Master of Public Health in Dietetics

The MPH Coordinated Program in Dietetics (Dietetics option) combines the coursework and supervised practice requirements to become eligible to take the national examination to become a Registered Dietitian after graduation. To review the Student Handbook and learn more about the program, policies and procedures, a comprehensive list of student resources and other relevant information about the Dietetics option, please contact the Program Director, Renee Barrile by email:  Renee_Barrile@uml.edu. 

A complete degree pathway for the program can be found in the UMass Lowell Online Academic Catalog.

The mission of the program is to promote public health nutrition by preparing graduates to practice as entry level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists with knowledge, competence, and the ability to address the needs of diverse communities. 

Program Goals and Outcome Measures for the MPH Dietetics Option

Goal #1: To prepare graduates for a successful entry-level position as a Registered Dietitian. Expected outcomes and target measures:

• The program's one year pass rate on the Registration Examination for Dietitians, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, is at least 80%
• At least 80% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for RD's within 12 months of program completion.
• At least 80% of students admitted to the Dietetics program will complete the program within 3 years from beginning the program (150 percent time of the program length).
• Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to a graduate exit survey will respond "yes" when asked if the program prepared them for their future career goals.

Goal #2: To prepare graduates to be life-long learners who seek opportunities for personal and professional growth. Expected outcomes and target measures:

• At least 75% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will report being a member of a local or national professional group.
• At least 90% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will indicate that they have participated in post-graduation training related to their profession.
• At least 40% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will indicate that they are preceptors.

Goal #3: To prepare graduates who are competent to address the health and nutrition needs of diverse populations. Expected outcomes and target measures:

• At least 40% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey, and sought employment in dietetics, will be working with diverse populations.
• At least 80% of employers who respond to an employer survey will rate graduates as acceptable or higher in their ability to work with diverse populations.
• At least 80% of graduates who respond to a graduate exit survey will indicate that they were well prepared to address the health and nutrition needs of diverse populations.
• At least 80% of employers who respond to an employer survey will rate graduates as acceptable or higher in their preparedness to practice as entry level RD's.

To request program outcome data, please contact:
Program Director Renee Barrile, RD, Ph.D.
Email: Renee_Barrile@uml.edu
Telephone: 978-934-4457

The Dietetics option is an accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics, which is a highly regarded degree option that combines the academic and supervised practice experience to qualify graduates to become Registered Dietitians (RD). 

The 1200 hours of supervised practice are integrated into the curriculum and are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as RDNs upon successful completion of the registration exam. Students will have rotations in organizations that specialize in community nutrition, public health, food service management, and clinical nutrition. Public Health Nutrition is the concentration of the Dietetics option, and Lowell and the surrounding communities have an abundance of programs that promote nutrition to diverse populations. 

Major Partners 

Some examples of our major partners include: Genesis Health Care, Lowell General Hospital, The Lowell Community Health Center, The Lowell Boys and Girls Club, Mill City Grows and The UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program. 

• Genesis Health Care, one of the largest providers of senior care in the nation, has more than 400 locations across the country, including two sites in Lowell that provide long term care and rehabilitation services. 
• Lowell General Hospital is an independent, not-for- profit community hospital serving the Greater Lowell area and surrounding communities. 
• The Lowell Community Health Center has many programs and services including nutrition counseling and education for all ages, WIC, health educator training sessions, immigrant and refugee health services, and in-school health services for teens. 
• The Lowell Boys and Girls Club offers programs and initiatives to help youth achieve and maintain healthy, active lifestyles. They also offer a meal and snack daily for school aged members. 
• Mill City Grows improves physical health, economic independence and environmental sustainability in Lowell through increased access to land, locally-grown food, and education. They offer a mobile food market, build-a-garden workshops, community and urban gardening programs, and educational programs.
• The UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program in Lawrence provides individuals, families, and communities with the knowledge and skills for healthier eating through research-based nutrition education. Their program includes two research-based programs, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the SNAP-Ed program. 

UMass Lowell also has several sites for supervised practice right on campus. These campus connections will give our dietetics students many opportunities to help promote healthy nutrition on campus.

• Food service rotations will take place at three different dining sites operated by Aramark. 
• The University also has a Health Services division that offers health and wellness counseling for students. 
• Additionally, there are two on-campus recreation centers that offer many programs designed to promote health among students, faculty, and staff. 
• The newly renovated Health Assessment Lab offers numerous opportunities to perform interdisciplinary research and education while integrating the fields represented in the College of Health Sciences including biomedical engineering, clinical laboratory science, ergonomics, exercise physiology, nutrition, nursing and physical therapy. 

The UMass Lowell MPH Coordinated Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). 

Accreditation includes self-analysis, preparation of a self-study report, and an on-site evaluation visit by a team of professional peers. Dietetics educators and practitioners, appointed by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) board, participate in the peer review process to determine if a program is achieving its own educational objectives and meeting the accreditation standards. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetics 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 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 MPH Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to be a RDN.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Tel: (312) 899-0040 ext 5400/Fax: (312) 899-4817

https://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND

You must complete the didactic and supervised practice requirements at an accredited program, pass the National Registration exam, and complete the required Continuing Education Units. Successful completion of the Coordinated Program at UMass Lowell fulfills the didactic and supervised practice requirements. 

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 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 at the University of Massachusetts Lowell are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics web page for more information about educational pathways to become a RDN.

To become licensed in the State of Massachusetts (LDN) and Other States: The majority of states have enacted laws that regulate the practice of dietetics in order to protect the public. State licensure and state certification are entirely separate and distinct from the RD and DTR credentials. The Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists in the State of Massachusetts oversees the standards and licensing of dietitians and nutritionists in Massachusetts. Information about state licensure can be found online at: Dietitiansnutritionistsboard@mass.gov or by calling 617-727-9940. The Board accepts the CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) internship and examination as equivalent to the statutory requirements for professional experience and a Board-administered examination. Once you successfully complete this program and pass the RDN exam, and are registered with CDR, make sure you use the Application for Registered Dietitians that may be downloaded on the Applications and Forms page of the licensing website. While licensure is not required in the State of Massachusetts, many employers in Massachusetts, such as hospitals, require dietitians to be licensed with the Commonwealth. Additionally, many insurers require licensure as a condition for inclusion on panels and for reimbursement. Forty- seven state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia currently have statutory provisions regulating the dietetics profession or associated titles such as dietitian and nutritionist. Information on state licensure and certification is provided on the CDR website as a service to dietetics professionals and state licensure boards. 

Review the most recent tuition and fees for graduate programs. 

In the MPH in Dietetics program, additional fees include:

• Summer supervised practice (one-time fee)  
• Estimated books and supplies  
• Estimated travel expenses for supervised practice
• ServSafe Certification (if not already certified) 
• Academy membership
• EHR Go (one-time fee)

Additional annual costs depending on your living situation and health insurance needs.

• Estimated housing expenses 
• Estimated health insurance (if not already covered) 

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more at UMass Lowell Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit Financial Aid if you have questions about your eligibility.

All Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences master’s and doctoral applicants must submit:

1. An application
2. An application fee
3. A statement of purpose
4. Letters of recommendation
5. Official transcripts
6. Official test score report
   1. Language scores
   2. GRE only required for two doctoral programs
      
      1. Public Health (Doctor of Science - Sc.D.)
      2. Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy - DPT)
7. Resume (if applicable)

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents, log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Nursing and Public Health applicants should submit supporting documents directly to Graduate Admissions. Please note, the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.

Program Specific Application Notes

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences: The program accepts applications for Fall admission. The priority deadline is Feb. 15. To be considered for admission, all required documents including transcripts, evaluation reports & letters of recommendation must be received by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline, if there are openings, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Successful completion of the following subjects is required: Biochemistry, Calculus, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology or Anatomy & Physiology. Up to two of these courses may be completed within the first year of the master's program.
• Master of Public Health (MPH): Submitting GRE scores is optional for the admissions to the MPH Program. All MPH programs require a semester of statistics and a semester of either biology or anatomy & physiology with a grade of C or higher (if missing, the program can work with you to complete these within the first year). Dietetics applicants are required to complete the above courses in addition to the following courses with a B- or higher: Human Nutrition, Microbiology, Food Service, Nutrition and Metabolism, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Psychology or Sociology or Anthropology. 
• Doctor of Physical Therapy Applicants: All documents in support of an application (e.g. letters of recommendation, official transcripts, official GRE scores, etc.) are due at our annual deadline of November 1 to the Office of Graduate Admissions. No more that 2 (two) pre-requisite courses may be missing at the time of our application deadline to remain eligible for full consideration (courses which are in-progress are considered missing). Each newly accepted cohort immediately begins matriculation the subsequent Summer term. (i.e. mid-May). Note: The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UMass Lowell utilizes the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service, known as PTCAS. Prospective applicants must apply online using the PTCAS application portal.
• Master of Nursing: The priority deadline is March 1 for summer and fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): The priority deadline is March 1 for summer and fall admission and December 30 for spring admission.
• MS Applied Biomedical Science: Applicants to this program must complete biochemistry with at grade of C or higher to qualify for admission.
• All other graduate programs have rolling admissions policies. We encourage you to apply at the earliest to increase your chance of being considered for merit awards.

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal. Visit the Bachelor's to Master's page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are only being accepted using the online process. Instructions are included in the online application link.

Tips for accessing and completing the online application:

• Capitalize your proper name.
• Once the form is submitted, changes can only be made by calling the Office of Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390.

Please note:Current UML Exercise Science majors can apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program through our Graduate Admissions application.

Summer 2025- Spring 2026 Applications

• Apply for Physical Therapy (Available June 2025)
• Apply for Nursing & Public Health
• Apply for All Other Programs

2. Application Fee⁠

Physical Therapy Applications - PTCAS charges an application fee, which they sometimes refers to as a supplemental fee. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions. 

Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Applications - The application fee is $50.00 for each application (except Physical Therapy) and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

Submit Supporting Documents for Nursing & Public Health

4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's applicants will need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to submit three (3) letters of recommendation for all programs except for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, which requires 2. You will be asked to provide (names and email addresses) references during the application process, and an automated request will be sent out after the completion of your application. Alternatively, you may use the graduate admissions recommendation form (pdf) to request letters of recommendations.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. Please use the recommendation form for these.

Submit Supporting Documents for Nursing & Public Health

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Transcripts should be sent in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Graduate Admissions
Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts that do not clearly indicate to the Office of Graduate Admissions that you have received a four-year bachelor’s degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree must be demonstrated before an application will be processed. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee at:

Center for Educational Documentation, Inc.
P.O. Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Telephone: 617-338-7171
Fax: 617-338-7101
Center for Educational Documentation website
World Education Services website

6. Official Test Score Report(s) test-score

The following programs require a GRE for admission consideration:

• Public Health (Sc.D.)
• Physical Therapy (DPT)

All programs require the minimum language scores needed for acceptance:

• TOEFL minimum 79
• IELTS minimum 6.5
• Duolingo minimum 115

Request that the appropriate agency send an official test score report for the GRE or GMAT to the Office of Graduate Admissions. UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911. Get more information about standardized tests on our Admissions Standards webpage.

7. Resume

The programs listed below require a resume for admission consideration:

• Applied Biomedical Sciences (MS)
• Health Information Management (MS)
• Health Informatics (Graduate Certificate)
• Health Service Management (Graduate Certificate)
• Nursing (MS)
• Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Nursing (Ph.D.)
• Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS)
• Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ph.D.)
• Public Health (ScD)

Submit Supporting Documents for Nursing & Public Health

All others, if you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents:

• log in to your application portal (links vary),
• click on “Program Materials” to update your application.

Please note, the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.

For information about application to the MPH program:
Courtney Bibbo
Associate Director, GPS Recruitment
Phone: 978-934-6937
Email: Courtney_Bibbo@uml.edu

For information about program costs, financial aid and registering for classes:
The Solution Center
Phone: 978-934-2000
Email: TheSolutionCenter@uml.edu
The Solution Center website

For information about visas and immigration:
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
Phone: 978-934-2383
Email: ISSO@uml.edu
ISSO website

For general questions about Graduate Studies at UMass Lowell:
Graduate Student Services
Phone: 978-934-2474
Email: Graduate_StudentSuccess@uml.edu
Graduate Student Services website

For questions about the MPH in Dietetics academic program:
Renee Barrile, Ph.D. 
Associate Teaching Professor, MPH Dietetics Program Director
Phone: 978-934-4457
Email: Renee_Barrile@uml.edu