Program Details


Minimum Credit Hours
30

Designation
For students in F-1 immigration status, the MS in Nutrition (CIP Code 30.1901) is a STEM Designated degree for the purpose of applying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.


Application Cycle
Fall


Application Deadline
Priority Deadline: December 10, 2024
Final Deadline: January 14, 2025


Expected Duration
2 Years


Learning Environment
Residential


Admissions Information



Who Should Apply
Applicants must hold an appropriate baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university, or its international equivalent with a 3.0 GPA or better. Applicants must secure a faculty match aligned with their research interests prior to being admitted. Faculty research interests can be found here. Requirements for becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD) are NOT met by this program; click here for information on the MPH-RD program.

Prior Degree Required
Applicants must hold an appropriate baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university, or its international equivalent with a 3.0 GPA or better.

Required Prerequisites
All prerequisites must be completed by the first day of class if offered admission.

  • Anatomy/Physiology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Human Nutrition

Undergraduate G.P.A.
An average grade of B (cumulative GPA 3.0) or better is required.

Letters of Recommendation Required
3 (academic and/or professional)

Interviews
Not required, but it is imperative to identify a faculty match for admission. This requires contact with faculty members who share your research interests.

Visit Opportunities
Learn about opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and current students virtually and in person.


How To Apply



I. Complete UNC Graduate School application
The Graduate School Application is a common application system for UNC Chapel Hill programs.

More Information

1. Application Fee

The UNC Graduate School application fee is $95. Information on UNC Graduate School Fee Waiver Requests

2. Faculty Interest(s)/mentor(s)

You are asked to list faculty with whom you’d like to work; it’s important to reach out to faculty members who share your research interests early in the cycle to establish connections and seek a match. A mutual faculty match is required before admission will take place. It is recommended that all prospective nutrition doctoral students complete an information request to assist with matching.

3. Applicant information,  including North Carolina residency information.

4. Area(s) of interest

Select up to three (3) areas of interest from the dropdown.

5. Educational history

Please upload a copy of your most recent transcript(s), including your current term grades, if applicable. (If grades are not yet available, send them to the UNC Gillings program contact as soon as they become available.) Be sure the transcript reflects the name of the institution and any degrees you received.

We advise that you order two copies of your transcript(s) to be sent to you. If you are admitted and choose to enroll, UNC will require official transcript(s) showing degree(s) awarded.

6. Community standards

You will be asked about honor code, crime, academic sanction, military discharge, etc.

7. Upload your personal statement.

The personal statement should address the following issues (limit to 2-3 pages with no specific formatting).

  1. Why have you chosen our master’s of science program in nutrition?
  2. What are your career goals?  That is, what kind of work inspires you including the types of activities you hope to undertake in your career?
  3. What laboratory experience have you had?  Please describe in detail.

8. Upload your resume or CV.

9. Enter names of recommenders. UNC will then send them an email with instructions for submitting a letter on your behalf.

3 Letters of Recommendations are required.

10. Report test scores, if applicable.

GRE scores are neither required nor typically recommended for applicants.

International applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS standardized test scores. Code 5816 routes to UNC. TOEFL/IELTS scores must be no more than two years old.

11. Document submission (check legibility of uploads)

Applicants should preview all documents uploaded into the application system to ensure that all documents are legible for committee review.

12. Track your progress.

You will be able to track status through the Graduate School application. Once a decision is made, you will receive an email instructing login to the Graduate School application portal to see the decision letter.


II. Application Review Process

More Information

1. Department reviews application and recommends a decision.

Time-to-decision varies. Departments make recommendations to the UNC Graduate School for admitting and denying applicants. Final decisions are rendered by the UNC Graduate School.

2. UNC Graduate School reviews department recommendation and renders a final decision:

The UNC Graduate School reviews all admissions recommendations made by programs. Once final decisions have been made, the UNC Graduate School will send the applicant an email instructing them to login to their application portal to see the decision letter.


III. Costs and Funding

More Information

When estimating costs, please visit the UNC Cashier’s Office and use the Graduate and Professional Program Tuition and Fees link. Please note that the tuition and fees of graduate programs at Gillings vary from other graduate programs at UNC.

Gillings departments and concentrations consider both domestic and international applicants for funding. Please see below for helpful tips and resources:

1. Applicants will be reviewed for eligibility for UNC Graduate School scholarships and fellowships. Departments and concentrations will decide which applicants to nominate. No additional application is required.

2. Please refer to our School’s Costs and Funding page and/or UNC-Chapel Hill’s Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) website.

3. Apply for FEDERAL financial aid by March 1 (please verify this date via FAFSA). If you have been admitted and completed the FAFSA form by their deadline, the UNC Office of Scholarship and Student Aid will create a financial aid package for you.

4. Funding is rare for students in the MS Nutrition program.

5. Students positions at Gillings are posted here. The UNC Graduate School also provides resources for funding, including a listserv for incoming and current students, here.


During and After The Program

For more information on our curriculum and graduate school/career outcomes, please see our Student Handbook.

 

Questions?


Gillings Admissions
sph-admissions@unc.edu

U’Ronda Higgs
Academic Coordinator
uhiggs@email.unc.edu

Ian Carroll and Ximena Bustamante Marin
Directors of Graduate Admissions
ian_carroll@med.unc.edu  |  xmbmarin@med.unc.edu


RELATED PAGES
CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Nutrition
Our offices are located on the second floor of Rosenau Hall.
Faculty and Staff
Academic Coordinators
MPH@UNC (MPH Online) Only:
Program Coordinator, John Sugg

135 Dauer Drive
245 Rosenau Hall, CB # 7461
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7461
(919) 966-7218