Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about the Master of Science, Clinical Nutrition program
Cost and Financial Aid
General Application
Pacific MSCN Pre-Requisite Courses
Slate
GPA
GRE
Admissions Process
Other Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about the Master of Science, Clinical Nutrition program

How long is the program?

This program is designed to be completed in four consecutive trimesters (16 calendar months). The required 1,110 supervised clinical practice experiential hours are integrated included in the program.

Is the program accredited?

The 老司机福利网 Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program is the first program in California that has been granted the full accrediation status for Graduate Program (GP) in Nutrition and Dietetics by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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Are courses online or in-person?

Most of Pacific's MSCN courses are delivered via in-person classroom instruction on our Sacramento campus. There are hybrid courses (a combination of in-person and online instruction). The Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) courses (NUTR 287A&B) occur at clinical education sites throughout California and some out-of-state facilities.

Do I have to locate my own supervised experiential learning sites and/or preceptors?

No. The MSCN program is responsible for identifying SPCE clinical education sites and preceptors and creates the rotation schedule for each student depending on site availability and student needs. It is not the student's responsibility to secure clinical placements. However, students are responsible for making arrangements for their housing and/or commuting plans to assigned clinical education sites at the students鈥� expense.

Can I complete my supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) rotations near my hometown?

The MSCN program determines clinical education site placements for each trimester depending on site availability, preceptor availability, and student needs. While students鈥� interests and residence location are elicited and reviewed, the MSCN program cannot guarantee placements near their residences. MSCN students can expect to be placed at clinical education sites throughout California. Out-of-state placements can also be considered and discussed with the student at facilities affiliated with Pacific. The program aims to provide adequate notice of placements so students can make their arrangements for commuting or temporary housing, which is at the student鈥檚 expense.

Cost and Financial Aid

How much does it cost to attend the MSCN program?

Our program provides a helpful at-a-glance summary of Tuition and Estimated Expenses. Excluding living expenses, which vary by student (housing/meals/transportation), our program expenses are approximately $71,057 for the 16-month program.

What kind of financial aid is available?

Financial aid packages are tailored to each individual's qualifications and program of study. Students will receive financial aid information once they are admitted and have accepted admission to the program. Applicants can contact the Office of Financial Aid department at 916.739.7158 or finaid@pacific.edu for answers to specific financial aid questions.

Are scholarships available?

The MSCN Program has different scholarships available. Please get in touch with the program director for more information.

Do you offer teaching or graduate assistantships?

At present, teaching or graduate assistantships are not available.

General Application

Is it possible for me to visit the campus and talk with an advisor?

Our program offers information sessions and webinars throughout the year to help answer prospective student questions and tour our facilities. See our .

What is the deadline for submitting my application?

Our program is rolling admissions, so we review applications continuously. We publish a priority deadline, ensuring your application is considered first. Students who apply after the priority deadline will be admitted on a space-available basis.

Do I need to submit an application to DICAS (Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services)?

Yes. Our program鈥檚 code is 1715G. 

I am currently enrolled in an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and am still completing my program's final quarter/semester. Can I still apply?

Yes. DPD students must submit a Declaration of Intent to Complete form signed by their DPD program director with their application in DICAS.

Do you offer admission in the spring semester?

No. Due to the prescriptive nature of our program, we only admit new cohort of students in the fall trimester.

Do I need to submit official transcripts to Slate and Pacific when I apply?

You only need to submit official transcripts to DICAS during the application process.

Pacific MSCN Pre-Requisite Courses

I am a student from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Do I still have to enter my courses in the DICAS Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Coursework section?

DPD and non-DPD students must complete DICAS' Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Coursework section. The cumulative GPA of all Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Courses is used as the program鈥檚 Admission Requirement and must be 3.00 or higher.

I still have Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Courses that I need to complete. Does Pacific offer these courses?

Yes, Pacific offers majority of these prerequisite courses on its main campus in Stockon, CA. If interested, please contact the Program Director for more information. 

Alternatively, you may complete these courses from any accredited college/university. For example,  offers online courses where non-degree-seeking students can take a class without enrolling in a program.

When do I have to complete all of my Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Courses to start the program in the Fall?

All Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Courses must be completed as evidenced by official transcripts submitted before the program start date. Students cannot concurrently be finishing up prerequisite courses once the program has started.

Is the Food Preparation course I鈥檝e already completed equivalent to Pacific鈥檚 prerequisite Experimental Foods course?

It depends. Please contact the Program Director for review and confirmation.

Can I count my Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) course for both the Macronutrient and Micronutrient Pacific MSCN Course Prerequisites?

This is a good question and often depends on your program's curriculum 鈥� and whether you are completing quarter or semester courses. Different programs also call these courses different names (for example, MNT, human nutrition, advanced nutrition). In general, you can only apply one of your courses completed towards one Pacific MSCN prerequisite course (you can鈥檛 list a single course to count as two prerequisites). You will need to carefully review the Course Descriptions and Course Objectives from your Course Catalog or class syllabi to determine which courses address macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism, and your department or major advisor may also be able to offer guidance on which of your courses best fulfill these prerequisites. If you still have questions, please get in touch with us at nutrition@pacific.edu.

DICAS

Where do I go to access the DICAS application?

Go to the  website.

Do I have to submit a personal statement?

You are welcome but do not have to submit a personal statement in your DICAS application. However, you will need to submit responses to three short essay questions.

Is there a word limit for the Pacific MSCN short essay questions?

Each short essay should be no more than 300 words. 

What is a priority deadline?

A priority deadline ensures that your application is considered first. Students who apply after the priority deadline will be admitted on a space-available basis.

My application status still says "RECEIVED." Did I make the priority deadline?

To meet our Priority application deadline, your DICAS application needs to have a status of "RECEIVED." Note that your application must be submitted to DICAS by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the deadline date to be considered "on time." 

What if my supporting documents (transcript, letters, etc.) don't get to DICAS by the priority deadline?

DICAS will continue to accept items (e.g. test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) and the program will review applications on a space-available basis. Until June 30. 

GPA

Which GPA is used for Pacific鈥檚 MSCN program Admission Requirements, and what minimum GPA is required to apply?

The GPA for Admission Requirements is the cumulative GPA of all Pacific MSCN prerequisite courses.  The cumulative GPA of all Pacific MSCN prerequisite courses must be 3.00 or higher. Please contact Pacific鈥檚 Graduate Admissions if you need assistance calculating your GPA. This GPA is also calculated in DICAS.

GRE Exam

Is the GRE required?

The GRE is not required for admission. 

Admissions Process

When will I find out if I was admitted?

A decision letter can be expected within 15 days of completing your application (applications submitted and all supplemental materials received). The MSCN program's goal is to make admission decisions as soon as possible to provide applicants with sufficient time to make their graduate school plans. 

If admitted to the program, when will I need to make my decision?

Applicants who complete their applications by February 15 can expect our admission decision by March 1. Application decisions (to accept or decline our offer of admission) are due by March 15. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required when confirming our offer of admission. 

Those who apply after February 15 are required to make their decision within two weeks of receiving the admission offer.

The Graduate School notified me that I have received Conditional Admission. What does this mean?

Conditional Admission applies to students who have not completed (or are not currently enrolled in) an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and who have not yet completed all Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Courses. Once the student has completed all Pacific MSCN Prerequisite Courses with a grade 鈥淐鈥� or above and provided official transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions, your conditional admission status will be changed to admitted.

What happens if I'm placed on the waiting list?

If you are placed on the waiting list, you will be asked to let our program know whether or not you want to remain on the waiting list by writing us at nutrition@pacific.edu. The admissions committee will meet and review those who remain on the waiting list and will begin notifying students on the waiting list as space becomes available.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

When do classes begin?

Classes typically begin the last Monday in August for the fall trimester.

Is it possible for me to work my full-time job while in your program?

This is an accelerated cohort-based program requiring more than 40 hours per week of committed time. Even part-time work may be challenging based on the rigorous curriculum and full-time course schedule. We highly discourage students from working while enrolled so students cannot work a full-time job concurrently. Students who choose to work while enrolled must disclose to the program as early as possible. The program does not accommodate students鈥� work schedule.