University of Michigan

What you'll study

This programme delivers advanced training in medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment and the management of complex clinical conditions across the lifespan. Typical taught modules include advanced clinical nutrition and metabolic care, nutrition across the lifecycle, nutritional biochemistry and metabolism, pharmacology for nutrition practitioners, research methods and statistics, and public health nutrition. Students also study health behaviour change, ethics and professional practice, and may take elective modules in areas such as oncology nutrition, critical care nutrition, paediatric nutrition or foodservice systems.

A central component is supervised clinical practice. Students complete a series of clinical rotations in inpatient and outpatient settings — including medical-surgical, intensive care, renal, oncology and community nutrition placements — to develop hands-on skills in assessment, care planning and interdisciplinary teamwork. The programme commonly offers a choice between a research-based thesis or a practicum capstone project, allowing students to pursue clinical scholarship or applied service development.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, typically in nutrition, dietetics, biology, chemistry or another relevant health science. Required prerequisite coursework usually includes human anatomy and physiology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and introductory nutrition. Admission normally requires a competitive academic record, a personal statement describing professional goals, at least two academic or professional references, and a CV.

Successful applicants demonstrate evidence of relevant experience, such as volunteer or work placements in healthcare, community nutrition or foodservice settings, and strong communication and interpersonal skills. International applicants must meet the University of Michigan's English language proficiency requirements. Specific prerequisite lists and GPA expectations are provided by the programme's admissions office and should be reviewed before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles as clinical dietitians in hospitals, outpatient clinics and specialised care units, supporting patient care teams with nutrition assessment, intervention and monitoring. Other common career paths include paediatric and neonatal nutrition, renal nutrition, oncology and critical‑care nutrition, diabetes education, and community or public health nutrition programmes.

Alumni also move into roles in healthcare management, nutrition policy, industry (product development, medical nutrition), education, and research. For those who wish to become credentialed as registered dietitians, the programme's combination of coursework and supervised practice is designed to meet the academic and experiential requirements needed to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam in the United States.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers a research‑intensive environment with close links to Michigan Medicine, providing access to diverse clinical placements and interprofessional teamwork with physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. Students benefit from faculty who are active in clinical research, translational nutrition science and healthcare improvement projects.

The programme emphasises experiential learning and provides resources such as simulation training, community engagement opportunities and connections to nutrition research centres and public health initiatives. The broader university environment also gives access to multidisciplinary collaborations, professional development services and a large alumni network in healthcare and academia.