Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration

The mission of the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration is to prepare diverse students to become nutrition leaders who practice effectively and contribute solutions for human health and healthcare challenges.

Utilize experiential opportunities to prepare students to use evidence-based nutrition practice in their chosen profession

Prepare students to secure advanced nutrition-related employment in healthcare, government, industry, education or not-for-profit programs

Undergraduate courses are typically offered in a 16-week block, however some undergraduate courses are offered in an 8-week block. Undergraduate courses can be delivered in various instructional methods such as: face-to-face, online and hybrid. Please see the Class Schedule for more information on how your courses will be offered.

Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

• A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count towards the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

Graduate courses are offered in 8-week blocks and delivered in hybrid format partnering the best of online education and face-to-face learning. Engaging in the classroom with peers and faculty members deepens the learning experience, broadens perspective, and will strengthen your professional network. The online content of the hybrid format enhances the convenience of the program, allowing us to meet your needs as a busy individual.

Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

• Students must complete the required coursework while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater. Any student falling below a 3.0 in any given term will be placed on academic probation and be required to develop a remediation plan with an academic advisor for raising the GPA above a 3.0. Students who fail to complete the requirements of their remediation plan may be dismissed from the program.
• No more than two grades of “C”, “C-“, “”C+” will be placed on a remediation plan. Students receiving below “C-” will be placed on a remediation plan and will be required to repeat the course. Students who do not successfully complete a course with a “B-” or better after the second attempt may be dismissed from the program.

The students in this course are provided an advanced and practical understanding of applied research design and evaluation in the field of nutrition. Topics include integrating the process of conducting research with study design principles, statistical analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods, research report development, dissemination of research findings, and research ethics. This course also promotes effectiveness in public speaking and professional written communication.

Content focuses on energy containing macronutrients, fiber and water. Structural properties, digestion, absorption, metabolism and excretion are discussed. Topics include the gut microbiome, physiology of energy balance and exercise, nutrigenomics, disease prevention, and lifecycle considerations. Dietary practices for promoting health and preventing disease are discussed and analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the integration of macronutrient metabolism on molecular, biochemical and physiological processes.

Students in this course focuses on advanced topics in vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. The mechanisms of action, physiological functions, pharmacology and toxicology are discussed along with structure, function, and metabolism of these compounds. Emphasis is placed on the advanced integration of micronutrient and bioactive compound metabolism on molecular, biochemical and physiological processes in solving applied nutrition in health and disease issues. Nutrigenomics and dietary supplements are discussed as appropriate. Case studies on contemporary issues are utilized. The course is not intended to be a first course in micronutrients as the content will both apply and expand on basic micronutrient information.

Students enrolled in the full-time option will:

• complete all required courses within a five (5) year timeframe
• enroll in approximately 12-15 credit hours per semester

Students enrolled in the part-time option:

• must complete the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration degree within eight (8) calendar years from their initial enrollment term into the concentration

Current matriculating MSU Denver undergraduate students may apply to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration after completing at least 75 credits and during or after the completion of NUT 3150 and NUT 3160.

Students who do not need 9 credits hours to complete their bachelor’s degree will not be admitted to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration and will be encouraged to apply directly to the Master of Science in Nutrition.

Once admitted, a student may enroll in undergraduate and graduate courses provided prerequisites have been completed for the respective courses.

Application fees for prospective, domestic students to apply to Master’s Programs and Graduate Certificates at MSU Denver will be waived starting 10/1/2023 through 10/1/2024.

To apply for the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration, the following items must be submitted/completed:

• Completed online Graduate Admission Application
• Personal statement essay (submitted within Graduate Admission Application). The personal statement must be limited to 1000 words and answer only the following questions:
  1. Using your own words, please explain your understanding of the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration and the work it entails.
  2. How do you plan to stay motivated and balance the demands of rigorous graduate coursework? Please provide examples.
  3. What are your short term and long term goals as they relate to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration?
  4. The MS portion of the Accelerated BS to MS program has two concentrations, one for students intending to complete their Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program called the Dietetics Concentration, and the General Nutrition Concentration. Which concentration are you intending to declare once you enter the MS, and how does it fit with your short- and long-term goals?
• Degree Plan showing where you will take your 9 graduate credits as an undergraduate student
• Resume (submitted within Graduate Admission Application)
• Contact information (phone and email) for three (3) professional and/or academic references (submitted within Graduate Admission Application)

Additionally, to be fully admitted to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration, students must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a “B” or better in NUT 3150 and NUT 3160.

Throughout the application materials, students are encouraged to highlight diversity and/or life experiences that will benefit the profession and their success in a graduate program.

Examples of diversity and/or life experiences include but are not limited to first-generation status, racial-ethnic diversity, working with diverse populations, bilingual skills and/or other unique life experiences that highlight overcoming adversity. 

Beyond the completion of NUT 3150 and NUT 3160, full program acceptance also requires the completion of the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or higher in:

• Introductory statistics
• Chemistry with lab
• Organic and biological chemistry with lab (minimum of 1 semester combined)
• Anatomy and physiology (equivalent of 6 credit hours)

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applicants will be notified via email of their application status. Applicants may be accepted, accepted with conditions, waitlisted, or denied admission.

If a student applies to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration, but does not receive admittance into the program, the student can complete a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Acceptance with requirements may be granted if a student is registered for NUT 3150 and NUT 3160. Students must successfully complete NUT 3150 and NUT 3160 with a grade of B or better for full acceptance to the program. Students with a GPA lower than a 3.0 can be accepted into the program. Students accepted into the program with a GPA lower than a 3.0 must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA during the first semester of the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration.

MSU Denver’s residency requirements for master’s programs requires that at least 30 credit hours be completed at MSU Denver for this program. As such, no transfer credits are allowed within the MSN program.

In general, no credit is given for prior learning experience derived from employment or other life experience.

Students not enrolled for three (3) consecutive semesters, including summer, must reapply to the University. Students requesting readmission must be in good academic standing and must submit their application for readmission to the program in which they have been enrolled.

The steps to become an RDN are:

1. Receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (DPD programs are one way to receive a verification statement)
2. Apply for and complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship or Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway program
3. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Please visit the Academy website for more information.

Students enrolled in the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration are not required to pursue becoming an RDN. Career opportunities for non-RDN nutrition professionals do exist. However, students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss the option of becoming an RDN and how the RDN vs non-RDN pathway could impact their future career. To schedule an advising session, please email [email protected] or call 303-615-0990.

The Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration provides students with a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement, which is required to be eligible for dietetic internships. Students in this program can receive a BS DPD verification statement after graduating from the BSND or may choose to receive the MS DPD verification statement after graduating from the MSN. However, students typically apply for dietetic internships during their last semester of graduate coursework, and start their internship soon after graduation if matched.

Most Dietetic Internship programs cost money to complete. Students are paying for an experiential learning opportunity while enrolled in a Dietetic Internship program. Costs for Dietetic Internships approximately range from $5,000-$50,000, depending on location, completion of a master’s degree along with the internship, etc. Dietetic Internships tied to graduate credit are eligible for financial aid to cover expenses.

Further, it should be noted that most Dietetic Internships are full-time programs which require the student to complete rotations in the field on a full-time, 40 hour a week, basis. Students are not paid for this time.

Dietetic Internships are therefore, unpaid experiences that have a cost. The Department of Nutrition can help you determine strategies for overcoming cost barriers associated with the Dietetic Internship. To schedule an appointment with an advisor to speak more about this, call 303-615-0990 or email [email protected].

Full-time Dietetic Internships typically range from 6-12 months. Part-time Dietetic Internships typically range from 1-2 years in length.

The Department of Nutrition offers many resources for students as they prepare for applying to Dietetic Internships including:

• Individual advising sessions with faculty and staff to review internship application materials (application, resume, personal statement, etc.)
• Workshops to discuss the application process

Effective January 1, 2024, the CDR will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a RDN. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Click or tap table to scroll for entire table >

The proposed tuition for academic year 23-24 for the MSND is $550/credit hour for residents and $650/credit hour for non-residents. Please note, there will be an increase in tuition for academic year 24-25. Mandatory fee are outlined below.

Click or tap table to scroll for entire table >

Current matriculating MSU Denver undergraduate students may apply to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration after completing at least 75 credits and during or after the completion of NUT 3150 and NUT 3160.

Once admitted, a student may enroll in undergraduate and graduate courses provided prerequisites have been completed for the respective courses.

Yes, we accept students for fall and spring start dates for the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration.

No, we do not require the GRE for the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration or the Master of Science in Nutrition.

If you don’t have a 3.0 GPA from your undergraduate degree, you can still apply to the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration. You may be able to be “admitted with requirements.” Requirements to stay in the program include maintaining a 3.0 GPA during your first semester of graduate courses in the Accelerated B.S. to M.S. Concentration.

Students in this program will graduate with their Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics after completing 120 undergraduate credit hours and meeting the undergraduate degree requirements. The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics will be earned upon completion of the required 30 graduate credits.