Admissions
Applicants must meet Texas Woman’s University graduate admission standards and the admission requirements of the 探花楼–Houston Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (GPND). Applicants may qualify through one of two academic preparation pathways: completion of an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or completion of the required prerequisite coursework.
Admission requirements are designed to ensure that students enter the competency-based graduate program with the foundational knowledge needed for advanced coursework and supervised experiential learning.
Admission Requirements
- Degree requirement: A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from an international institution must be completed before enrollment. Applicants who are completing their bachelor’s degree may apply during their final year of study.
- GPA Requirement: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in any prior graduate coursework. Applicants with a GPA of 3.25 or higher may be considered for unconditional admission. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0–3.24 may be considered for conditional admission.
Academic Preparation Pathways
Pathway 1: ACEND-Accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics
Applicants who have completed, or are completing, an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics must submit one of the following:
- A DPD Verification Statement; or
- A Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree and/or ACEND-Approved Minimum Requirements if DPD requirements are still in progress.
The Verification Statement must document DPD completion within five years of the GPND application deadline. Applicants whose DPD Verification Statement is more than five years old must complete or update Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II, or approved equivalent coursework, before enrollment.
Pathway 2: Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants who have not completed an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics must complete 39 semester credit hours of prerequisite coursework.
swipe to see the full table⇨
| Category | Required Coursework | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Sciences | Statistics | 3 |
| General Chemistry | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry | 3 | |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 6 | |
| Nutrition Coursework | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| Biochemistry and Advanced Nutrition or Metabolism |
6 | |
| Nutrition Across the Life Cycle | 3 | |
|
Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II |
6 | |
| Food and Foodservice Coursework | Coursework addressing food systems, foodservice management, food preparation principles, food science or comparable approved content | 6 |
| Total Prerequisite Coursework | 39 | |
| Additional Requirement | ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification earned within three years of the application deadline |
Prerequisite Coursework Review
Applicants are encouraged to use the published prerequisite requirements to plan any additional coursework needed before applying. Courses completed at other institutions may be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements when appropriate; however, individual courses are not pre-approved prior to application. Coursework is reviewed against the GPND prerequisite requirements as part of the formal admissions process.
Applicants with coursework completed outside the United States or its territories must obtain the required course-by-course foreign credential evaluation. GPND faculty do not independently determine U.S. degree or course equivalency.
Prerequisite Policies
- A minimum grade of B (3.0) is required in each prerequisite course.
- Prerequisite coursework should generally have been completed within five years of the application deadline. Older coursework may be considered individually when an applicant demonstrates current knowledge through relevant professional experience or more recent advanced coursework.
- All applicants must complete the required prerequisite coursework or receive approval for course equivalency. Final equivalency decisions are made by 探花楼–Houston GPND faculty following review of official transcripts and, when requested, course descriptions or syllabi.
- Prior Assessed Learning may be used to evaluate eligible prior learning after admission but does not replace the foundational coursework required for admission.
Prior Degree and Assessed Learning
Prior Degree
Applicants who have previously completed a master’s degree in nutrition or a closely related field must still meet all GPND admission requirements, including completion of required prerequisite coursework.
In limited circumstances, an applicant with a program director-approved nutrition-related master’s degree may be permitted to complete the GPND as a non-degree-seeking student rather than pursue a second master’s degree. Applicants considered for this pathway must meet all prerequisite requirements and complete all remaining GPND coursework, supervised experiential learning and competency requirements necessary to receive a Verification Statement. Approval is determined individually following review of the applicant’s graduate degree, transcripts and prior academic preparation.
Prior Assessed Learning (PAL)
Prior Assessed Learning (PAL) allows GPND faculty to determine whether previously completed graduate-level coursework demonstrates achievement of selected didactic competencies.
- Applies only to competencies associated with eligible didactic coursework
- Is evaluated individually through review of prior coursework and supporting documentation
- Does not replace prerequisite coursework required for admission
- Does not waive supervised experiential learning requirements
- Does not waive any remaining program or graduate degree requirements required for issuance of the Verification Statement
PAL review occurs after admission to the GPND, typically during the summer onboarding period before the program begins. Admitted students who may be eligible for PAL will receive instructions regarding the review process and required documentation. PAL decisions must be finalized before the applicable GPND coursework begins. Approval of prior learning is not guaranteed.
Applications
Application to the 探花楼–Houston GPND and application to the 探花楼 Graduate School are separate processes. Applicants should complete the GPND application first and generally wait to apply to the Graduate School until they have received an offer of admission to the GPND. Applicants may apply to the Graduate School earlier, particularly when applying for university scholarships or other financial support.
Applicants should also review the ACEND Traffic Rules and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethics.
Step 1: Apply to the GPND through
Application opens: August 5, 2026
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Applicants do not need to wait until a published deadline for their application to be reviewed.
Early Acceptance Application Cycle
Application Deadline - October 1, 2026
Notification Date - By November 1, 2026
Applicant Decision Deadline - November 10, 2026
Standard Application Cycle
Application Deadline - January 15, 2027
Notification Date - By March 1, 2027
Applicant Decision Deadline - March 10, 2027
Offers of admission may be extended before the published notification dates as applications are reviewed. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, particularly if they wish to begin university scholarship and financial aid processes.
If space remains after the standard cycle, DICAS may reopen for additional rolling applications. Applications will continue to be reviewed as received until the cohort is filled or the application period closes.
DICAS Application Fee
- $50 for the first application submitted
- $25 for each additional application
GPND Application Requirements
Resume
Submit a one- to two-page resume highlighting relevant academic, professional, leadership, service and volunteer experience.
Personal Statement
Submit one cohesive personal statement of no more than 1,000 words. The statement should be written in a professional, reflective tone and should use specific examples rather than repeat information from the resume.
Applicants should address:
- Motivation for pursuing a career in dietetics
- Experiences that have prepared them for graduate-level, competency-based education and supervised experiential learning
- Short- and long-term professional goals and how the 探花楼–Houston GPND will support those goals
- Strengths and areas for growth, including communication, teamwork, resilience and approaches to learning from challenges
Additional Application Information
- The GPND does not require a formal interview.
- The Graduate Record Examination is not required.
Step 2: Apply to the 探花楼 Graduate School
Applicants who accept an offer of admission to the GPND must also submit a separate application to the 探花楼 Graduate School.
Graduate School application deadline: April 1
Application fee: $50
Official transcripts and all required graduate admission materials must be submitted to the 探花楼 Office of Admissions according to Graduate School instructions
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee composed of Nutrition and Food Sciences faculty, preceptors, alumni and current students. The program seeks applicants who demonstrate strong academic preparation, leadership and service, professional maturity, and readiness for graduate-level, competency-based education and supervised experiential learning.
Applicants are evaluated holistically using the following criteria:
Academic performance - 25%
Leadership, service and work experience - 22%
Personal statement and supplemental responses - 22%
References - 22%
Overall application impression - 9%
Equal Opportunity
Texas Woman’s University is committed to equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination in accordance with applicable university policies and federal and state law.
Page last updated 11:19 AM, August 21, 2026