Admissions

Applicants must meet Texas Woman’s University graduate admission standards and the admission requirements of the TWU–Houston Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (GPND). Applicants may qualify through one of two academic preparation pathways: completion of an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or completion of the required prerequisite coursework.

Admission requirements are designed to ensure that students enter the competency-based graduate program with the foundational knowledge needed for advanced coursework and supervised experiential learning.

Admission Requirements

• Degree requirement: A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from an international institution must be completed before enrollment. Applicants who are completing their bachelor’s degree may apply during their final year of study.
• Change GPA to ‘GPA Requirement: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in any prior graduate coursework. Applicants with a GPA of 3.25 or higher may be considered for unconditional admission. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0–3.24 may be considered for conditional admission.’
• Academic Preparation Pathways
  • Pathway 1: ACEND-Accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics
    1. Applicants who have completed, or are completing, an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics must submit one of the following:
       1. A DPD Verification Statement; or
       2. A Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree and/or ACEND-Approved Minimum Requirements if DPD requirements are still in progress.
    2. The Verification Statement must document DPD completion within five years of the GPND application deadline. Applicants whose DPD Verification Statement is more than five years old must complete or update Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II, or approved equivalent coursework, before enrollment.
  • Pathway 2: Prerequisite Pathway
    1. Applicants who have not completed an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics must complete 39 semester credit hours of prerequisite coursework.

2. A minimum grade of B (3.0) is required in each prerequisite course.
3. Prerequisite coursework should generally have been completed within five years of the application deadline. Older coursework may be considered individually when an applicant demonstrates current knowledge through relevant professional experience or more recent advanced coursework.
4. All applicants must complete the required prerequisite coursework or receive approval for course equivalency. Final equivalency decisions are made by TWU–Houston GPND faculty following review of official transcripts and, when requested, course descriptions or syllabi.
5. Prior Assessed Learning may be used to evaluate eligible prior learning after admission but does not replace the foundational coursework required for admission.

• Prior Degree and Assessed Learning
  • Applicants who have previously completed a master’s degree in nutrition or a closely related field must meet all GPND admission requirements, including completion of the required prerequisite coursework.
  • In limited circumstances, an applicant with a program director-approved nutrition-related master’s degree may be permitted to complete the GPND as a non-degree-seeking student rather than pursue a second master’s degree. Applicants considered for this pathway must meet all prerequisite requirements and complete all remaining GPND coursework, supervised experiential learning and competency requirements necessary to receive a Verification Statement. Approval is determined individually following review of the applicant’s graduate degree, transcripts and prior academic preparation.
  • Prior Assessed Learning (PAL)
    • Prior Assessed Learning allows GPND faculty to determine whether previously completed graduate-level coursework demonstrates achievement of selected didactic competencies.
    • PAL:
      1. Applies only to competencies associated with eligible didactic coursework
      2. Is evaluated individually through review of prior coursework and supporting documentation
      3. Does not replace prerequisite coursework required for admission
      4. Does not waive supervised experiential learning requirements
      5. Does not waive any remaining program or graduate degree requirements required for issuance of the Verification Statement.
    • Applicants interested in PAL should follow the program’s established review process and submit all requested documentation by the published deadline. Approval of prior learning is not guaranteed.
  • Applications
    • Application to the TWU–Houston GPND and application to the TWU Graduate School are separate processes. Applicants should complete the GPND application first and generally wait to apply to the Graduate School until they have received an offer of admission to the GPND. Applicants may apply to the Graduate School earlier if they prefer.
    • Applicants should also review the ACEND Traffic Rules and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethics.
    • Step 1: Apply to the GPND through DICAS
    • Application opens: August 5, 2026

• • • DICAS application fee
      • $50 for the first application submitted
      • $25 for each additional application
      • GPND Application Requirements

Resume

Submit a one- to two-page resume highlighting relevant academic, professional, leadership, service and volunteer experience.

Personal Statement

Submit one cohesive personal statement of no more than 1,000 words. The statement should be written in a professional, reflective tone and should use specific examples rather than repeat information from the resume.

Applicants should address:

• Motivation for pursuing a career in dietetics and interest in the TWU–Houston GPND
• Experiences that have prepared them for graduate-level, competency-based education and supervised experiential learning
• Development in communication, teamwork, resilience and other professional skills
• Strengths, areas for growth and approaches to learning from challenges
• Short- and long-term professional goals and how the GPND will support those goals

Additional Application Information

• The GPND does not require a formal interview.
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.
  • Step 2: Apply to the TWU Graduate School
  • Applicants who accept an offer of admission to the GPND must also submit a separate application to the TWU Graduate School.
  • Graduate School application deadline: April 1
    Application fee: $50
  • Official transcripts and all required admission materials must be submitted to the TWU Office of Admissions according to Graduate School instructions.
• Selection Process
  • Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee composed of Nutrition and Food Sciences faculty, preceptors, alumni and current students. The program seeks applicants who demonstrate strong academic preparation, leadership and service, professional maturity and readiness for graduate-level, competency-based education and supervised experiential learning.
  • Applicants are evaluated holistically using the following criteria:

• • The program admits a limited cohort each year to support sufficient supervised experiential learning capacity, individualized faculty mentorship and consistent evaluation of competency development. The maximum cohort size is determined by available faculty and supervised experiential learning resources.
  • Applications submitted by the published early acceptance and standard-cycle deadlines will be reviewed according to the corresponding notification schedule. If space remains after the standard cycle, DICAS may reopen for rolling applications. Rolling applications will be reviewed in the order received until the cohort is filled or the application period closes.
  • Applicants are encouraged to apply early because later applicants may have fewer opportunities to qualify for university scholarships and other forms of financial support.
  •  Equal Opportunity
  • Texas Woman’s University is committed to equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination in accordance with applicable university policies and federal and state law.