Application Deadline
Fall Term: June 1
Spring Term: October 1
Summer Term: March 1
This program has a rolling admission. When the application is complete and ready for review, it will be sent to the Admissions Committee.
The MS in Nutrition Sciences, Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention (LMDP) track admits during all terms.
Open House
The LMDP track will host a Virtual Open House on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CST.
Open House Registration Opens an external link.
Admission Requirements
Students with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field of study are eligible to apply to the Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention (LMDP) track as long as they have earned a grade of C or higher in three-credit hour courses for the following prerequisites:
- Introductory Biology – 3 credit hours – lab is not required
- Organic Chemistry – 3 credit hours – lab is not required
- Human Physiology – 3 credit hours – lab is not required
- Microbiology – 3 credit hours – lab is not required
- Nutrition and Health (Intro to Nutrition) NTR 222 – 3 credit hours
Prerequisite requirements can be completed at UAB or another institution. Here are the course descriptions for the prerequisites. NTR 222: Nutrition and Health is offered online every semester. Courses taken at another accredited institution are acceptable as long as the content is similar to the course descriptions found above. You must earn a C or higher in the other prerequisite courses prior to applying to this program.
Students Interested in Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Students in the LMDP track interested in becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) have the option to apply to the Dietitian Education Graduate Certificate Program (DEP-C), an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-Coordinated Dietetics Program. Admission to the DEP-C first requires admission to the LDMP track, then successful completion of 29 specified semester hours of the LMDP track with a minimum 3.0 GPA by the DEP-C start date. Students who complete these LMDP requirements are eligible to apply for the DEP-C, although there is not a guarantee of admission into the DEP-C. The DEP-C is a very competitive program and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The DEP-C cohort begins during the fall term, annually.
If admitted to the DEP-C, LMDP students will be required to complete an additional 37 semester hours of coursework and practicum experiences to meet ACEND eligibility requirements to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national credentialing examination to become an RDN. Learn more about the DEP-C. The first step to beginning this process is to apply to the LMDP track.
Admissions Process
The steps below outline the application process for the MS in Nutrition Sciences – Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention Track.
Online Application
Complete the online UAB Graduate School Application. The application fee is $50.
-
Official transcripts
It is highly encouraged that you upload an unofficial copy of your transcript for as many institutions as possible at the time of application. This will speed up the processing time of your application.
Admission to the UAB Graduate School requires a recognized baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree from a regionally accredited (e.g. SACSCOC) college or university, or an international equivalent of a four-year degree. By the start of your first semester, your bachelor's degree must be awarded and appear on your transcript.
Unofficial transcripts may be utilized for the application review process and must be submitted for all post-secondary institutions, including community colleges, high school dual-enrollment, and military credit. During the application process, applicants will have the option to upload an unofficial PDF copy of their transcript(s). If admitted, the Graduate School must receive an official transcript: a) from each post-secondary institution where the student earned a degree and b) for any coursework taken after the awarding of a student’s bachelor’s degree (e.g. as a post-bacc or graduate student).
Official transcripts from each institution where college credit was earned can be submitted electronically to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Paper transcripts bearing a university seal from the issuing school Registrar Official should be mailed to:UAB Graduate School
LHL G03; 1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013 -
Complete prerequisite screening
Complete a
LMDP Screening Form. Indicate prerequisite courses that you have completed. 
Download information about prerequisite courses.- Introductory Biology (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
- Human Physiology (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
- Organic Chemistry (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
- Microbiology (3 credit hours – lab is not required)
- NTR 222 Nutrition and Health (Intro to Nutrition (3 credit hours)
REQUIRED: Email completed LMDP Screening Form and Syllabus for Intro to Nutrition course (if applicable) to Dr. Marian Carter (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) for review and approval. -
Three letters of recommendations
Three letters of recommendation are required. Strong letters of recommendation generally come from the following:
- Current or previous professor
- Professional supervisor
- Professional colleague
Every applicant has unique circumstances. Collectively, your letters of recommendation should attest to your academic ability to complete a rigorous graduate program, your experiences with handling new and challenging situations, examples of your ability to take ownership for your learning, engagement in life-long learning, professionalism, and independence as a self-directed learner. The UAB Graduate School will send an email link to each of your references from the email address that you provide for each reference as part of your UAB Graduate School application. Your letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically by your references directly to the UAB Graduate School.
- Demographic information
- Complete a personal statement
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the four science prerequisite courses listed in the Screening section
- No GRE required
Other Requirements
- You must successfully complete all prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C earned before the program begins. If you do not have a minimum grade of C, it is suggested that you retake the course.
- Exceptions to any admission requirements will be considered on an individual basis by the Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention Program Director, and the LMDP Admissions Committee.
- Applicants with networking experiences in the field of nutrition and dietetics are preferred. These experiences can be paid or unpaid. Please see the networking section below for more information.
Networking
Networking is a very important aspect of learning about a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. There are many opportunities to assist.
- Build relationships with your professors.
- Get involved with your local dietetic association.
- Shadow a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (preferred) or other related health professionals (e.g., Pharmacist, Registered Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, Physician Assistant, Clinical Lab Technician). Strive to obtain quality shadowing experiences where you gain depth of knowledge. Keep in mind that you can have these experiences in a variety of settings, such as in the clinical setting, community setting, or food service setting. Use these experiences to build your professional relationships and to demonstrate depth of unique experiences that make you stand out.
International Applicants
Due to the exclusively online delivery system of the LMDP track, this program is not available to students who desire to pursue their studies while physically present in the US on an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Applicants who are physically present in the US in another immigration status that permits exclusively online study (such as H-4, L-2, TN, pending green card, etc.) are welcome to apply. Please email your current immigration document (USCIS approval or receipt notice, plus most recent I-94 card) to
TThe program expects a cumulative TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, PTEA (Pearson Test of English Academics) score of 53, Duolingo score of 120, or IELA (International English Language Assessment) score of 176.
Request More Info