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Nutrition and Dietetics Profession

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is the accrediting agency for educational programs to prepare students for professional credentials in nutrition and dietetics. Specialty accreditation is necessary to assure that the education and training received by students meets quality standards and to guarantee that students from any accredited program have been taught the same foundational knowledge requirements. See the ACEND website for more details on this process.

What You'll Study

You’ll gain a solid foundation in applied nutrition, nutrition education, public policy, and advocacy, nutrition therapy, leadership and management, and food production. This program creates a pathway to pursue other graduate programs such as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Medical Doctor, Master of Science in Nutrition with the option of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, Athletic Training, and Exercise and Sports Science.

This program exposes you to the essential principles of dietetics, nutrition and biomedical sciences. Our curriculum provides a strong foundation in anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology along with an applied focus in human nutrition and health, which dietetics practice, community nutrition programming, and food service management.

The program offers a broad base of interests and potential career outcomes such as education, food services, industry, research, and professional school. This program also carries a specialty accreditation, as a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and it complies with the 2022 ACEND Accreditation Standards For Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Programs (DPD)

Students gain an academic foundation as a first step in one professional pathway to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Graduates of this program receive a verification statement and qualify to apply for ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs which leads to the registration examination for dietitians provided by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Verification statements also allow graduates to take the credentialing exam for nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered (NDTR) without obtaining further training. This is para-professional certification within the nutrition and dietetics profession that has many employment opportunities as well.

Requirements for a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Program graduates who pursue the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential must follow these required steps:

1. Earn a graduate degree from U.S. regionally-accredited university or college and course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program
3. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

Matching to an Internship

The majority of dietetic internship programs partake in computer matching through DICAS and D&D Digital. The dietetic internship match is a computer-based method that matches the preferences of applicants with the preferences of the dietetic internship program directors. Applicants must register online for computer matching and pay a $65 computer matching fee to D&D Digital. D&D Digital can be accessed through the following link: http://www.dnddigital.com . During the months of April and October, students learn if they receive a dietetic internship match to one of their ranked programs. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) provides the most updated information regarding internship programs. Visit the website for a listing of each program and information on cost, length of internship, internship director, and area of specialization. The AND website also provides a direct website link to the individual programs so students can access detailed information about the program.

Students also have the option of pursuing a Future Graduate Program (FG), offered in our department as the Master of Science in Nutrition, Professional Practice Concentration (MS-RDN). For a complete listing of all FG program, please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

Requirements for a Registered Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR)

Graduates from this DPD program are eligible to take a national exam to earn the Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) credentials. The process is guided by the Commission of Dietetic Registration. Graduates completing a baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally-accredited college/university, or foreign equivalent, and completion of an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics are eligible for this outcome. This option is open to all graduates who receive a Verification Statement upon program completion. Additional information and forms can be found at https://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/dietetic-technician-registered-dtr-certification 

Program Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (Didactic Program in Dietetics) is to prepare students for pursuit of advanced degrees and various careers in the field of nutrition and dietetics through an innovative, engaging program which integrates fundamental concepts in nutrition sciences, human health promotion and disease prevention, research trends, practical skills, and professional communication techniques.

Program Goals

Program Goal 1: Prepare graduates for acceptance into a supervised practice program or graduate school

Program Goal 2: Prepare graduates for a career in the field of nutrition and dietetics

Program Objectives

Program Objectives for Goal 1:

1. Program Completion: At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 72 months or 6 years (150% of the program length).

2. Graduate Application and Acceptance into Supervised Practice:

1. At least 30% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
2. Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.

3. Graduate Performance on Registration Exam: The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who take and pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Program Objectives for Goal 2:

1. Satisfaction with Graduate Performance: At least 70% of employers surveyed will rate the program graduate’s performance and level of graduate’s preparation for an entry-level position and overall performance in the position at 3 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 5, 5 is highest) within 12 months of graduation.

2. At least 70% of graduates who respond to the alumni survey after one year will indicate a mean satisfaction rating of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being highest) with their level of preparation for their employment or graduate program.