PNUT Program

Graduate Program Prerequisites

Full program acceptance requires prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or higher in:

• Chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Biological chemistry
• Anatomy and physiology (the equivalent of 6 credit hours)
• Upper division human nutrition course with macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism as the focus of the course (minimum of 3 credit hours)
• Medical nutrition therapy (minimum of 3 credits of a combined medical nutrition therapy I and II or equivalent)

MSU Denver Course Information

• CHE 1100 Principles of Chemistry*
• CHE 2100 Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry
• BIO 2310 Anatomy and Physiology I**
• BIO 2320 Anatomy and Physiology II
• NUT 3170 Advanced Human Nutrition
• NUT 4800 Medical Nutrition Therapy

*CHE 1100 Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): MTH 1109 or MTH 1110 or MTH 1111 or MTH 1112 or a College Level Math (CLM) score of greater than or equal to 65 on the Accuplacer Exam or an Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF) score of greater than or equal to 280 on the Accuplacer Exam

**BIO 2310 Prerequisite: BIO 1080 and BIO 1090 or Permission of instructor

MSND Prerequisite Snapshot

Students must have all science prerequisites (chemistry, organic and biological chemistry, anatomy and physiology) completed prior to their entry term in the MSND or Graduate Certificate program. The upper division human nutrition course and medical nutrition therapy course are the only two prerequisites that can be completed after starting the MSND or Graduate Certificate program. The upper division human nutrition course and medical nutrition therapy courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher within the first year of the term of acceptance of the program. 

If you have multiple prerequisites to complete, please contact the Nutrition Department to speak with an advisor about the timeline for completing the necessary prerequisites and the best admission semester based on your specific course needs. You can contact the Department of Nutrition at 303-615-0990.

One of the career options for students pursuing the MSND program is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Option is a required initial step in the education and training of dietetics professionals. In order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), a DPD Verification Statement is required.

The MSND program provides the option to receive a DPD verification statement, which includes the completion of four undergraduate courses. Students completing their core prerequisite courses have the option of concurrently completing their DPD courses.

More information on the DPD courses can be found here.

If you are planning to take undergraduate courses as prerequisites for our graduate program you will select the undergraduate (bachelor’s level) application type.

Once the application has been started, you will select ‘Prerequisites for a Graduate Program’ and then ‘Prerequisites for the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics’. This option is listed under the type of program you are interested in.

Please note, we are not able to accept international students into the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics or the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science.

1. Complete the online Undergraduate Admissions Application
2. Be sure to take advantage of our Free Undergraduate Application
3. Submit Official Transcripts directly from all college and universities attended to Graduate Admissions at [email protected]
   *MSU Denver official transcripts do not need to be requested

The Fall 2023 PNUT application is now open and the deadline to apply is July 31st.  If you have any questions about fall courses, please reach out to Sophia Matuszewicz.

The MSND application is currently open for Spring 2024. The priority application deadline for the MSND program is September 15th.