Thank you for your interest in Sargent College’s graduate nutrition programs!
BU’s graduate nutrition programs offer advanced study in human nutrition science, to meet students’ academic backgrounds and professional aspirations. Our mission is to prepare students to contribute to advancements across the profession.
Explore our three programs to determine which is the best fit for you! We also encourage you attend an online or in-person event to get to know more about us.
Programs
All applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships and graduate assistantships.
MS in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship
Students interested in earning the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential who hold either a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or a Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) Verification Statement are eligible to apply to the MS/DI program. Boston University offers two options: The BU MS/DI and the BU MS + Partnership DI.
The BU MS/DI program is a STEM-eligible graduate program that combines both the master’s degree and supervised practice requirements to become an RDN into one integrated pathway.
Sargent College partners with accredited, free-standing DI programs to offer a STEM-eligible academic and supervised practice experience preparing students to become an RDN. Students admitted to a Partnership DI program will complete the MS in Nutrition at BU and the DI at the Partnership DI site.
Application Information:
For study beginning in January 2026 or September 2026:
- Application opens: August 5, 2025
- Application deadline: October 8, 2025*
*For BU undergraduates only, the pre-select deadline is October 1, 2025.
Didactic Program in Dietetics/MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (DPD/MS/DI)
The DPD/MS/DI program is a STEM-eligible graduate program designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree outside of dietetics, who aspire to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) but still need a DPD or FDE Verification Statement. The program includes coursework necessary for a DPD verification statement, an MS in Nutrition, and a dietetic internship.
Application Information:
For study beginning in September 2026:
- Application opens: August 5, 2025
- Application deadline: October 8, 2025*
*For BU undergraduates only, the pre-select deadline is October 1, 2025.
MS in Nutrition (Two Semesters)
The MS Nutrition degree is a STEM-eligible graduate program designed with a wide range of students in mind. Whether you are a student looking for a great gap year experience before applying to medical school; or a career in nutrition research, public health, community, or industry; a DPD graduate looking for a master’s degree before applying to a dietetic internship; or an RDN hoping to elevate your career, this program has something to offer you.
Application Information:
For study beginning in January 2026:
- Application opens: August 8, 2025
- Application deadline: October 8, 2025*
*For BU undergraduates only, the pre-select deadline is October 1, 2025.
For study beginning in September 2026:
- Application opens: August 8, 2025
- Early deadline: October 8, 2025
- Preferred deadline: February 15, 2026
- Rolling until: June 26, 2026
We encourage you to chat with a current student!
Mission Statement
The mission of the Boston University Programs in Nutrition is to cultivate an environment that fosters the knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve diverse populations. Our programs emphasize critical thinking about the relationship between food, nutrition, and health, effective communication methods, and readiness to contribute to future advancements in the field across clinical, community, research, industry, and communications settings.
