Admission Requirements

Our program has received ACEND accreditation but is still waiting on final university approval, which is expected by July 1, 2024. Until then, we are not able to accept applications. In the meantime, if you are interested in applying by the September 1, 2024 deadline, read about our admissions process and application requirements and begin preparing now! 

Successful GP Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements: 

1. Hold a Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) as conferred by a U.S. institutional accredited college or university

Note: We do not require applicants to have an undergraduate degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field.

For applicants with degrees earned outside the United States: Evidence of English language proficiency via a TOEFL iBT test, with the following minimum scores:

  • Overall minimum TOEFL score: 90
  • TOEFL reading score: 22+
  • TOEFL listening score: 22+
  • TOEFL speaking score: 25+
  • TOEFL writing score: 22+

2. Minimum 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA out of a 4.0 scale

3. Prerequisite coursework with "C" or better

The following courses are required without exception. CSULB course numbers are provided for reference: 

  • College algebra or higher (MATH 113)
  • Statistics (PSY 110/STAT 118)
  • General chemistry + lab (CHEM 111A)
  • Organic chemistry + lab (CHEM 227)Microbiology (BIOL 201)
  • Anatomy + lab (BIOL 208)
  • Physiology + lab (BIOL 207)
  • Psychology (PSY 100 or SOC 335) 
  • Introductory nutrition (NUTR 132)
  • Fundamentals of food preparation (HM 176)
  • Food science (FSCI 232)*
  • Life course nutrition (NUTR 331)* 
  • Advanced Nutrition (macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism) or equivalent. This is usually offered as an upper-division course (NUTR 436A/B) **

Applicants with a DPD Verification Statement from an ACEND-Accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics must review the checklist and take any required courses (e.g., anatomy) if their program did not include them. 

 

Preview image of the GP Prerequiste Checklist
The GP Admissions Prereq Course Checklist offers complete details about the courses and places to take them

Not sure if your courses meet the requirements? Please review the checklist and the FAQs below before requesting a review of your courses. International degree holders may find additional info here.

4. Relevant volunteer or work experience in the field of nutrition. 

Work experience is preferred but not required. Examples of relevant experiences include clinical, food service (restaurant, hospital/residential food service), and community nutrition. 

5. Timely completion of the full Application Process, which includes:

  • Submitting complete applications to CalStateApply and DICAS by September 1 
  • Statement of Purpose (CalStateApply & DICAS)
  • Demonstration of writing proficiency via a writing sample or a GRE analytical writing score of 4.0 or above 
  • Providing 3 references (2 professors, 1 professional/work/volunteer) who will submit a letter of recommendation by the deadline (CalStateApply & DICAS)
  • Submission of official transcripts (CalStateApply & DICAS)
  • Resume (CalStateApply & DICAS)
  • Answering short-answer questions (DICAS)
  • Completing a Zoom Interview

Be sure to read the complete details on these requirements. 

6. Readiness to comply with supervised learning facility requirements, which include:

  • Access to a vehicle and consistent transportation (no exceptions)
  • Evidence of a clear criminal background
  • Clear drug test and willingness to be drug tested 
  • Proof of health insurance (can be obtained through CSULB)
  • Proof of all required immunizations through titers and willingness to maintain current vaccination as needed by facility (e.g., flu shot, vaccine boosters, etc). These are required by facilities and non-negotiable for program applicants. 
  • Basic Life Support certification (American Heart Association approved)
  • Professional student liability insurance (usually $35-$50/year)

FAQs About Admission Requirements 

Follow these steps:

  1. Download the 

     and read the course descriptions. This is the tool we use to determine if your courses will be accepted by the GP. We also provide links to some examples of other similar courses elsewhere. 

  2. If you took classes at a California community college, you can easily see if your course meets CSULB requirements by using www.assist.org and searching for “CSU Transferable Courses.”
  3. When in doubt, expect that we will always require an equivalent course versus waiving a course that may only partially meet the requirements. This is to ensure all GP students start with the same knowledge so you can succeed.
  4. Still unsure? Email GP Assistant Director Dr. Dustin Moore with the following:
    1. List of the exact courses you are unsure about 
    2. The original syllabus (not just course description) for the course(s) in question 

Are you an international/foreign degree holder? Check out our Tips for Applicants with International Degrees 

Yes – non-enrolled students may take up to 24 units of coursework through Open University at CSULB. Open University allows anyone to enroll in a course without being admitted.  Please review their website for details. 

Some disclaimers:

  • If an Open University course requires prerequisite courses, you will have to provide evidence.
  • You must work with Open University and/or the individual instructor of the course, not the GP Director or other nutrition faculty, to determine eligibility and course availability.
  • Course availability is not guaranteed and is based on demand.
  • You are not guaranteed acceptance into the GP if you take your courses at CSULB.

No. You just need to ensure your prerequisite courses address the required content outlined in the GP Prerequisite Course Checklist.

One benefit of taking courses with us is that you can get to know other students and our faculty before applying, which may be helpful for going through the admissions process and receiving letters of recommendation if needed. However, it is not necessary. 

No. As long as students meet the admission requirements, they are eligible to apply to the GP.

No. While completing a DPD is certainly an asset, we do not use a DPD Verification Statement as our standard for admissions, as not all DPDs may require all of our prerequisite coursework (e.g. anatomy, psychology).

We encourage applicants to focus on the admissions requirements to ensure they are eligible to apply. 

 

No. However, we prefer that applicants have taken at least 1 college-level nutrition course in the past 5 years. This could be any of the three required options (Introduction, Life Cycle, or Metabolism).

Taking coursework again may be less important if you have been working actively in the field of nutrition and are able to demonstrate in your application that you are currently using/engaging in nutrition skills professionally.

No. As long as you have completed all required coursework by the start date (mid-January) of the GP, you may apply.