MS/DI: How to Apply

Application Information
For study beginning in September 2026:
- Application opens: August 5, 2025
- Application deadline: October 8, 2025*
*For BU undergraduates only, the pre-select deadline is October 1, 2025.
Review further application process information from ACEND.
Please note:
- Applicants who are applying to the BU MS + Delicious Living Nutrition Dietetic Internship will begin the MS portion of the program January 2026 and the Dietetic Internship portion of the program January 2027.
- Applicants who are applying to the BU MS +Beth Israel Hospital Dietetic or the BU MS + MGH DI partnership program will begin the MS portion of the program September 2026 and the Dietetic Internship portion of the program September 2027.
- Applicants who are applying to the BU MS + Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dietetic Internship partnership program will begin the MS portion of the program in September 2026 and the Dietetic Internship portion of the program in August or October 2027.
- Boston University undergraduate DPD students are eligible to apply pre-select to the BU MS/DI and the BU MS+DI Partnership Programs.
MS/DI Application Requirements
The following items are required to be considered for admission to the program:
Transcripts
Applicants should send all official transcripts directly to DICAS (not Boston University) by following these instructions. Please note DICAS requires a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation for foreign transcripts.
Please note: Your application is not complete and cannot be reviewed transcripts.
If you are admitted to the program and choose to enroll, you will then be asked to submit official copies of all final transcripts prior to final matriculation. All enrolled students must complete a baccalaureate degree at an ACEND-accredited institution prior to matriculation.
Minimum GPA Requirement
To be considered for admission, applicants must attain a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA as calculated by DICAS.
Standardized Test Scores
GRE scores are NOT required to apply. Any GRE scores received by the program will not be considered by the admissions committee.
Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores, unless they have completed a bachelor’s degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. In such cases, official documentation from the institution confirming English as the language of instruction is required.
Our minimum TOEFL score is 100 and our minimum IELTS score is a 7.
TOEFL/IELTS scores should be submitted to DICAS.
Please note: Your application is not complete and cannot be reviewed until TOEFL iBT or IELTS is released to Boston University Graduate Programs via DICAS.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required, preferably from individuals who are familiar with your academic ability (i.e. professors) and/or professional work experience. Submit contact information for your recommenders in the ‘Recommendations’ tab in the ‘Program Materials’ section of your application. If you are currently a DPD student at Boston University, in the Programs of Nutrition, one of your recommendations should be from someone other than a full-time nutrition faculty member. We prefer letters of recommendation to be submitted on institution/company letterhead and be signed by your recommender.
Dietetic Internship Selection
Within the MS/DI application, you will be asked to select a Dietetic Internship track. Review our DI options
online here before applying.
Essays
In lieu of a personal statement, applicants are required to answer the following short-answer essay questions.
- Resilience and flexibility are key skills that contribute to success in graduate school and entry-level careers. Illustrate for us an example from your own academic or personal life demonstrating your ability to adapt to unexpected or challenging situations. Include mention of what you learned about yourself from this experience.
- Please describe your short- and long-term goals following completion of the Boston University Master of Science in Nutrition program.
- Boston University and Sargent College have a strong commitment to diversity, cultural humility, and social justice. With these values in mind, describe for us an experience that empowered you to challenge or broaden your own personal views or beliefs.
- What aspects of BU’s MS/DI program confirmed your decision to apply?
The character limit for each question is 2500.
If you’re applying to one of our BU MS+DI partnership programs, please note
additional questions may be required. Review the relevant
partnership webpage for further details, and u
pload your resume in the ‘Documents’ tab in the ‘Program Materials’ section of your application.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $50 is required. Applicants will be prompted to pay by credit card prior to submitting the online application.
Interview
Once applications are reviewed, select candidates may be asked to participate in a brief virtual interview.
DPD or FDE Verification Statement
MS+DI applicants should be currently working towards their DPD or FDE Verification Statement or already have one. While the DPD or FDE Verification Statement does not need to be submitted when applying, it must be completed and sent to the Dietetic Internship Director prior to the start of the academic program.
Information for Courses Taken During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that many colleges/universities moved to a pass/fail or credit/no credit system of grading for spring semester 2020. Please know that we will accept prerequisite coursework taken and completed during Spring 2020 in which a student received a “pass” or “credit” grade designation. We will not accept coursework for Spring 2020 coursework graded “fail” or “no credit.”
- For more information regarding state licensing requirements, please visit the State Authorization & Distance Education website.
Questions?
Please contact us at sargrad@bu.edu.