Pre-Dietetics
Start your journey to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Take Prerequisites Courses.
University of Nebraska Lincoln offers the classes you need to apply for a registered dietitian nutritionist program while earning your bachelor’s degree. See the list below for a brief overview of required prerequisite courses.
Get Experience.
Start building your shadowing and volunteer hours to be a more competitive dietitian school applicant. Don’t forget to keep track of your hours!
Talk to an Advisor Each Semester.
There’s a lot of coordination and planning that needs to happen to make sure you do everything you need before professional school. The Explore Center’s advisors are here to help you navigate this journey. Meet with an advisor today to get a personalized 4-year pre-dietetics plan!
Pre-Dietetics Roadmap at UNL
Dietetics Prerequisite Classes
Depending on the school you plan to attend, you may need additional prerequisite courses. Meet with an advisor for more information.
Typical Dietetics School Requirements
Biology – 1 semester
Microbiology or Food Safety & Sanitation – 1 semester
Physiology - 1 semester
Biochemistry - 1 semester
Chemistry – 1 semester (2 semesters to move on to organic chemistry)
Organic Chemistry – 1 semester
Psychology – 1 semester
Nutrition – 1 semester
Food Science or Food Preparation (UNL only) - 1 semester
Advanced Nutrition or Nutrient Metabolism – 1 semester
Medical Nutrition Therapy – 1 semester (UNMC) or 2 semesters (UNL)
What to Take at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Some classes require prerequisites. Meet with an advisor for help planning your courses.
Biology – BIOS 101/101L or LIFE 120/120L
Microbiology or Food Safety & Sanitation – BIOS 111 or BIOS 312* or NUTR 372
Physiology – BIOS 213/213L
Biochemistry - BIOC 401 or BIOC 431*
Chemistry – CHEM 109A/L & 110A/L or CHEM 113A/L & 114
Organic Chemistry – CHEM 251/253 or 261/263
Psychology – PSYC 181
Nutrition – NUTR 250
Food Science or Food Preparation – NUTR 344
Advanced Nutrition or Nutrient Metabolism – NUTR 455
Medical Nutrition Therapy – NUTR 450 and 452
Suggested Sequencing
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
** Take the GRE 10-12 months before you intend to start the professional program | |
Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
*Sequence may vary from above depending on declared major requirements
The above courses fulfill the entrance requirements for the Graduate Programs in Nutrition and Dietetics (GP) at UNMC and UNL. Students who are considering other GP programs are encouraged to contact those schools directly for a list of entrance requirements.
Other Notes:
- GPA requirements: A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for both UNMC and UNL. A grade of C- or above is required for all prerequisite courses.
- Math/Science Requirement: Courses with an asterisk* require additional course sequencing in math or science to meet prerequisites for other required courses. For example, students must take LIFE 121/121L to take BIOS 312 or BIOC 431. See your pre-health advisor for course sequence information.
- AP/IB: UNMC’s and UNL’s programs will accept AP credit for prerequisite requirements. IB will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Extracurricular Involvement and Activities:
Pursuing a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist requires more than just coursework. Your extracurricular activities, employment, and volunteering activities will contribute greatly to your success in this field. See an Explore Center Advisor to plan extracurricular activities that will prepare you for this program.
Application and Admission
Application: Application information for both UNMC and UNL will be found on those program’s websites.
Entrance exam: Some schools require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Information about the GRE can be obtained at https://www.ets.org/gre
Additional admission requirements: Both UNMC and UNL require letters of recommendation from professors; short answer question and/or personal narrative; and a resume.