Graduate Competency Exams

Graduate Competency Exams are required of all graduate students (classified and conditional).

There are four different exams. To complete requirements for the M.S. degree, you are required to pass two of these exams. The content of each exam is based on courses identified in the NuFS undergraduate curriculum (or equivalent courses). Exception: students who are already Registered Dietitians may be exempt from one of the two exams; see Graduate Competency Exams for the Registered Dietitian for details.

The exam choices depend on your graduate program objective, and are selected in consultation with your faculty advisor. See Graduate Competency Exams for Specific Objectives. (NOTE: The internal dietetic internship requires a third exam,  multiple choice portion only.) 

It is strongly recommended that you (if qualified) complete one exam at the second semester enrolled OR no later than the end of the first year. The purpose of the exams is to evaluate your basic knowledge in nutrition, food science, foodservice management, and/or packaging.

If you receive less than 80% on an exam, you will need to retake the exam. Each exam may only be taken a maximum of two times. Students who fail a second time will not be continued in the M.S. program in Nutritional Science. The exams are scheduled each semester just prior to the beginning of classes. The time and place of the exams are posted near CCB 200 and CCB 105. Also, you will need to meet with the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Panfilo Belo regarding the exams and your readiness to write the exams.

1. If course content is complete at the time of admission, you should complete the exams as soon as possible, or by the beginning of your third semester.

2. If course content was not complete at the time of admission, you should take the exams as soon as the course work is completed.

To take an exam, you must notify the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Belo, in writing (include your phone number) before the last instruction day of the semester prior to the exam and indicate the exam(s) to be written. If you decide to withdraw from an exam, it is necessary to notify Dr. Belo in writing one week prior to the exam date. Failure to withdraw will count as a FAILURE on the exam(s). To help you prepare for the exam(s), a list of textbooks and copies of the green sheets (course syllabi) and course outlines are available in CCB 200. See Xuan ("Swan") Duong Francis, Department Coordinator, or call (408) 924-3100.