DPD/MS/DI Program Prerequisites

For students with an undergraduate degree outside of dietetics, the DPD/MS/DI program combines BU’s ACEND-accredited DPD and MS/DI programs into one seamless pathway. Before entering the program, students must complete foundational coursework in science, math, and writing.

General Guidelines

  • Courses must be from an accredited institution and carry at least 3 credit hours. 
  • Coursework must be completed within 10 years of the program start date. 
  • A minimum grade of C is required. 
  • Online courses are acceptable but subject to approval. 

Important Notes 

  • General chemistry, biology, and statistics coursework should be completed before you apply. 
  • If accepted, the program director will evaluate your prerequisite preparation and assist with selection of remaining requirements. 
  • It may be possible to complete biochemistry and/or microbiology during the graduate program.
  • A summer, zero-credit asynchronous course is available to enrolled students to meet the anatomy prerequisite.
  • AP/IB credit may be acceptable if the course credit appears on your college transcript.

Required Courses and BU Equivalents 

BU equivalents are provided to assist you in evaluating prerequisite coursework. Courses do not need to be completed at BU. 

Prerequisite  Course Content   BU Equivalent(s) 
Biology 1 & 2 (with labs)  Two-course sequence; genetics coverage required  CAS BI 105 or CAS BI 107 & CAS BI 108 
Human Anatomy   Gross structure of major body systems  CAS BI 210
Human Physiology (with lab)  Physiology of major body systems. Systems physiology course may be acceptable.  CAS BI 211 or CAS BI 315 
Genetics  Separate course not required if biology series includes genetic content.  CAS BI 206 
Microbiology (with lab)  Infectious diseases, lab techniques  CAS BI 114 or CAS BI 311
General Chemistry (with lab)  Matter, atoms, bonding, formulas, reactions, solutions, acids/bases, gases, kinetics, equilibrium, radioactivity  CAS CH 101 or CAS CH 171
Organic Chemistry (with lab)  Carbon compounds: structure, stereochemistry, functional groups, reactions—biochemical focus  CAS CH 174 or CAS CH 203 
Biochemistry  Protein/enzyme structure and function, nucleic acids, metabolism, bioenergetics  CAS CH 373
Statistics I  Summaries of uni-and bivariate data, probability, distributions, one-sample inference.   CAS MA 115
Statistics II  Inference for unknown means, proportions and variances, categorical data, experiment design, ANOVA, regression, non-parametric methods  CAS MA 116
Writing  Critical reading and writing across genres  CAS WR 120

Prerequisite Course Approval 

To confirm if your planned or completed coursework meet(s) prerequisite requirements, complete the Equivalency Evaluation Request Form below. Please allow 10 business days for a response. 

Equivalency Evaluation Request Form

Transcript Submission 

This information is designed to help you determine your readiness to apply to the DPD/MS/DI program.  

  • All transcripts, including prerequisites, are submitted through DICAS – the centralized application service for dietetics.  
  • All courses completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES).  
  • Questions? Contact support@dicas.myliaison.com or call 617-612-2855.