepares them to be dual credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). A minimum of 1,000 supervised practice hours in various healthcare and community settings is required as a part of the master’s program.

Admission Requirements:

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

  • BS in Human Nutrition/Dietetics, or
  • BS in Exercise Science/Physiology, or
  • BS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology

 

MS CPD 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
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • General Biology
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Human Nutrition
  • Psychology
  • Statistics

 

REQUIRED FOUNDATIONAL COURSES

In addition to the Prerequisites listed above, at least one set of the following foundational courses are required to be completed prior to program admission. These are the major-level courses found in bachelor’s degrees in either Nutrition/Dietetics or Exercise Science/Physiology. Foundational courses completed at the master’s degree level are also accepted.

Nutrition Foundational Courses

  • Food Preparation for Health Sciences
  • Macronutrient Metabolism
  • Micronutrient Metabolism
  • Nutritional Assessment and Lifestyle Counseling
  • Pathophysiology
  • Management and Facilities
  • Nutrition Throughout the Lifecycle

 

Exercise Foundational Courses

  • Strength Training and Conditioning: Theory and Application
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Exercise Testing and Prescription
  • Exercise Practicum (including a minimum of 90 hours working with clients)

 

ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

  • 3.0 overall GPA in undergraduate degree
  • 3.0 average in MS CPD prerequisite courses
  • No individual prerequisite course with less than a C grade (C- is not accepted)

 

APPLICATION MATERIALS

  1. Apply through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application System (DICAS)
  2. Statement of Purpose
    • Suggested Guidance: 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 Coordinated Program in Dietetics will help you achieve your professional goals.
  3. Resume
    • The WSU Coordinated Program in Dietetics reviews applicant resumes based on the following metrics: 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 scholarship activity and/or awards (e.g., involvement in research, Dean’s List).
  4. 3 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
  5. TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, or Duolingo language proficiency exam
    • Required for international applicants only

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required for admission to the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

 

 

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