IPND FAQs

We do not have a required minimum for GRE scores. We encourage all candidates to apply, as the committee looks at the overall application when making admission decisions, and does not use any single criteria (e.g., GPA or GRE score) to determine admission to the program.

NOTE: The GRE is not required for applicants with a graduate degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian university.

International students are required to have their transcripts evaluated into the US system. Please note while we will evaluate your transcripts for courses we believe you have fulfilled, you will not have final approval on transferred courses until you have formally applied to Hunter.

If you have already taken a graduate level course that is the same as a course in the program, upon admission you will be offered the opportunity to apply for exemption by submitting a detailed syllabus of the course you have taken. Courses will be evaluated for equivalence to our classes provided they were taken during the past 5 years with a grade of B or better. You will be required to demonstrate that the course you completed was equivalent to the course we offer by taking and passing a Challenge Exam.

Prerequisite courses must be completed by July of the application year. However, we require students to have completed or registered for at least five of the seven prerequisite courses (General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Intro to Nutrition, Foods I, Statistics) prior to applying (typically the deadline is March 15). Qualified students will receive a conditional offer of acceptance as long as they can offer a feasible schedule for completion of their prerequisite course work. Accepted students who fail to complete all prerequisites will not be allowed to enter the program.

A complete DICAS application must be submitted by February 15. Applicants will be notified of an admissions decision no later than March 1.

We expect to receive around 100 applications and accept up to 35 students per year.

The department objectively evaluates each applicant using a point system. Grade point averages for science and other prerequisite courses, as well as overall GPA are considered. Quality of personal statement, letters of recommendation are also extremely important. Scores on the GRE exam are also considered. Applicants with the highest admissions points are accepted into the program, and the remaining qualified applicants will be placed on an alternate list. In the event that any of the accepted students are unable to enter the program, an alternate will be offered a position in the program.

We have a unique applicant pool each year, so it is difficult to make generalizations. However, based on applications received in the past, all students must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale to be considered for admission to the IPND. Due to the competitive nature of our programs, we cannot accept every student who applies. We encourage students to apply to other accredited nutrition programs to provide a back-up options in case we are unable to extend an offer of acceptance at Hunter.

Yes. The IPND offers a 3-year (part-time) option.

A minimum of 2 letters are required, however we will accept no more than 3 in total.

Various scholarship and loan programs are available through Hunter to help qualified graduate students meet their financial obligations. Please see the Office of Financial Aid website.

General Chemistry is a prerequisite for Organic Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology. The General Chemistry course you take must be the appropriate prerequisite for an Organic Chemistry course (each must have a lab component and be at least 4 credits). The A&P course sequence must be Human Anatomy and Physiology and it must be a year-long, 2-part sequence. All courses must meet the minimum credits outlined above. It is preferred if the NFS courses can be taken at Hunter or by Challenge Exam.

Yes. Virtual information sessions are offered monthly. Please view our Events Calendar for more information.