Master of Professional Studies inNutritional Sciences

Application Instructions

Steps to Apply

1. 1. Review the admission requirements.

   For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

   Specifically, as an applicant to Penn State's online MPS in Nutritional Sciences program, you must have a bachelor's degree in nutrition, animal sciences, food science, dietetics, or a related biological/biomedical or health sciences discipline. In addition, our prerequisite undergraduate courses for admission include a 3-credit course in each of the following: organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, an introductory nutrition course (equivalent to Penn State's NUTR 251), and one advanced nutrition course (higher level than introductory nutrition). A lab component is not required. Students must obtain a grade of B or better (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in each of these courses to be considered for admission. We encourage you to contact the program for more information about the prerequisites.

   If you are interested in applying to the Experiential Track of the MPS in Nutritional Sciences, please note that there are separate application deadlines and requirements. Also note: to be eligible for the Experiential Track program, your undergraduate graduation conferral date must be before the start of the program, which is the first day of classes. If you have questions or need clarification, please contact the program prior to applying.

   The experiential track is not an option for international students in need of an I-20 or DS-2019 to be issued by Penn State in order to attend. If you are currently in the United States on a visa that permits study, it may be possible for you to participate in the experiential track. Visit Penn State's International Students page or contact [email protected] if you have questions about your current visa status.

2. 2. Experiential Track requirements

   Note: To be eligible for the optional Experiential Track, your undergraduate graduation conferral date must be before the start of the program, which is the first day of classes. If you have questions or need clarification, please contact the program prior to applying.

   In addition to the standard prerequisites and application requirements, these additional items are required if you are interested in the MPS in Nutritional Sciences Experiential Track:

   Work/Volunteer Experience — Applicants must have a total of 500 hours of appropriately documented work or volunteer experience completed within two years of application. Of the 500 hours, 300 hours must be in a nutrition- or dietetics-related field. You will be required to complete the Experiential Track of MPS Program (ExpMPS) - Supplemental Information Form to document your work/volunteer experiences. This form will need to be uploaded with your Graduate School application.

   Supervised Experiential Learning Plan of Study Form (Experiential Track - Distance Location only) — The Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) Plan of Study Form is only required if you are applying to the Distance Location of the Experiential Track. You will use this form to document information about the supervised experiential learning sites that you’ve secured prior to application. The form includes facility information, preceptor contact and credential information, documentation of signed affiliation agreement, start and end dates for the SEL, and total hours to be completed at each SEL site. This form will need to be approved by the program prior to application and then uploaded with your Graduate School application. Please contact the program for other required forms and for guidance on the process of securing your own SEL sites.

   The program supports distance students by providing training and resources on how to successfully secure the supervised experiential learning sites, as needed.

   Prerequisite Course Work — For admission to the Experiential Track of the MPS in Nutritional Sciences, the basic prerequisites from undergraduate studies include:

   • 3 credits in physiology (or 6 credits in anatomy & physiology I and II)
   • 3 credits in biochemistry
   • 3 credits in organic chemistry
   • 3 credits in introductory nutrition (equivalent to or more advanced than NUTR 251 at Penn State)
   • 3 credits in lifecycle nutrition
   • 3 credits in nutrient metabolism (macronutrient and micronutrient)
   • 3 credits in medical nutrition therapy

   Note: If any of these courses were completed more than 10 years prior to application, they may be accepted at the program director's discretion. The exception is that if medical nutrition therapy was taken more than 5 years prior to application, due to recency of content, it may be accepted at the program director’s discretion.

   Students with a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND–accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) will be required to upload their DPD Verification Statement with their Graduate School application. Please contact the program for information about prior learning policy for supervised experiential learning.

3. 3. Gather your required materials.

   Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

   Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

   GPA and Test Scores — Postsecondary (undergraduate), junior/senior (last two years) GPA is required. Applicants should have a minimum grade-point average of 3.00.

   GRE scores are not required for admission to the Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Sciences program.

   If you have any questions about the GRE test, please contact the program.

   English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

   References (3) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three professional references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.

   Program-Specific Questions/Materials

   Questions — You will need to answer questions on the application that indicate whether you are applying to the MPS in Nutritional Sciences with or without the optional Experiential Track. If you are interested in the Experiential Track, you will need to indicate if you are applying for the in-residence location or the distance location. If you are applying for the in-residence location, you may indicate your preference for a geographic location for the in-residence supervised experiential learning semesters.

   Résumé — Upload your résumé (no more than two pages) to the online application.

   Personal Statement — Upload your personal statement to the online application. In your personal statement, state why you have the abilities, experiences, skills, and knowledge to succeed in our program. Your personal statement should also demonstrate why you are a good "fit" for our program and why our program is a good "fit" for you. Please limit your statement to 1,200 words or fewer and use 12-point font, single-spaced format.

   Please address the following questions in your personal statement:

   • What are my professional goals in the field I have chosen? Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing your master's degree.
   • What are my strengths and areas/skills that I want to improve upon and how I have demonstrated those skills?
   • Why am I a good fit for this program?

   Going beyond the details in your résumé, please share your unique story with us in your personal statement. Use the assignment to demonstrate strengths and skills that you are developing through your work/volunteer experiences. If you need writing assistance, many resources are available online to help you compose an effective personal statement.

4. 4. Create a Penn State login account.

   To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

   Create a New Penn State Account

   If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

   Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

5. 5. Read the application instructions.

   You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

   • Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
   • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

   Checking Your Status 
   You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

6. 6. Experiential Track application process and deadlines

   To be considered for the MPS in Nutritional Sciences Experiential Track, you will use Penn State's Graduate School application and the same process used to apply for the MPS in Nutritional Sciences. Applicants will indicate interest in the optional Experiential Track by answering a question on the application and note a preference for geographic location. The Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) will not be used for application to this program.

   The Experiential Track will accept students once per year. The application deadline is February 15. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the class is filled. Applicants will be notified of selection for interviews via email as soon as their complete application has been reviewed. Interviews will take place in-person or via video conferencing.

7. 7. Complete the application.

   Penn State Fox Graduate School Application (link leads to an external website)