Preselection Admission Option

The preselection option can save you time.

You'll have a simplified path for admission into the Dietetic Internship (DI) program or the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) program. 

How it works

Apply during your senior year and receive direct admission into the program upon final acceptance and completion of the nutrition and dietetics major and degree requirements.

Students applying to the preselect admission option will commit to attending Missouri State's Dietetic Internship (DI) or Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) program the year following undergraduate completion.

Note: Preselection does not guarantee your admission into either program (DI or MSND).

Preselect admission requirements

If you're currently enrolled at Missouri State and meet the following criteria, you're eligible to apply for the preselection admission option during your senior year.

  • Minimum of a 3.4 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • Grade of B- or higher in DTN 532, DTN 538, DTN 536.
  • Grade of C- or higher in all dietetics and nutrition (DTN), biomedical sciences (BMS), and chemistry (CHM) courses.

Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 79 (internet-based) within two years prior to application on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). 

Preselect application process

  1. Interested applicants must schedule an appointment with the Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Program Director to review their admission requirements and discuss the application process.
  2. Interested, qualified applicants will apply through Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS). This application is due the fall semester of the applicant’s senior year no later than 5 p.m. CST on the last day of fall semester classes, which always falls on a Thursday, for preadmission into the MSND or dietetic internship class for the following year.
  3. Applicant must submit a completed application and the following in their application packet.
    1. Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a "Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree.”
    2. Personal philosophy statement that addresses the applicant’s strengths, areas of improvement, and professional career goals and how the DI will aid in accomplishing those goals.
    3. One recommendation letter from an applicant's supervisor or manager at a work, volunteer, or club experience.
    4. Resume which includes work and/or volunteer experience and involvement in college and/or community activities.
    5. Applications are to be submitted on DICAS by 5PM central time on the last day of fall semester classes, which always falls on a Thursday, for preadmission into the MSND or Dietetic Internship class for the following year.

 Preselect selection process

  1. Applications will be reviewed by the MSND/DI Selection Committee upon receipt of fall semester grades and calculation of the final cumulative GPA. 
  2. Qualified applicants will have an on-campus interview.
  3. Applicants will receive notification via email from the Dietetics and Nutrition Graduate Program Director of acceptance or rejection into the Preselect MSND/DI Admission Option by January 28th each academic year. 
  4. Selection criterion will include participation in professional or community organizations, extracurricular activities, honors and awards, on-campus interview, academic performance, and the selection committee’s assessment of the individual’s ability to successfully complete the Missouri State University MSND or DI.  Meeting minimum requirements for the Preselect DI Admission Option does not guarantee acceptance into the DI or MSND programs.
  5. The total number of preselect positions is eight annually.
  6. Students are accepted into the Missouri State University MSND or DI for the year immediately following completion of their undergraduate requirements.
  7. Once students accept a position in Missouri State University’s MSND or DI their name is submitted to D&D Digital and that student is ineligible to participate in computer matching.
  8. Admittance in Missouri State University’s MSND or DI is contingent on the student maintaining a grade of C or better in DTN, BMS, and CHM courses.

 Preselect applicant notification

  1. Applicants will receive notification via email from the Graduate Program Director of acceptance or rejection into the Preselect MSND/Dietetic Internship Admission Option by January 28th each academic year. 
  2. Written confirmation via email to the Graduate Program Director of acceptance or rejection of the position is required by January 30th of the academic year.
  3. Students admitted into the DI or MSND program must pay a placeholder fee of $500.00 known as the confirmation deposit.
  4. Students admitted into the DI or MSND program will have the Graduate College Application fee waived.
  5. Additional program requirements.