Admission Requirements
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville participates in the spring application process through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS). Applicants must submit their application through DICAS by February 1st to be considered for admittance for the following Fall.
- Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (A=4.0) to be considered for admittance into the program
- Successful completion of a bachelor's prior to enrollment
- Completion or planned completion of prerequisite coursework prior to the start of the program
- Transcripts from all schools Transcripts can be ordered directly through DICAS or, if your school does not participate in the National Student Clearing house or Parchment e-transcript services, you can order and have paper transcripts sent. Applications will not be considered without DICAS verification of transcripts. It is the student's responsibility to refer to the DICAS procedure for proper and timely submission of transcripts and academic updates.
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement about your career goals and motivation for becoming a registered dietitian. In fewer than 800 words, address the following questions:
- Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
- What experiences have helped to prepare you for your career in dietetics?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas in need of improvement?
- What other information do you consider important for the selection decision?
- An interview (in-person or via video call) by the Selection Committee may be requested
- For international students, a minimum total internet-based TOEFL score of 100 is required to be considered for admission.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency as outlined by International Student Admissions. TOEFL scores should be entered in the DICAS Academic History section of the application.
Program application materials should be uploaded during the application process. For students accepted into the program, official transcripts must also be sent directly from the school attended to the Graduate Admissions office at graduateadmissions@siue.edu by the start of the fall term.
Review the SIUE Admissions Policy for more information.
Application Deadline
Application deadline is February 1st. Applications will be reviewed following the deadline with admission decisions announced by March 1st for admission in the fall semester. Late applications will be processed on a space available basis.
How to Apply
All transcripts, letters of recommendation and supplemental materials are to be submitted through the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS). Students are encouraged to review the DICAS Application Instructions before submitting their application.
Prerequisite Coursework Requirements
Students are eligible to apply for the nutrition and dietetics program if they have met or have plans in place to complete the following prerequisites prior to the start of the program:
- English Composition I and II
- Anatomy and Physiology*: Two semesters of anatomy and physiology with lab
- Microbiology or Bacteriology*: One course with laboratory
- General Chemistry*: One course with laboratory
- Nutritional Biochemistry or Biochemistry*
- Mathematics: One course in college algebra or higher
- Psychology: One course in introductory psychology or human behavior
- Two Foods Courses*:
- Food Service Management or equivalent
- A general food studies course with lab
- Nutrition*: Human nutrition course
*Science and nutrition courses should be taken within five years of starting the program and students must have earned a grade of C or better.
Application FAQs
Do I have to submit an application directly to the University?
No. All application materials should be submitted through the DICAS portal. Students admitted to the program and completing undergraduate degrees and prerequisites at schools other than SIUE will be required to submit an official transcript verifying course and degree completion to prior to the start of their first semester.
Do I have to wait for my fall grades to be posted to request a transcript to be sent?
No, but we do need fall grades in a timely manner, so go ahead and request your transcript! We recommend students make the request during the fall term and indicate to their Registrar’s Office to hold the transcript and send only after fall grades have been posted. Then, your current institution will automatically send the transcript to DICAS once fall grades are posted and you don’t have to worry about making this request in December or January. We also recommend you follow-up with your Registrar’s Office to verify that the transcript was sent with fall grades posted.
Does SIUE require a writing sample or personal statement?
Yes. Instructions for the essay are listed both on our website and in the DICAS application portal.
Does the program only admit students once a year?
Yes. All students apply for a fall start.
How big is your program?
The average size for each cohort over the last three years is 10 students.
Does SIUE require the GRE?
No, SIUE does not require the GRE.
Is there any additional information you can provide to help me through this process?
Yes. The ACEND Student Page has valuable information for preparing students to applying to dietetics training programs and using the DICAS portal.
Graduate Assistantships
SIUE offers graduate assistantship positions on a competitive basis. Students are encouraged to explore available positions after receiving notice of admission into their graduate program, and to follow the application instructions listed directly in the job posting.
