Have Questions? We have answers.
Contact UsThe Department of Nutrition offers an Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration within the Nutrition and Dietetics major that allows students to take 9 credits of graduate coursework that can be used to meet the requirements of the Nutrition and Dietetics major and reduce the total number of credits required in the Master of Science in Nutrition.
Both undergraduate and graduate level coursework in nutrition includes the opportunity to conduct and analyze research, enhance critical thinking and effective communication skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities.
Students interested in the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration will apply once they are enrolled as MSU Denver undergraduate students with a declared major in Nutrition and Dietetics.
The Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration will meet the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements for students wanting to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
The CDR now requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. In addition, students must obtain a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The mission of the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration is to prepare diverse students to become nutrition leaders who practice effectively and contribute solutions for human health and healthcare challenges.
Utilize experiential opportunities to prepare students to use evidence-based nutrition practice in their chosen profession
Prepare students to secure advanced nutrition-related employment in healthcare, government, industry, education or not-for-profit programs
Undergraduate courses are typically offered in a 16-week block, however some undergraduate courses are offered in an 8-week block. Undergraduate courses can be delivered in various instructional methods such as: face-to-face, online and hybrid. Please see the Class Schedule for more information on how your courses will be offered.
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
Graduate courses are offered in 8-week blocks and delivered in hybrid format partnering the best of online education and face-to-face learning. Engaging in the classroom with peers and faculty members deepens the learning experience, broadens perspective, and will strengthen your professional network. The online content of the hybrid format enhances the convenience of the program, allowing us to meet your needs as a busy individual.
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
Students in the Accelerated BS to MS program are recommended to apply to the Master of Science General Nutrition Concentration. We make this recommendation because students that graduate with their Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at MSU Denver may receive their DPD Verification Statement at the undergraduate level. If you would like to receive your DPD Verficiation Statement at the graduate level, you will select the Dietetics Concentration.
The Master of Science in Nutrition, General Nutrition Concentration includes twenty-four credit hours of required coursework and 6 credit hours of required electives.
The General Nutrition Concentration is best suited to students who are not interested in pursuing becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), who have already received a DPD verification statement or who have already attained the RDN credential. It will not fulfill the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements, but instead allows for students to choose from a number of elective courses.
If you are unsure of which concentration might be best for you, please connect with us to discuss your options with an advisor.
The Master of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics Concentration includes thirty credit hours of required coursework and will meet the requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement.
The dietetics concentration is best suited to students who are planning to pursue the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential.
Students will have the option to take electives that fit their short and long-term goals. Read more about the DPD program below.
If you are unsure of which concentration might be best for you, please connect with us to discuss your options with an advisor.
The students in this course are provided an advanced and practical understanding of applied research design and evaluation in the field of nutrition. Topics include integrating the process of conducting research with study design principles, statistical analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods, research report development, dissemination of research findings, and research ethics. This course also promotes effectiveness in public speaking and professional written communication.
Content focuses on energy containing macronutrients, fiber and water. Structural properties, digestion, absorption, metabolism and excretion are discussed. Topics include the gut microbiome, physiology of energy balance and exercise, nutrigenomics, disease prevention, and lifecycle considerations. Dietary practices for promoting health and preventing disease are discussed and analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the integration of macronutrient metabolism on molecular, biochemical and physiological processes.
Students in this course focuses on advanced topics in vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. The mechanisms of action, physiological functions, pharmacology and toxicology are discussed along with structure, function, and metabolism of these compounds. Emphasis is placed on the advanced integration of micronutrient and bioactive compound metabolism on molecular, biochemical and physiological processes in solving applied nutrition in health and disease issues. Nutrigenomics and dietary supplements are discussed as appropriate. Case studies on contemporary issues are utilized. The course is not intended to be a first course in micronutrients as the content will both apply and expand on basic micronutrient information.
Students enrolled in the full-time option will:
Students enrolled in the part-time option:
Students can be accepted into the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration for either a Fall or Spring start term.
The application for Spring 2026 is now open!
For Spring start, the deadlines are as follows:
Early application: August 1st
Priority deadline: September 15th. Acceptance after the priority deadline is only granted if space in the program is available. Final application deadline: November 1st.
For Fall 2026, the deadlines are as follows:
Early application deadline: January 1st.
Priority application: March 15th. Acceptance after the priority deadline is only granted if space in the program is available. Final application deadline for Fall is May 1st.
Current matriculating MSU Denver undergraduate students may apply to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration after completing at least 75 credits and during or after the completion of NUT 3150 and NUT 3160.
Students who do not need 9 credits hours to complete their bachelor’s degree will not be admitted to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration and will be encouraged to apply directly to the Master of Science in Nutrition.
Once admitted, a student may enroll in undergraduate and graduate courses provided prerequisites have been completed for the respective courses.
Application fees for prospective, domestic students to apply to Master’s Programs and Graduate Certificates at MSU Denver will be waived through 10/1/2025.
To apply for the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration, the following items must be submitted/completed:
Additionally, to be fully admitted to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration, students must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a “B” or better in NUT 3150 and NUT 3160.
Throughout the application materials, students are encouraged to highlight diversity and/or life experiences that will benefit the profession and their success in a graduate program.
Examples of diversity and/or life experiences include but are not limited to first-generation status, racial-ethnic diversity, working with diverse populations, bilingual skills and/or other unique life experiences that highlight overcoming adversity.
Beyond the completion of NUT 3150 and NUT 3160, full program acceptance also requires the completion of the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or higher in:
Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applicants will be notified via email of their application status. Applicants may be accepted, accepted with conditions, waitlisted, or denied admission.
If a student applies to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration, but does not receive admittance into the program, the student can complete a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Acceptance with requirements may be granted if a student is registered for NUT 3150 and NUT 3160. Students must successfully complete NUT 3150 and NUT 3160 with a grade of B or better for full acceptance to the program. Students with a GPA lower than a 3.0 can be accepted into the program. Students accepted into the program with a GPA lower than a 3.0 must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA during the first semester of the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration.
MSU Denver’s residency requirements for master’s programs requires that at least 30 credit hours be completed at MSU Denver for this program. As such, no transfer credits are allowed within the MSN program.
In general, no credit is given for prior learning experience derived from employment or other life experience.
Students not enrolled for three (3) consecutive semesters, including summer, must reapply to the University. Students requesting readmission must be in good academic standing and must submit their application for readmission to the program in which they have been enrolled.
The steps to become an RDN are:
Students enrolled in the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration are not required to pursue becoming an RDN. Career opportunities for non-RDN nutrition professionals do exist. However, students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss the option of becoming an RDN and how the RDN vs non-RDN pathway could impact their future career. To schedule an advising session, please email [email protected] or call 303-615-0990.
The Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration provides students with a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement, which is required to be eligible for dietetic internships. Students in this program can receive a BS DPD verification statement after graduating from the BSND or may choose to receive the MS DPD verification statement after graduating from the MSN. However, students typically apply for dietetic internships during their last semester of graduate coursework, and start their internship soon after graduation if matched.
Most Dietetic Internship programs cost money to complete. Students are paying for an experiential learning opportunity while enrolled in a Dietetic Internship program. Costs for Dietetic Internships approximately range from $5,000-$50,000, depending on location, completion of a master’s degree along with the internship, etc. Dietetic Internships tied to graduate credit are eligible for financial aid to cover expenses.
Further, it should be noted that most Dietetic Internships are full-time programs which require the student to complete rotations in the field on a full-time, 40 hour a week, basis. Students are not paid for this time.
Dietetic Internships are therefore, unpaid experiences that have a cost. The Department of Nutrition can help you determine strategies for overcoming cost barriers associated with the Dietetic Internship. To schedule an appointment with an advisor to speak more about this, call 303-615-0990 or email [email protected].
Full-time Dietetic Internships typically range from 6-12 months. Part-time Dietetic Internships typically range from 1-2 years in length.
The Department of Nutrition offers many resources for students as they prepare for applying to Dietetic Internships including:
Effective January 1, 2024, the CDR will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a RDN. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Credit Hour | Auraria Bond | Intercollegiate Athletics | Campus Recreation | Tivoli Park Facility | Clean Energy | Student Affairs | Student Technology | Phoenix Center | Metro Bond | Health & Wellness | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $53.40 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $9.14 | $3.68 | $29.20 | $108.60 | $368.18 |
2 | $53.40 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $18.28 | $3.68 | $58.40 | $108.60 | $406.52 |
3 | $53.40 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $27.42 | $3.68 | $87.60 | $108.60 | $444.86 |
4 | $66.60 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $36.56 | $3.68 | $116.80 | $108.60 | $496.40 |
5 | $66.60 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $45.70 | $3.68 | $146.00 | $108.60 | $534.74 |
6 | $66.60 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $54.84 | $3.68 | $175.20 | $108.60 | $608.38 |
7 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $63.98 | $3.68 | $204.40 | $108.60 | $662.92 |
8 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $73.12 | $3.68 | $233.60 | $108.60 | $701.26 |
9 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $82.26 | $3.68 | $262.80 | $108.60 | $739.60 |
10 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $91.40 | $3.68 | $292.00 | $108.60 | $777.94 |
11 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $100.54 | $3.68 | $321.20 | $108.60 | $816.28 |
12 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $109.68 | $3.68 | $350.40 | $108.60 | $879.72 |
13 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $118.82 | $3.68 | $379.60 | $108.60 | $918.06 |
14 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $127.96 | $3.68 | $408.80 | $108.60 | $956.40 |
15 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $137.10 | $3.68 | $438.00 | $108.60 | $994.74 |
16 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $146.24 | $3.68 | $467.20 | $108.60 | $1,033.08 |
17 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $155.38 | $3.68 | $496.40 | $108.60 | $1,071.42 |
18 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $164.52 | $3.68 | $525.60 | $108.60 | $1,109.76 |
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The proposed tuition for academic year 25-26 is $615/credit hour for residents and $750/credit hour for non-residents. Mandatory fee are outlined below.
Credit Hour | Auraria Bond | Intercollegiate Athletics | Campus Recreation | Tivoli Park Facility | Clean Energy | Student Affairs | Student Technology | Phoenix Center | Metro Bond | Health & Wellness | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $53.40 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $9.14 | $3.68 | $29.20 | $108.60 | $368.18 |
2 | $53.40 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $18.28 | $3.68 | $58.40 | $108.60 | $406.52 |
3 | $53.40 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $27.42 | $3.68 | $87.60 | $108.60 | $444.86 |
4 | $66.60 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $36.56 | $3.68 | $116.80 | $108.60 | $496.40 |
5 | $66.60 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $57.50 | $45.70 | $3.68 | $146.00 | $108.60 | $534.74 |
6 | $66.60 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $54.84 | $3.68 | $175.20 | $108.60 | $608.38 |
7 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $63.98 | $3.68 | $204.40 | $108.60 | $662.92 |
8 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $73.12 | $3.68 | $233.60 | $108.60 | $701.26 |
9 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $82.26 | $3.68 | $262.80 | $108.60 | $739.60 |
10 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $91.40 | $3.68 | $292.00 | $108.60 | $777.94 |
11 | $82.80 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $100.54 | $3.68 | $321.20 | $108.60 | $816.28 |
12 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $109.68 | $3.68 | $350.40 | $108.60 | $879.72 |
13 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $118.82 | $3.68 | $379.60 | $108.60 | $918.06 |
14 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $127.96 | $3.68 | $408.80 | $108.60 | $956.40 |
15 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $137.10 | $3.68 | $438.00 | $108.60 | $994.74 |
16 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $146.24 | $3.68 | $467.20 | $108.60 | $1,033.08 |
17 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $155.38 | $3.68 | $496.40 | $108.60 | $1,071.42 |
18 | $107.90 | $50.20 | $39.00 | $6.94 | $10.52 | $92.80 | $164.52 | $3.68 | $525.60 | $108.60 | $1,109.76 |
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Students in the Accelerated BS to MS Concentration that are eligible for financial aid may receive undergraduate financial aid for the 9 graduate credits that are required to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. The only graduate courses that are eligible for financial aid are NUT 5100, NUT 5110, and NUT 5120. Students can only utilize undergraduate financial aid for the 9 graduate credits if those credits count toward their 120 undergraduate credit requirements. After completing the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics requirements, students will no longer qualify for undergraduate financial aid. However, graduate students may still be eligible for graduate aid in the form of unsubsidized loans.
Please note if you make any changes to your enrollment status prior to the census date (which is the last day of each semester that you can drop a full-semester course and have it deleted from your academic record), your entire aid package will be prorated. If you increase or decrease your enrollment status from half- or three-quarter time enrollment prior to the census date, your award package will be prorated to the appropriate enrollment level.
Students that graduate in Fall or Spring with their Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, may need to update their FAFSA to be awarded graduate aid in the following semester. Aid Year at MSU Denver is made up of three semesters Fall, Spring, and Summer. To correct FAFSA, please visit www.studentaid.gov. Once logged in, students will update the Plan and Education Background section. In this section students will update the following Year in College to area 4 = College Grad, Prof or Beyond. Corrections to FAFSA can be made once you are registered for the following semester.
Only undergraduate courses are COF eligible. (COF applies to courses numbered 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 only). Graduate courses are not COF eligible.
For more information about Undergraduate Financial Aid, please visit: Undergraduate Students – MSU Denver
For more information about Graduate Financial Aid, please visit: Graduate Students – MSU Denver
Current matriculating MSU Denver undergraduate students may apply to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration after completing at least 75 credits and during or after the completion of NUT 3150 and NUT 3160.
Once admitted, a student may enroll in undergraduate and graduate courses provided prerequisites have been completed for the respective courses.
Yes, we accept students for fall and spring start dates for the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration.
No, we do not require the GRE for the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration or the Master of Science in Nutrition.
If you don’t have a 3.0 GPA from your undergraduate degree, you can still apply to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration. You may be able to be “admitted with requirements.” Requirements to stay in the program include maintaining a 3.0 GPA during your first semester of graduate courses in the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration.
Students in this program will graduate with their Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics after completing 120 undergraduate credit hours and meeting the undergraduate degree requirements. The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics will be earned upon completion of the required 30 graduate credits.
Want more information?
For more information on the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration, please contact the Department of Nutrition. Click below to send us an email.
Email UsDepartment of Nutrition
Phone:
303-615-0990
Office Location:
West Classroom 254
Office Hours:
8:00am – 5:00pm
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Nutrition
Campus Box 33N
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362