Admission Mission Statement
The Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology is committed to training clinical and research leaders in dietetics, nutrition, and metabolism investigations. Our programs impart knowledge in a culture that fosters teamwork, professionalism, and compassion, producing exceptional graduates who are prepared to improve the lives of all members of our society. To achieve these aims, we admit individuals from a broad variety of backgrounds and experiences who display academic excellence, community service, and leadership potential. NUIP evaluates applicants on a wide range of criteria with a holistic admissions process, including academic performance, personal statements, life experiences, and extracurricular activities. We strive to create a dynamic learning environment that prepares graduates to serve all sectors of our communities.
This is a research-based program where students are expected to complete an M.S. thesis that contributes to the body of knowledge in their field of study. This program is characterized by coursework that mirrors the Ph.D. program tracks, but with a reduced research requirement, which is met by completing 6 hours of thesis research that results in a peer reviewed publication. The requirements for the M.S. degree are:
- 38 minimum credits required, with 6 minimum credits must be from NUIP 6970 thesis research.
To be considered for admission to the program, prospective students must meet the following requirements:
- A bachelor's degree in a health-related field from a regionally-accredited university or college with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of credit work.
- One course in each of the following: Biology, General Chemistry (2 semesters), General Chemistry laboratory, Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry laboratory, Biochemistry, and Physiology.
Application Deadline
| FALL SEMESTER ADMISSION: | ||
December 1stInternational and domestic |
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| SUMMER or SPRING ADMISSION: | ||
| Send inquiry to the Director of Graduate Studies, Thunder Jalili thunder.jalili@utah.edu BY SEPTEMBER 15th | ||
Requirements
- The first and most essential step in obtaining entry into the NUIP Master's program is identifying a faculty mentor. Students must ask prospective mentors for a letter of support that expresses a willingness to support the candidate’s research and stipend.
- Completed a bachelor’s in nutrition, physiology, or a related field in the health sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry, etc.) and a strong interest in research, teaching, and service in the discipline.
- Completed all the required prerequisites
- Finally, once support is obtained, candidates must be admitted by the Graduate School and the Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology.
How to Apply
NUIP has a rolling admission process and will accept applications at any time for either Fall or Spring semester entry. To be guaranteed admission for the Fall semester, however, prospective students should submit a complete application prior to December 1st.
Applications are submitted using the Graduate School FutureU portal: https://futureu.admissions.utah.edu/apply/
REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
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LETTER OF SUPPORT Obtain a letter from a current NUIP faculty mentor expressing a willingness to support the candidate's research and stipend. Once letter is collected, upload to the "Additional Materials" section of the FutureU portal. If your application is missing this letter of support, your application will not be reviewed. |
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CURRICULUM VITAE or RESUME Ensure all professional memberships, professional publications and conference paper presentations, internship experiences, and civic/volunteer activities are included on your CV. |
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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 500-1000 words identifying your educational goals, interests, long-term career goals, and any research experience. |
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THREE (3) ACADEMIC LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (LoR) LoR due by the application deadline. All letters of recommendation must be posted on an official Institution letterhead with a handwritten signature from the recommendation provider. Written by individuals with either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, such as a faculty member, current employer, mentor, or colleague. |
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PREREQUISITES AND COURSES SECTION List all required and recommended courses completed prior to the beginning of the program. Also, enter prerequisite equivalency with any additional details, and the specific prerequisite course requirement this fulfills. Equivalent courses from accredited institutions are accepted. To confirm course equivalency, contact Thunder Jalili, Nutrition & Integrative Physiology Director of Graduate Studies, at thunder.jalili@utah.edu for a transcript review. |
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ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST SCORES (TOEFL or IELTS) Test of Spoken English (TSE), is required only for those whose native language is not English. Test dates must fall within two years of submitting your application and paying your application fee to be valid. The Admission Office cannot use expired test scores to evaluate the English proficiency requirement.
Enter your scores in the "Test Scores" application section. Your scores are verified by international admission when they receive the official scores. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam - arrange for your most recent scores to be sent electronically to the University of Utah (School code: 4853). Department code is not necessary. The TOEFL score is preferred but we also accept the IELTS test scores. IELTS scores must be sent to your testing center to the University of Utah, Admission Office electronically. Find out more on how applicants can demonstrate English proficiency. |
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TRANSCRIPTS A copy from each Institution attended must be uploaded in the "Academic History" section of the FutureU portal. All transcripts submitted with your application are considered unofficial and are used for initial admissions evaluation only. If you are admitted to the University of Utah, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the end of your first semester of enrollment. Students will not be permitted to continue their enrollment until all official transcripts are received by the Office of Admissions.
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OPTIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE) (School code: 4853 Dept. code: 0214)
Taken within the past five years
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE (e.g. publications, research papers, and awards)
Uploaded to the "Additional Materials" section of the FutureU portal.
FINANCIAL
The Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology offers financial assistance to some students through the award of Teaching (TA) and Research (RA) Assistantships. These positions provide financial assistance to graduate students in exchange for teaching/research and/or service related work for the department. Master’s students can be eligible for a half-time assistantship that comes with a 50% tuition wavier and lower stipend with a work load commiserate with the Master’s program training. The department retains the right to disseminate assistantships based upon the number of applicants and department need. Once the thesis is defended, students are no longer eligible to receive these financial awards. Financial support awarded prior to the thesis defense will be honored until the completion of the contract. A master’s degree candidate can receive financial support (TA/RA) for a maximum of two years. Students that have TA’s or RA’s are required to satisfactorily fulfill their responsibilities as determined by their supervisor, mentor, or department chair. Note that full time Research Assistantship requires registration for at least 9 credits per semester, unless students have completed classes / qualifying exams and are only working on thesis / dissertation research, then only 3 credits/semester is required.
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to receive the tuition waiver. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will have the tuition waiver reversed at the end of the semester, and will be responsible for payment of the tuition and applicable late fees. Other financial aid is available on a limited basis from the University and outside organizations. All students are encouraged to apply for outside funding to support graduate studies. For additional information, please consult the following link on the University of Utah Graduate School website.
Prerequisites
Students must have a bachelor's degree in any field and the following prerequisites or their equivalents:
| BIOLOGY | ||
| BIOL 1610 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 2420 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| CHEMISTRY | ||
| CHEM 1210+1215 | General Chemistry I + Lab | 4 + 1 |
| CHEM 1220 | General Chemistry II + Lab | 4 + 1 |
| CHEM 2310+2315 | Organic Chemistry I + Lab | 4 + 1 |
| CHEM 3510 | Biological Chemistry I | 3 |
| MATH | ||
| MATH 1050 | College Algebra | 4 |
| Required for Nutrition Emphasis | ||
| NUIP 1020 or NUIP 4440 | Introductory or Advanced Nutrition | 3 or 4 |
| Strongly Recommended for all Programs | ||
| BIOL 2020 | Principles of Cell Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 2320+2325 | Organic Chemistry II + Lab | 4 + 1 |
| CHEM 3515 | Biological Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| CHEM 3520 | Biological Chemistry II | 3 |
| WRTG 2010 | Intermediate Writing: Research and Inquiry | 4 |
Footnotes
1A minimum of 1 credit of chemistry lab is required.
2NOTE: CHEM 3510 and FDNU 4440 MUST have been completed within the last five (5) years.
The course numbers provided are from the University of Utah. Equivalent courses from accredited institutions are accepted.
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