Applying

Submitting an application

Our program participates in the Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS). This requires that your application be submitted through the central application portal. The ACEND website provides additional information on the centralized application process. Please follow the DICAS instructions for submitting your application. Our program is listed as the “University of Wisconsin Integrated Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics.” The deadline for fall applications is Oct. 6. The deadline for spring applications is Jan. 15. Be sure to submit all required DICAS payments.

DICAS application requirements include the following. Please visit the UW IGPND application page in DICAS for more details.

  • Properly completed application form
  • Personal statement
  • Declaration of Intent to Complete or Verification Statement submitted by your DPD Director
  • Official transcript(s) of credit from all universities or colleges showing a cumulative GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Reference forms from three professionally qualified persons. This should include two academic references and one from a supervisor of work experience.
  • DICAS application fee
  • GRE scores are not required

Upon review of a completed application via DICAS, our selection committee will notify you of their decision by Nov. 1 for the Fall Admission Cycle and by March 1 for the Spring Admission Cycle.

If you already hold a graduate degree, please contact Makayla Schuchardt (mlschuchardt@wisc.edu) for more information on the application to the Capstone Certificate in Clinical Nutrition.

Second-round selection

If positions remain open after the spring selection round, applications will be accepted via DICAS on a rolling basis. Visit the ACEND website for the specific date.

Selection criteria

Application to the Program requires successful completion of The Academy’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements and fulfillment of the application process noted above.

Students are selected based on:

  • Scholastic achievement
  • Conceptual ability
  • Written and oral expression
  • Self-direction
  • Preparation
  • Work experience
  • Professional activities
  • Leadership abilities
  • Professional references

It is ideal that the personal narrative reflects such abilities. In the past, the students selected typically have an overall GPA greater than 3.0 and paid work experience in clinical nutrition and/or food service experience.

Admission requirements

All must meet the following core requirements before they formally begin the program:

  • Official college transcripts with posted degree and completion of all DPD coursework
  • Final verification statement from an ACEND-accredited DPD college
  • Completion of a formal online employment application to UW Hospitals and Clinics
  • Completion of a physical exam at Employee Health Services with proof of titers (blood tests) showing immunity
    • Hepatitis B: 3 dosage series with appropriate dates or Hepatitis B declination
    • Influenza: Injection or intranasal influenza within flu season
    • MMR: Two dosages with appropriate dates of MMR given at least 28 days apart after first birthday or positive titers for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
    • Varicella: Two dosages of Varicella given at least 28 days apart or Varicella titer with positive status
    • Tdap: Recommended within the last 10 years
    • TB skin test
    • COVID-19: Required to be up to date on all doses in the primary series and one booster dose
  • Background check, additional background checks may be required by various rotation sites
  • Drug screening may be required by various rotation sites
  • Fingerprinting may be required by various rotation sites
  • Health insurance is strongly encouraged. Tuition costs for the program do not include segregated fees. Therefore, access to University Health Services or health care access to UW Hospitals and Clinics is not provided. Students are responsible for locating access to affordable health care based on their current insurance plan.

International applicants

Applicants must be either citizens of the United States or able to maintain work authorization throughout the program. UW Hospitals and Clinics does not offer visa sponsorship to candidates for the UW IGPND.