Admission Requirements 

Potential applicants need to meet the following requirements to apply for admission. Please note that fulfilling these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (all disciplines welcome)
• Minimum GPA from bachelor's degree and all prerequisites of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Prerequisite coursework (minimum grade of C or better unless stated otherwise)
  • Human Nutrition (3 credits) – minimum grade of B or better
  • Food Science (3 credits)
  • Biology (3 credits)
  • Chemistry (3 credits)
  • Microbiology (3 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
  • Biochemistry (3 credits)
  • Human Physiology (3 credits)
  • Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
  • Psychology or Sociology (3 credits)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
    • Applicants may present evidence of plans to complete up to 3 prerequisite courses with completion dates prior tthe first day of classes in the MS/PND program.
    • Petitions for prerequisite course requirements must be made with the program director and will be done on an individual basis.
  • Preferred course prerequisite: Medical Terminology (1-3 credit hours or equivalent)
    • Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they have not completed this preferred prerequisite.
    • Admitted students who have not completed a previous medical terminology course will be required to complete a designated self-study equivalent within the first semester of the program.
    • Please see the program director for a current list of the accepted self-study options to fulfill this requirement.
• Virtual Interview: The USC MS/PND program will conduct virtual interviews for qualified applicants as a requirement for each application cycle.
  • 15-20 minutes over a virtual platform at an agreed upon time
  • Applicants will discuss their application essay, previous experience, and potential success in the MS/PND program.

Expand allAdditional Application Requirements

Applicants are required to provide the following within their application:

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Have the official transcripts sent directly from the institution to:
    The Graduate School
    University of South Carolina
    1705 College Street, Suite 552
    Columbia, SC 29208
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Three letters of recommendation (preferred that both professional and academic are included).
• Application Essay - see the application essay rubric and instructions. The essay will be uploaded to the Additional Materials section of the application and will address the following:
  • Applicant’s motivation to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and career goals.
  • Highlights of applicant’s experience/exposure to the professional field of dietetics (ex. shadowing, professional conferences, volunteer and/or paid work)
  • Aspects of the USC MS/PND program that appeal/interest the applicant.
  • What does the applicant hope to gain from the USC MS/PND program (beyond fulfilling the requirements to sit for the RDN exam)?
  • Aspects of the applicant’s character and experience that align with the program mission and that indicate potential to support the program goals and objectives.

Calculate GPA for prerequisite coursework using the “USC MS/PND GPA Calculation Form” and in the Student Handbook. The GPA Calculation Form will be uploaded in the Additional Materials section of the application using the “Other” designation to identify the document.

Additional Application Requirements for International Applicants

• English Language Proficiency:
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for those whose native language is not English
    • a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 80 internet-based, 230 computer-based, or 570 paper-based - or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Course Type 2 exam - minimum overall band score of 6.5.
    • TOEFL: Scores should be submitted electronically using the USC Institutional code: 5818
    • IELTS: Scores should be mailed directly to the USC Graduate School:
      The Graduate School
      University of South Carolina
      1705 College Street, Suite 552
      Columbia, SC 29208
    • This requirement may be waived for applicants that have earned a prior degree from a US institution. (Test scores will be entered intthe DICAS application under the “Standardized Tests” section.)
• Non-US institution transcripts must be verified by World Education Services (WES) or equivalent evaluation service. Please submit a comprehensive course-by-course evaluation (WES ICAP)

Application Fees

The USC Arnold School of Public Health and the MS/PND program do not charge application fees.

Program Completion Requirements

All program students must successfully complete 44-credit hours, a minimum of 1200 supervised experience hours, and achieve all ACEND competencies to graduate from the program with the Master of Science in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics degree and a verification statement indicating eligibility to take the RDN exam. Successful completion includes achieving all ACEND professional competencies by earning a rating or score equivalent to “meets expectations” or above. Students are encouraged to complete these requirements within 150% of the 22-month program timeline (within 33 months).

Distance Education Requirements

Although the MS/PND program is an in-person, on-ground program, students will be required to complete activities and communications online. This means that they are required to acquire and maintain digital devices that allow for access to internet, video, audio, and academic software. For example, students will need a laptop computer equipped with a camera, speakers, and microphone. Students will use digital devices to receive email communications, access Blackboard, engage in virtual meetings and/or classes, etc. Please refer to the USC Division of Information Technology for information on student resources, software, and wireless networking.