Graduate Study

Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences Application and Materials

UW Graduate School Application and Fee Waiver

The application opens annually on September 1.

  • Start your UW Graduate School online application and create a login ID and password.
  • For question 1 on the Program Information page, select “Graduate”
  • For question 2 on the Program Information page select “Nutritional Sciences (MS)”

Retain your login ID and password, as you will need them to:

  • Save a partially completed application
  • Pay the application fee ($85 payable by debit or credit card)
  • Monitor the submission of recommendations and test scores (if applicable)
  • Check the status of your application

Once you have submitted the application and paid the fee, you will be unable to make further changes to your application with the exception of letters of recommendation, contact information and transcript updates.

Application Fee and Fee Waiver

The application fee is $85 USD, payable online by debit or credit card. Qualified applicants can request a fee waiver through the Graduate School following the process outlined on the Graduate School’s website. 

Application Materials

The materials listed below are submitted or reported electronically through the UW Graduate School online application system.

*The GRE is not required.

Statement of Purpose

Please share how a Master of Science degree from the UW Nutritional Sciences Program will help you meet your professional goals. If you are also applying for the GCPD, please include details about how the RD / RDN training fits into your career plans.

Please respond in 500 words or less.

EDI Statement

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values of the Nutritional Sciences Program. The program seeks to create a community of students that is inclusive of underrepresented populations and in service to underserved communities. How would you contribute to these efforts while in the program and as a working professional?

UW School of Public Health EDI Statement

Please respond in 350 words or less.

Background Statement

Please describe how your background has shaped your career goals related to public health practice, clinical nutrition or nutrition research.

Please respond in 250 words or less.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Upload a PDF of your résumé or curriculum vitae. Your submission should include the following information, as applicable:

  • Academic history (including institution, degree, dates of attendance)
  • Professional experience (including employer, position/title, full-time/part-time status, and dates of employment)
  • Volunteer experience (including organization, role, total number of hours, and dates of participation)
  • Nutrition related experience
  • Research experience
  • Involvement with community, and/or diversity-related activities
  • Honors, awards, publications, and presentations

Important: Make sure to clearly indicate whether an experience was paid or volunteer and whether it was full-time, part-time or a set number of hours.

Supplemental Information

Download the Supplemental Information form, fill it out and upload it back into this section of the application.

Prerequisite Information

Download the Prerequisite Information form, fill it out and upload it into this section of the application.

Important: Submit the form as a Word document (please do not convert to a PDF) and refrain from editing the column headers or row labels.

Short Answer Section

Please respond to the following questions:

  1. Degree verification confirmation – applicants will use this question to verify that they are applying for the correct degree/program and will be directed to check their selection for Question 4 on the Program Information Page of their UW Graduate School application.
  2. Are you currently or will you be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) before your intended enrollment?
  3. Is your goal to be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?
  4. How did you first learn about the UW Nutritional Sciences Program?
  5. Please briefly list your areas of interest within nutrition: (approximately 3-4 keywords):

Extenuating Circumstances (Optional)

If there are extenuating circumstances, not addressed in other sections of your application, related to your academic transcript, resume, or other facets of your application that you would like the admissions committee to consider, please describe them and focus on how you managed and resolved the issue(s).

Please limit your response to 200 words.

GCPD Application (Required for GCPD applicants)

Applicants to the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (RDN Training) should download the 2023 GCPD Application for Admission, fill it out and upload it back into this section of the UW Graduate School application. The GCPD does not participate in DICAS.

Recommendations (three)

Enter the names and contact information for three recommenders into the UW Graduate School application. These individuals will be sent an email prompt with instructions for submitting their recommendation online.

Please provide a combination of academic and professional letters of recommendation. The most effective and impactful recommendations come from individuals who know you well and who are able to provide insight into your academic competence, ability to engage in graduate study, potential for future success in the nutrition field, or work experience and professional demeanor. Please refrain from requesting recommendations from family members, clergy, or friends.

Applicants may submit their application prior to their letters of recommendation being submitted.

Instructions to recommenders: Please comment on applicant’s professionalism, communication skills (both verbal and written), and likeliness to succeed in a graduate program; along with other comments you would like the admissions committee to consider. No specific format is required.

Transcripts

In the Report Prior Schools section of the UW Graduate School application, list all schools (colleges, universities and institutions) where you have earned collegiate-level credit.

In the Submit Transcripts section of the application, upload a transcript for each school listed.

Each transcript should be complete, legible and include the following: name of the institution, name of the student, dates of attendance, courses taken, grades/marks/credits earned and be organized by term (quarters, semesters or trimesters).

Please observe the following guidelines:

  • All transcripts should be submitted through the UW Graduate School application. Please do not mail (or email) transcripts to the Nutritional Sciences Program unless specifically directed to do so.
  • The following types of documents can be accepted:
    • Unofficial transcript from the school, often a PDF
    • Official transcript that the applicant scans and uploads into the UW Graduate School application
    • Information from an online system or dashboard (Applicants are welcome to copy/paste into a Word document. As long as it is complete and legible, we are happy to accept it.)
  • Degree audits cannot be accepted in place of a transcript as they are not a comprehensive summary of the coursework a student has attempted.
  • Applicants should not submit transcripts that they have typed out themselves. Any documentation that is submitted should originate from the degree-granting institution.
  • Foreign transcripts: if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation.
  • Certificate coursework: You only need to provide a transcript for certificate coursework if you earned academic credit in the process of earning the certificate. If you earned continuing education units (CEUs), a transcript does not need to be submitted.
  • Study abroad (credits earned at a school outside the U.S.): Please refer to instructions for foreign transcripts.
  • Study abroad (credits earned at a school inside the U.S.): Transcripts that fall into this category should be submitted as any other domestic transcripts.
  • Transcripts from a clearinghouse or automated service may not be accessible when submitted through the UW Graduate School application. As such, it is best to avoid using these services, if possible.
  • In order to submit electronic transcripts, the applicant should have them sent to themselves and then upload them into the UW Graduate School application.

Please note: The NSP admissions committee retains the right to require that official transcripts be submitted for review at any time; during the application process or after admissions decisions have been made.

Applicants admitted to the program who accept the offer of admission will be required to submit official transcripts from all degree granting institutions to the Graduate School.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for Non-Native English Speakers

Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of citizenship) must demonstrate proficiency with the English language. (See UW Memo 8 for Graduate School policies.)

Non-native English speakers will indicate how they will fulfill the requirement in the application. The options are:

Note: If submitting test scores, the NSP Admissions Committee has a strong preference for TOEFL scores. Applicants should note that using Duolingo to fulfill the English Language Proficiency requirements does not qualify for on campus employment as a teaching assistant (TA). Applicants should only submit Duolingo if they have no access to the TOEFL and are strongly encouraged to contact our office prior to applying.

Additional information:

  • If fulfilling the requirement via U.S. Degree or a degree from a specific country in Memo 8, no additional documentation is required as we’ll use transcripts submitted with the application to verify that the requirement has been fulfilled.
  • If using a medium of instruction document, we will accept a notation directly on the transcript or a separate document issued by the institution. If submitting a separate document, include it with your transcripts when they are uploaded into the application.
  • For additional questions or assistance with reporting official test scores, please review the UW Graduate School Admissions FAQ.