James H. Quillen VA Medical Center

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University of Alabama MS Degree in Human Nutrition

Admission Requirements and Fees

Applicants interested in applying to the MS / DI option will need to be admitted to the University of Alabama Graduate School prior to being admitted to the James H Quillen VA Dietetic Internship Program. 

• Successful completion of the dietetic internship and the master's degree allow the student to meet the requirement to sit for the registration examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Students must complete all requirements of the dietetic internship and successfully complete the UA graduate program, or have a graduate degree, to receive a DI verification statement.
• If a student is dismissed or withdraws from graduate school, they will not be allowed to continue in the JHQVAMC dietetic internship. Please review the requirements for completing the degree, found through the link above.

Guidance about distance education components, technology requirements, and technical support for the University of Alabama distance education programs is available here:

Applicant FAQ

Interns do not have to relocate to complete the distance Master of Science in Human Nutrition at the University of Alabama and can work while completing the program. Expenses related to program tuition, fees, and scholarships for the master’s degree is located at:
Paying for Graduate School

And more specific to an online degree at: Frequently Asked Questions About Online Degrees

Requirements for Students who Must Enroll in a Master’s Degree at The University of Alabama prior to the Dietetic Internship

• Applicants who do not have a master’s degree prior to starting the dietetic internship must complete all requirements of the dietetic internship and successfully complete a graduate program to receive a verification statement.
• Applicants who have already completed a graduate degree or started a graduate degree prior to applying to the dietetic internship should contact the director of the internship for options to complete the program as JHQVAMC DI offers a DI only option. 
• Applicants who do not have a master’s degree prior to starting the dietetic internship must be admitted to graduate school to be considered for admission to the Dietetic Internship.
• Please note that The University of Alabama may accept up to 12 transfer credits, if you choose to transfer to UA to complete your graduate degree. Please contact the graduate program director for more information.
• Applicants with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher may apply for admission to graduate school. GRE scores are not required.
• Applicants must submit both their graduate school application to the University of Alabama and their Dietetic Internship application to DICAS.
• A signed FERRPA release will be requested to formally allow the university to share academic admission and progression information with the Dietetic Internship
• If a student is dismissed from graduate school, they will not be allowed to continue in the dietetic internship. Please review the graduate school requirements for completing the degree.

For student requiring enrollment in the master’s degree, please see the curriculum below for a list of the required courses and timeframe for completing both the dietetic internship and the MS in Human Nutrition. These courses were specifically chosen to help prepare your for the internship and to prepare you for advanced level practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Information on How to Apply to Graduate School

To apply to the UA graduate program.

• Complete the application (UA Graduate School Application)
  • MS in Human Nutrition
  • See-Generalist concentration (do NOT select a concentration)
  • Select fall 2025 admission term
  • Application fee
  • Statement of Purpose 
    • You may be able to update your DICAS letter to reflect interest in graduate school, rather than writing an entirely new statement
  • Transcripts from all Colleges/Universities attended
    • Unofficial transcripts are accepted during the application period
    • Official transcripts must be submitted after acceptance
    • Mail official transcripts to Box 870118, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
  • Letters of recommendation
    • When asked for email addresses in the graduate school application, include the email address of 3 individuals who will write a letter of recommendation

Verification Statements will be provided after all requirements of UA and JHQVAMC are complete.

                                                                                                                

* Links above will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

Page Updated: July 2024

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