Before You Apply

Take the first step in pursuing a career in nutrition by attending one of our monthly information sessions. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the profession, our program and the admissions process. It’s your chance to ask questions about prerequisites, your application and evaluation criteria.

Applications are due each year on January 15. We only admit for the fall semester.

Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! Start early and give yourself plenty of time to collect all your materials.

• Bachelor’s degree in any field of study
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• GRE General Test 
• Prerequisite courses (listed below)

International Students: If English isn’t your native language, you might need to take a minimum English proficiency test. Check out the International Requirements to see if this applies to you.

Prerequisites vary between the coordinated and traditional programs. No survey courses are acceptable as science prerequisites.

You must complete prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better before enrolling in the program.

• Nutrition Science I – HN308 or equivalent
• Nutrition Science II – HN309 or equivalent

You must complete prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better before enrolling in the program. At least three of the science prerequisites must be completed at the time of application.

• English composition I and II
• Speech: One course with emphasis on public speaking
• Mathematics: One course in pre-calculus or higher
• Psychology: One course in introductory psychology or human behavior
• Sociology: One course in introduction to sociology
• Foods: One course with laboratory
• Nutrition: One general course

All science courses must be taken within five years of starting the program.

• General biology: One cell biology course with laboratory
• Inorganic chemistry: Two courses with laboratory
• Organic chemistry: One course, no lab required
• Biochemistry: One course, no lab required
• Anatomy and physiology: Two courses with labs required for each

On-campus biochemistry courses can be hard to find, so we do accept online courses. The following courses are acceptable:

• Illinois Institute of Technology: Biology 401
• Iowa State University: BBMB 404 Biochemistry
• Oregon State University: BB 350
• University of Minnesota: BIOC 3021
• University of New England: Medical Biochemistry

When you apply, you’ll need to a number of documents with your applications, like letters of recommendation and transcripts. Get started on those now! Refer to the Applying page for all the specifics.

The application process is paperless. Please don’t mail any materials unless told to do so. Documents that you will upload must be in PDF format, no larger than 5 MB in size. “Portfolio” PDFs and secured PDFs which require a password are not compatible with our system.

International Students: You might have a few extra things you need to provide. Read through the International Requirements page to make sure you have everything you need.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all applicants. Scores should be sent directly from Education Testing Service to UIC. If you have taken the GRE within the past five years, you must request that scores be sent from ETS to UIC. Our ETS Institutional Code is 1851.

International Students: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores must be submitted to UIC directly from ETS. Paper score reports will not be accepted.

See what funding options are available to you. The Graduate College has some great information on financial resources and funding opportunities.