Admission Criteria

Master of Dietetics Administration

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Lacie M. Peterson

Lacie M. Peterson

Clinical Professor | Director of Master of Dietetics Administration

Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences

Phone: 435-797-4244

Admission Criteria
  • Applicants must complete one of the two following options:
    1. Graduate from an accredited nutrition/dietetics program with a DPD Verification Statement OR be in the process of completing an accredited nutrition/dietetics program and will receive a DPD Verification Statement or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) upon completion.
      • Applicants with a DPD Verification Statement more than 4 years old at the time of application may have to meet additional requirements. Please review our Recency of Education Policy.
    2. Graduate with a minimum of a bachelor's degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree and complete foundational dietetics coursework as determined by the USU MDA. Applicants who do not have a DPD Verification Statement must meet with the program director prior to submitting an application.
  • Applicants must have a DPD GPA/Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or greater.
  • No Ds or Fs in any DPD/Prerequisite courses.
  • Approximately 400 hours of work or volunteer experience (download) is required.
  • Applicants to the USU MDA must secure preceptors and training sites prior to applying.
  • Applicants must have technological competence.
  • Both bachelor’s degree and DPD Verification Statement must be conferred prior to August 1st of the year a student plans to start the MDA.
  • The GRE is not required for admission.


Students who completed their degree outside of the United States are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. More information can be found on the USU School of Graduate Studies website. Please reach out the the USU MDA with questions. 

Program Enrollment

The USU MDA accepts up to 50 students each year.

For more details on training locations and your options as an applicant review the information on the Where Will You Train page.

Tuition & Fees

General Expenses

Expense Amount
2026 - 2027 Total Tuition (37 credits) $19,795 ($535 per credit)
Online Course Fee $600
Graduation Application Fee -- due after all SEL and coursework is completed $15

Additional Expenses During Application & After Acceptance

Expense Amount
DICAS Fee - $50 for the first application and $25 for each additional application  variable
Immunizations -- refer to the Immunization List for details on required and recommended immunizations up to $400

Program and Facility Onboarding

Expense Amount
Compliance Tracker $20
Background Check $40
Drug Screening -- may be required by some facilities $40
Facility Specific Requirements variable
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership $58

Orientation Week Expenses

Expense Amount
Airfare to Utah $300-700
Taxi or airport shuttle $40-50
Rental car--if desired $200-300
Lodging variable
Meals--some meals provided $50-75

Additional expenses are listed here.