Admission & Academic Requirements
Admission & Academic Requirements
Admission Criteria
To be considered for admission to the 100% online MSND degree program, applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the specific program requirements. Meeting program requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. The Nutrition and Dietetics program admits students on a space-available basis. Current resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation are used in the selection process.
- Undergraduate degree including: lifecycle nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, nutrition assessment, food science, nutrition counseling, community nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and an applied statistics course (junior level or higher). Transcripts can be reviewed for similar courses.
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Personal statement (500–1,000 words) addressing professional goals, past experiences, and contributions expected in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
- Two letters of recommendation/rating forms from former supervisors or faculty.
- Selective admissions process used to select the most qualified students. Applications are submitted through DICAS throughout the year.
Prerequisite Courses
See the A‑State Bulletin for full course descriptions.
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite(s) |
|---|---|---|
| NS 3113 | Lifecycle Nutrition | NS 2203 Basic Human Nutrition |
| NS 3123 | Nutritional Biochemistry | BIO 2221 Anatomy & Physiology Lab II; BIO 2223 Anatomy & Physiology II; CHEM 1052 or CHEM 3003; NS 2203 Basic Human Nutrition |
| NS 3253 | Nutrition Assessment | NS 2203 Basic Human Nutrition |
| NS 3143 | Food Science & Lab | BIO 2101 Microbiology Lab; BIO 2103 Microbiology; CHEM 1041 Chemistry Lab; CHEM 1043 Chemistry |
| NS 4553 | Nutrition Counseling | NS 2203 Basic Human Nutrition; PSY 2013 Introduction to Psychology |
| NS 4453 | Community Nutrition | NS 2203 Basic Human Nutrition; SOC 2213 Introduction to Sociology |
| NS 4653 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | NS 3123 Nutritional Biochemistry; NS 3253 Nutrition Assessment |
Fees & Expenses
Estimated Total Two-Year Professional Program Only (MSND Degree): $18,020
Additional Program Estimates
| Category | Expense | Timing / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Application Fee | $30 | Prior to acceptance |
| Criminal Background Check | $95 | Upon program acceptance |
| Typhon Group Scheduling System | $100 | One-time fee prior to first semester |
| Immunizations | $300 | Prior to Semester 1; includes 1st TB skin test |
| CPR Healthcare Provider Certification | $50 | Semester 1 |
| Scrubs & Slip-resistant Shoes | $150 | Semester 1 |
| Student Name Tag | $10 | Semester 1 |
| Child Maltreatment Check | $10 | Semester 1 |
| Drug Screen | $45 | Required by some clinical facilities |
| Physical Examination | $35 | Student health center; required by some clinical facilities |
| TB Mask Fitting | $25 | Semester 1 |
| Second Year Flu/TB Skin Test | $30 | Year 2 |
| Lab Coat | $30 | White |
| Computer | ~$500 | Prices vary by brand |
| Books | $1,025 | Prices vary |
| Health Insurance | $1,800 | High estimate; costs vary by plan |
| Vehicle Insurance | $1,800 | High estimate; costs vary by plan |
| Transportation/Parking | $550 | Costs vary by supervised practice location |
| Professional Liability Insurance | $25/year | Prices vary |
| Exam Review Course | $400 | End of program |
| Registration Examination | $200 | Following program completion |
Total Additional Program Expenses: $7,210
Total Estimate for Two-Year Program: $25,230
Financial Aid Information
Students may qualify for financial aid or scholarships through Arkansas State University. Consult the Financial Aid & Scholarships page for more details.