The UAB MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship accepts a total of 25 interns annually. These positions are distributed among the on- and off-campus programs:

• Birmingham (on-campus): 16 interns
• Huntsville (off-campus): 3 interns
• Mobile (off-campus): 3 interns
• Montgomery (off-campus): 3 interns

The Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship participates in the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS).

Open House

The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship hosted a Virtual Open House in late October. If you were unable to attend and would like to meet (virtually or in-person) with the Program Director to discuss how UAB’s program could align with your interests or career goals, please contact Dr. Keith Pearson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Additionally, if you are a student interested in the program with questions related to admissions or the application process, please email Program Manager, Dr. Marian Carter, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship, you must have:

• Received a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States (or to be completed prior to Fall semester).
• Completed the required curriculum from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and received a Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent Statement.
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• No GRE required

In instances where applicants do not meet the minimum GPA requirements for admission, they may be considered for probationary admission. Students who are competitive for the MS in Nutrition Sciences, Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics within the past three years.

If you do not qualify for the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship, the Department of Nutrition Sciences offers additional MS in Nutrition Sciences tracks that may meet your professional goals.

Application Process

1. Complete the online application Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) portal. The application fee is $50. Detailed information about DICAS application procedure and fees can be found on the DICAS Applicant Help Center.
   • Official Transcripts – Submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended directly to DICAS. In the coursework entry section, applicants must also enter all courses exactly as they appear on their transcripts. When prompted to complete a transcript review by DICAS, please ensure you designate your DPD Professional and DPD Science coursework. These steps must be completed for your GPA to be calculated accurately. A full tutorial is available on the DICAS Applicant Help Center website.
   • Three letters of recommendation are required. Strong letters of recommendation generally come from the following:
     • Current or previous professor
     • Current or previous work supervisor
     • A registered dietitian you’ve interacted with professionally (if not applicable, use another professor or work supervisor)
     Every applicant has unique circumstances. Collectively, your letters of recommendation should describe transferable skills such as leadership, critical thinking, decision making, overcoming adversity and attest to your academic ability to complete a rigorous graduate program. Providing specific examples that illustrate these characteristics make for a strong letter of recommendation. DICAS will send an email link to each of your references from the email address that you provide for each reference as part of your application. Your letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically by your references directly to DICAS.
   • Personal statement: In 750 words or less, provide a personal statement that describes a) your interest in the nutrition and dietetics profession; b) how your experiences and achievements have prepared you to succeed in our graduate program; c) your strengths and areas of improvement; and d) anything else you would like the selection committee to know, if applicable.
2. Applicants may be invited to interview with the Program Director during the application process.
3. Admissions Decision
   • Early Decisions: Applications will be reviewed upon completion.
   • Final Deadline: February 1 - Applicants will receive a decision by March 1.
   • All applicants who receive offers for admission into the program must notify UAB of their decision to accept or decline their offer by March 15.
4. Graduate School Application
   • Students who accept offers for admission into the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship will then apply to the UAB Graduate School (deadline: June 1)
   • Application fee: $50

International Applicants

International students interested in the Clinical Track/Dietetic Internship must have:

• Received a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States (or to be completed prior to Fall semester) or a bachelor’s degree from a foreign university with a transcript evaluation from an accredited company.  (I.E. World Evaluation Services or SpanTran).
• Completed the required curriculum from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and received a Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent Statement.
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• An expected cumulative TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, PTEA (Pearson Test of English Academics) score of 53, Duolingo score of 70, or IELA (International English Language Assessment) score of 176.
• Please contact the Office of International admissions with questions specific to the English proficiency test requirements.
• A Financial Affidavit of Support.