Admission Requirements

All students must apply through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS). The MPN does not participate in the D&D Digital Internship Computer Match Process. Contact a U.S. Army Health Care Recruiter to begin the qualification process. Visit goarmy.com to contact your local Army Health Care Recruiter. Applicants selected for the program receive a direct commission as an Active-Duty U.S. Army Officer in the Army Medical Specialist Corps. The MPN admission requirements are listed below. All documents are submitted through DICAS. Application packets go before a competitive selection board in accordance with U.S. Army Recruiting Command. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by their local Army Health Care Recruiter.

1. Must complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

Must obtain a bachelor’s degree, nonspecific major, within 10 years of the selection board.
Must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Official Transcript will be submitted through DICAS to assess undergraduate academic performance.
Academic waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

2. Must complete one of the following two options:

A. Complete minimum of 27 hours of pre-requisite coursework with 3.25 GPA

Required Prerequisite Courses*:

3 credits – Introduction to Psychology
3-4 credits – General Chemistry with Lab
3-4 credits – Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
6-8 credits – Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) (Anatomy and Physiology or A&P I & II )
3-4 credits – Microbiology
3 credits – Intro to Statistics
6 credits – Two nutrition classes (i.e., Introduction to Nutrition, Lifespan Nutrition, Advanced Nutrition or Human Nutrition, Vitamins & Minerals, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Community Nutrition, or equivalency approval by MPN)

*Alternate course titles are accepted if course content is similar. For example, General Psychology instead of Introduction to Psychology. Pre-requisite courses are verified prior to selection board.

If courses are taken more than once, the highest grade is utilized.
A waiver is required if the applicant has greater than two pre-requisite courses in-progress at time of the selection board. Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.
All pre-requisite courses must be complete prior to program start date.

B. Complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

Current students will submit a DPD Declaration of Intent to Complete Form to their local Army Health Care Recruiter.

Students who have already completed their DPD will submit a DPD Verification Statement to their local Army Health Care Recruiter.

For either option, applicants still completing coursework or their degree at time of selection board must submit a Deans Letter or Letter from the University:

Deans Letter must identify applicant’s class standing and projected graduation date (or when they are projected to complete their prerequisites if they have already graduated).
Deans Letter does not substitute for a letter of recommendation.

3. Must Complete Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE scores must be completed within five years of the selection board.
Minimum 300 combined score
Minimum of 148 for either verbal reasoning or quantitative reasoning
Minimum 3.5 Analytical Writing
If GRE is taken more than once, the highest combined score is utilized. GRE is required to apply. Waivers for minimum scores are considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. Must Meet U.S. Army Commissioning Requirements:

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
Applicants must be between 21 and 42 years old.
Applicants must be eligible for a Secret security clearance and complete a favorable security background screening.
Applicants must meet the medical screening standards for commissioning. Applicants will complete a physical examination where the Department of Defense screens for certain conditions that may be disqualifying for military service. All applicants must meet height and weight standards to be deemed eligible for commissioning.
Applicants must meet U.S. Army physical fitness standards. For more information, please visit www.army.mil/acft.

5. Must Submit up to Four Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

LOR 1 - From a Professor or Faculty Advisor. This LOR is separate from the Dean's Letter stating the applicant's projected graduation date.
LOR 2 - From a Registered Dietitian.
LOR 3 - From a Professional (i.e., current or previous supervisor, coach, school lead/advisor, etc.). Military applicants must submit a LOR from the first LTC/O5 or higher commander in the applicant's chain of command. Commander's LOR is required in addition to the two LORs required above. Commander should fill out the DICAS characteristics rankings and attach a Memorandum for Record of Endorsement
LOR 4 - Optional; from any approved source

6. Must Submit One-page Statement of Motivation (SOM)

SOM should clearly state why the applicant seeks U.S. Army-Baylor MPN training, motivation for desire to commission as a dietitian in the U.S. Army. SOM should include information on professional, leadership, and volunteer activities, research involvement, and previous military experience as applicable.

7. Must Submit Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Resume/CV should provide summary of education, work/leadership experience, volunteer service, research experience, prior military experience, and additional accomplishments as applicable.

8. Must Complete Telephonic or Virtual Interview

Applicants can expect to receive a telephonic or virtual interview approximately one month prior to the selection board date. A representative from the MPN will contact the applicant to schedule their interview.

9. Special Circumstances

Currently Serving Service Members must obtain a Conditional Letter of Release from their current branch prior to the application deadline.
Currently Serving Officers with greater than eight years Active Federal Commissioned Services (AFCS) by 01 November of the FY the applicant is boarding are ineligible to apply. AFCS waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Army Medical Specialist Corps.
ROTC Cadets are eligible to apply prior to graduation and do not require an approved Education Delay since the MPM is an Active-Duty Program. ROTC Cadets will work with their local Army Health Care Recruiter to apply.

10. Waivers

In individual cases, admission waivers may be available. Waivers allow candidates to compete in the MPN section board. An approved waiver does not guarantee selection.

Highly Recommended

Potential applicants can sign up for a ‘Virtual Program Tour’ through the MPN Baylor website. This tour can better prepare potential applicants for the interview and understand the program requirements. Current instructors and students are available for questions and answers.