The OU Department of Nutritional Sciences is one-of-a-kind in Oklahoma and offers a 68-hour, non-thesis professional program based at the Oklahoma City campus. This program prepares students to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) who use food to improve the lives of their patients. This career field is highly flexible! RDNs work across the spectrum of health and disease, from developing new methods of food production and food service to preventing disease and enhancing performance in healthy individuals to reducing the burden of disease after diagnosis. There are 3 steps to becoming an RDN: classroom education, internship experience (also called supervised practice), and passing the national registration exam.
OU’s Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics is unique in Oklahoma because it seamlessly combines classroom instruction with the internship experience. Students take classes at the same time that they complete over 1200 internship hours—what they learn in class, they put immediately into practice. Students work with talented preceptors throughout the state of Oklahoma to gain on-the-job training for a variety of career paths and begin networking for future employment opportunities. Upon graduation from the program, they are ready to take the national registration exam and become an RDN, when they may obtain state certification or licensure as appropriate.
Students must have a strong science background as preparation for this challenging program. After meeting prerequisite courses, they can then apply to the Nutritional Sciences program which begins each fall semester. If accepted to the program, students begin coursework specific to nutrition. Courses include Experimental Foods (the science of cooking), Nutrition during the Life Cycle (normal nutrition care for all stages of the life cycle from pregnancy to old age), Medical Nutrition Therapy (nutrition intervention for people with disease), Quantity Foods and Food Service Management (how to direct a production kitchen and run a nutrition-related business), and Community Nutrition (reaching large populations with nutrition education).
Students admitted to the Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics (programmatic coursework with internship included) must have either 1) a baccalaureate degree in any subject and prerequisite courses, or 2) 90 hours and required prerequisite courses. Click here to see the prerequisites. If admitted, students will earn a Master of Arts degree in 24 months. Students admitted with 90 hours but no baccalaureate degree will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences after the first year in the program and will go on to earn the Master of Arts degree and a verification to take the National Registry Exam to become a dietitian at the completion of the program.
Licensure for dietitians is required in the state of Oklahoma. More information on licensure can be found at the Oklahoma Medical Board website.
This program is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians.
Complete information about this program is contained in the CPMA Student Handbook.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.
Further information about accredited dietetic education programs may be obtained from:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Website
Email
If you would like to explore dietetics further, visit:
The Department of Nutritional Sciences has a long-standing agreement with the Graduate College to allow some CPMA coursework to additionally count toward the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences (MS) graduate degree.
A Master of Science degree is a graduate degree, meaning it develops a different skill set than the Master of Arts professional degree. The Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics (CPMA) degree program seeks to teach skills required for the profession of dietetics. The MS program seeks to enhance critical thinking and problem solving, to teach students how to ask good questions, gather and evaluate information, and share new knowledge with others. Students do NOT have to complete an MS to be a registered dietitian, but it may help develop specific skills that can translate to the workplace, depending on the type of career the student desires. Any student who wants to know more about the MA/MS dual option should speak with the CPMA and MS Program Directors.
All students who are eligible for the CPMA program may decide to complete the dual degree option—students who have completed an undergraduate degree as well as students who have completed the minimum 90 prerequisite hours but have not completed an undergraduate degree. Every student must apply for the MS and pay the associated application fee(s). As students are accepted into the CPMA program, they will receive information on the process to apply for the MS, should they decide to do so.
Students who begin the CPMA program without an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply to the MS program after completing the Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences, which occurs after Summer I. Nine hours of coursework in Fall II will count toward both the CPMA and MS degrees.
Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree when they begin the CPMA program are eligible to apply to the MS immediately and may earn 19 hours of credit through coursework that counts toward both the CPMA and MS degrees.
A minimum of 34 credit hours is required for the MS in Nutritional Sciences. These remaining hours include core requirements (including Thesis, Biostatistics Methods I, and Seminar) plus additional hours of electives as selected by the student. Many Nutritional Sciences electives are taught every other year, so students have the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses. Potential electives may be found on the MS Curriculum web page. All students in the MA/MS dual option must complete a thesis, and students will work with their individual faculty mentor to complete this project.
Completion of the MS in addition to the MA degree is anticipated to add approximately one semester to the program, but time for completion is dependent on the individual student’s preference in number of additional MS-only courses they wish to enroll in and in choice of thesis project.
For additional information and requirements for the MS, please see that program handbook and/or contact the MS Program Director.
If after reviewing the below qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact ahinfo@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.
2024-2025 Cycle Deadlines
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Application Opens on July 15, 2024
Application Closes on March 1st, 2025
All application components outlined in the Application Procedure section must be completed on or before March 1st in order to be considered. Incomplete applications will be automatically denied.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for admission, an applicant must:
- Meet the following degree or credit hour requirements:
- Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program. There is no preference given to a specific major, applicants should choose a major of interest;
- OR have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, prerequisite coursework (minimum 90 credit hours - no more than 60 credit hours from a two-year college will count toward the required 90 and at least 30 credit hours must be earned at a four-year institution) from any accredited college or university prior to starting the program
- Students will be eligible to earn the B.S. in Nutritional Sciences degree after the completion of 30 hours in the program;
- AND meet the following GPA requirements:
- At minimum, earn a 2.75 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
- At minimum, earn a 2.75 pre-requisite grade point average on a 4.0 scale. This GPA includes the following prerequisite courses: Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2, Human Physiology, and Introduction to Nutrition;
- The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
- Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
- While a 2.75 is the minimum eligibility requirement, please review our admission statistics from the previous year to ensure that you are a competitive applicant.
- AND have completed, or are in the process of completing the required pre-requisites:
- Successfully complete all departmental prerequisite courses with grades of C or better prior to beginning our program in August, please note that the required 2.75 pre-requisite GPA still applies;
- Human Physiology and Introduction to Nutrition must have been taken within the 5 years prior to admission;
- Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the required 2.75 cumulative grade point average still applies;
- If your pre-requisites are from a college or university that is not the University of Oklahoma, please refer to the Transfer Equivalency Database to find out if your courses transfer.
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required as part of the application process.
- If English is a second language, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) within two years prior to application. The OUHSC institution code for the TOEFL is 6902. The department may waive TOEFL scores if the applicant provides evidence of graduation from a U.S. High School or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Click here to review additional information regarding the TOEFL and TOEFL waiver.
Application Procedure
- Complete an online application through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Office of Admissions and Records;
- Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended directly to OUHS Admissions and Records;
- If previous coursework is from colleges or universities outside of the US, have all transcripts/mark sheets processed through World Education Services (WES);
- Once the OUHS application is complete and all transcripts have been received, applicants will receive a link to complete the online asynchronous interview/assessment through Kira Talent;
- Selection:
- Once an application is complete, including the OUHSC application, Official Transcripts, and Kira Talent Assessment, it will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Decisions may be made as early as October 1st.
- Decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled, which may continue through Summer 2025.
- Admitted applicants will be notified via an electronic letter sent by OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records. Waitlisted or Denied students will be notified via email of their status.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have provided a correct email address in the OU application system and be monitoring their email for updates.
- Admitted applicants must accept their position according to the timeline communicated on their electronic letter received through OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records, or the position will be considered declined. If admitted, applicants must accept their position by paying a non-refundable deposit, which will be applied toward tuition and fees during the first term
- Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation the week before the start of their first semester beginning in August 2025 as well as meet all university compliance and eligibility requirements. Admission is conditional based on meeting all requirements and the college reserves the right to rescind admission offers up until the start of the first week of school.
Course numbers are those of the University of Oklahoma. Approved prerequisite courses are offered at many institutions. It is extremely important that you look up every course you have taken, plan to take, and/or are currently enrolled in to verify that they are equivalent courses. The responsibility is yours to enroll in equivalent courses and we provide the tools to make sure you do. Check the Transfer Equivalencies Database or with your school advisor regarding equivalent courses. There are instructions on that page on how to request a transcript evaluation for particular courses if your courses are not listed in the database.
Click on the following link to use the prerequisite worksheet to keep track of your prerequisite classes.
All prerequisites are required unless noted in the footnotes. Please read the footnote descriptions located directly underneath the table.
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(1) is required if applicant has not completed a Bachelor’s degree. It is recommended that the applicant take an upper level/division (3000 or 4000 level) world culture (or non-western culture), western culture, or artistic forms class. By taking an upper division course in one of those categories, two prerequisites can be completed with that one class.
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(2) is not required for applicants who have an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree from an Oklahoma college. Not required for applicants that have a Bachelor’s degree. Foreign Language 1st and 2nd course are waived for applicants who completed two years of the same language in high school.
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(3) is required if applicant has not completed a Bachelor’s degree. Ten hours of upper division courses are required and can be taken in any chosen subject area. The three hour Upper Level General Education Prerequisite can be counted towards those ten hours.
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(4) not required for applicants who have a Bachelor's degree.
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| (5) These courses must have been taken within the five years prior to admission. Click here for additional information. |
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^Applicants applying in 2022 who have not completed a Bachelor’s degree will be required to complete 1 of 3 "First Year Experience" courses for graduation. A First Year Experience course may be taken prior to applying to OUHSC or a "First Year Experience" course will be offered after admission to OUHSC for those who still need to complete this requirement.. The NS Department recommends completing this requirement course prior to admission to OUHSC. The courses are part of the General Education offered through OU-Norman or may be an equivalent course approved by OU-Norman.
* Courses marked with a * count towards the science prerequisite GPA which must be a 2.75 or higher.
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REMEDIAL COURSES DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE CREDIT HOURS. STUDENTS ATTENDING A TWO-YEAR COLLEGE MAY USE THEIR TRANSFER CREDIT TO MEET CERTAIN LOWER-DIVISION COURSE REQUIREMENTS ONLY.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Varies = there are multiple courses that are equivalent for these prerequisites. If you are attending OU in Norman for these courses, click here for equivalent courses; if attending another institution, please check the Transfer Equivalency Database link below.
CPMA BY SEMESTER
1st Fall (17 hours)
| Course Name |
Course Number |
| Nutrition During the Life Cycle |
NS 7153 |
| Adult Weight Management |
NS 5132 |
| Clinical Dietetics Profession |
NS 7111 |
| Nutrition Assessment |
NS 7192 |
| Research Methods in Dietetics |
NS 5233 |
| Quantity Foods |
NS 7212 |
| Nutrition Biochemistry and Physiology |
NS 5104 |
1st Spring (15 hours)
| Course Name |
Course Number |
| Nutrition Counseling |
NS 7222 |
| Counseling Practicum |
NS 7121 |
| Medical Nutrition Therapy I |
NS 7244 |
| Energy Nutrients |
NS 5823 |
| Experimental Foods |
NS 5253 |
| Food Preparation Practicum |
NS 7412 |
1st Summer (6 hours)
| Course Name |
Course Number |
| Public Health Nutrition I |
NS 5133 |
| Dietetic Education Capstone Seminar |
NS 7313 |
2nd Fall (15 hours)
| Course Name |
Course Number |
| Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy |
NS 5134 |
| Food Nutrition Services Management |
NS 7213 |
| Non-Energy Nutrients |
NS 5833 |
| Public Health Nutrition II |
NS 6133 |
| Medical Nutrition Therapy Practicum |
NS 7542 |
2nd Spring (10 hours)
| Course Name |
Course Number |
| Clinical Nutrition Practicum* |
NS 7615 |
| Food and Nutrition Service Management Practicum* |
NS 7625 |
2nd Summer (5 hours)
| Course Name |
Course Number |
| Community Nutrition Practicum* |
NS 7635 |
*May be completed in any order
**Subject to change, if needed
***The CPMA observes the University calendar which may be accessed through the Office of Admissions and Records website. However, the supervised practicum may require that students work during holidays. For example, during the spring of the second year, there is no spring break as students will be onsite in healthcare facilities as a part of their supervised practice.
****The final three practicums may be completed in any order based on availability of rotation sites.
Course Descriptions
Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education (ONIE) Project Fellowship
The ONIE Fellowship is centered around the development of public health and dietetic leaders who will advance public health nutritional research and practice through evidence-based practice.
Through this paid fellowship, ONIE fellows will gain a public health-focused skill set to complement their dietetic training, including:
- In-depth experience on how community nutrition interventions are designed, implemented, and evaluated
- Practical experience in the development, design, and execution of developing nutrition education materials in digital and print formats
- Grant writing and reporting of outcomes from community nutrition interventions
- Introduction to program budget management
In addition to these skills, Fellows will receive:
- Biweekly paid stipend
- Automatic in-state tuition
- Flexible work hours based on class schedules
- Opportunity for thesis/dissertation research (for MS/PhD students)
Applications will be open to Nutritional Sciences students each fall. Based on funding, additional positions may be advertised at other times. Preference will be given to applicants in their first semester who plan to work with ONIE for their entire program.
Applications include:
- Resume
- Cover letter answering the question, “What intrigues you about this opportunity?”
- Sample work/portfolio that includes a writing sample, a social media post about nutrition, and any other demonstration of suitability for this opportunity
Select applicants will be asked to interview with ONIE leadership. Final selections will be made by a committee including ONIE leaders and Nutritional Sciences faculty.
Applications are due May 15 each year; selection will be made by June 30.
Questions? See our FAQ and contact ahinfo@ouhsc.edu.
See more about ONIE’s work.
Each year in May, the Department of Nutritional Sciences offers the course Mediterranean Diet and Culture which takes place at the University of Oklahoma Arezzo campus in Arezzo, Tuscany.
The course includes two focus areas: learning about the history and health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and experiencing Italian food culture. Special guest lecturers have included the internationally recognized scientist Dr. Pier Luigi Rossi, who discussed how the Mediterranean diet affects genetics and metabolism of nutrients, and food historian Professor Karima Moyer-Nocchi, who described how poverty and food scarcity led to the development of the most iconic Italian food—pasta.
Students experience Italian food culture from farm to table throughout the course. Course activities have included tasting different varieties of honey with the beekeeper who produced them, learning how wine can be produced organically, and touring a Pecorino cheese factory to discuss the enzymatic processes that make cheese. Students learn how to cook Italian favorites, including a lesson on pasta making and an advanced cooking class for a three-course meal with a local chef from one of the finest restaurants in Arezzo. They visit a preschool to learn how food culture values are taught to Italian children, instilling in them a life-long appreciation for fresh, seasonal, and healthy food.
The majority of the course takes place in Arezzo, but also included are trips to Florence, Rome, Assisi, Cortona, and other areas in Tuscany.
The course lasts approximately two weeks during the May intersession and fits in with the CPMA curriculum. The course is not required for the CPMA but may be taken as an extra elective or for credit toward the Master of Science dual degree program. Undergraduates with an interest may also take this course. More information can be found at the OU Education Abroad office.
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the prospective student's page to utilize resources such as the transfer equivalency tables, admission statistics, job shadowing, gpa calculation, tuition cost, scholarships, student life, campus resources, etc.
The OUHSC Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
Further information about accredited dietetic education programs may be obtained from:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Website
Email