Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program

The Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program has the following requirements for consideration for admission to the program:

• Meets all admission requirements general to the UAMS Graduate School
• A bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution (or equivalent foreign degree as evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services)
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.85 on a 4.0 scale
• Successful completion of specific coursework
• A statement of purpose
• A personal resume or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation
• For applicants to the fast track program only — a dietetic internship verification statement or letter from a current dietetic internship program director

Applicants to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program must have earned or be in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution (or equivalent foreign degree as evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services).

The program has no required undergraduate major, though it is designed primarily for students coming from a food and nutrition background. However, UAMS recognizes that the study and practice of clinical nutritionists are enriched by the presence of students from a variety of academic backgrounds. However, a demonstrated amount of academic rigor is required to ensure that applicants can succeed with the scholastic demands of the clinical nutrition curriculum.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program, applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.85 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.

While the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program is designed primarily for students coming from a food and nutrition or dietetics background, other health professionals and science graduates may qualify for the program.

However, three basic prerequisite courses or their equivalents are essential for admission and include:

• Nutrition
• Biochemistry in nutrition science or physiological chemistry
• Medical nutrition therapy (or diet in disease)

Actual course titles may vary among institutions. If in doubt about the suitability of the prerequisite courses, please contact the UAMS Graduate School Admissions Office.

All listed courses must have been completed at an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution or be recognized on the granting institution’s official transcript. Courses must also fulfill all UAMS Graduate School requirements regarding acceptance of transfer credit.

A final grade of C or better is required in each of the prerequisite courses.

Admission to the program for applicants who have not completed all prerequisite courses will be conditional pending the completion of all prerequisite courses before enrollment.

Documentation of successful completion is required by the date of registration for the first semester.

Fulfillment of the prerequisite courses for the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program does not guarantee admission.

Credit By Examination

The Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program will accept Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Examination Program credits awarded by other institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institutions to fulfill the required coursework. To be considered for credit transfer, the official transcript from the awarding institution must reflect the AP, IB or CLEP credits.

Applicants to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program will be required to submit a statement of purpose, limited to 1,000 words, addressing the following points:

• Why the applicant is interested in the program
• Relevant experiences that have prepared the applicant for this program
• The applicant’s short-term goals
• The applicant’s long-term goals

Applicants to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program will be required to submit a personal resume or curriculum vitae.

Applicants to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program will be required to submit three letters of recommendation.

Preferably, two references should be from undergraduate or post-baccalaureate professors and one from a current or former employer.

Applicants to the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program’s fast track program must submit a dietetic internship verification statement.

However, if the applicant is currently enrolled in a non-degree granting dietetic internship program, a letter from the dietetic internship program director confirming the student’s enrollment is required instead.