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Students in the Nutrition Major with a Dietetic Concentration will complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the . This dietetic concentration is for students who want to become registered dietitians.

An individual must complete a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health degree from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University's accredited didactic program, be accepted into and complete a graduate program with an accredited dietetic internship, and pass the registration examination for dietitians. The ACEND-accredited education programs and supervised practice that lead to the registered dietitian examination have requirements set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Students will need to have a master's degree in order to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist after January 1, 2024. For more information see your academic advisor.

IMPORTANT ADVISING INFORMATION: The Nutrition/Dietetic program is a competitive program. A minimum grade expectation of a “C” or better is strongly encouraged, especially in the sciences: BIO 161, CHM 141, 144, 142, 145, 231, and MBI 111. Competitive dietetic internship applicants will have an overall 3.0 GPA or higher.

Read the Didactic Program in the Dietetics Student Handbook

Outstanding Outcomes

• 100% of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University dietetic students who applied for post-baccalaureate dietetic internships were accepted into programs in 2022.
• ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Nutrition Alumni surveyed responded that 100% felt they had received an excellent education.
• ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University dietetic students' average three-year pass-rate on the registration examination within one year of first attempt taking the exam is 97%, which meets the ACEND requirements with commendation (Source: CDR data 2020-2022).
• ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University dietetic student placement in internships is 100% versus a national placement average of 70% (Source: ACEND Data).

Mission and Goals

The mission of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Dietetics Program is to prepare competent Dietetic practitioners and to contribute to the teaching, research, and service mission of the university, division, and department.

The program seeks to align with the mission of the College of Education, Health, and Society by aligning with its six core values:

1. Embracing diversity
2. Building community
3. Cultivating collaboration
4. Thinking critically
5. Creating knowledge and
6. Promoting well-being

Program Goal 1

Prepare qualified entry-level dietitians for careers in dietetics.

• Objective 1.1  Within one year of completing the program, 85% of the graduates will be placed in a graduate program with a dietetic internship, graduate school, or employed.
• Objective 1.2  Graduate programs with dietetic internship directors (over a five year period) will rate 80% of   ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University graduates in their program as satisfactory or higher in all survey categories.
• Objective 1.3  85% of dietetic graduates rating of the program (over a five year period) will be satisfactory or higher.
• Objective 1.4  85% of current dietetic students will rate the dietetic program (over a five year period) satisfactory or higher. 

Program Goal 2

Students will demonstrate a commitment to professional leadership and
community service.

• Objective 2.1  85% of dietetic students will participate in a professional organization.
• Objective 2.2  85% of current dietetic students will participate in at least one nutrition community service project before graduation.
• Objective 2.3  80% of test takers on the Commission on Dietetic Registration Examination will pass within one year of first attempt taking the exam.
• Objective 2.4  85% of students enrolled in the Dietetic Program complete the program requirements within 150% of the time planned for completion.

Program outcome data is available upon request.

Accreditation

The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is accredited by the (ACEND).

Accreditation by ACEND ensures that graduates are eligible to apply to and, upon acceptance enter into a supervised practice program in Dietetic. Completing a supervised practice leads to eligibility to take the exam to earn Registered Dietitian Nutritionist status.

ACEND® can be contacted by:

Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Phone: 800/877-1600 ext. 5400
Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite #2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
 

Licensure Information

Graduates of the DPD program who earn their NDTR credential or go on to earn their RDN credential and want to practice as Dietitians/Nutritionists may need to apply for licensure before they are eligible to practice dietetics/nutrition. Licensing statutes include an explicitly defined scope of practice, and the performance of the profession is illegal without first obtaining a license. A list of the states that require licensure is available on the Commission on Dietetic Registration website at .

Student Grievances

Student grievances about academic concerns should first be addressed with a faculty member or instructor. If the problem is not resolved, the student should then discuss their concern with the Department Chair. If the problem is still not resolved, the student may discuss their concern with the Dean of Education, Health & Society. The grievance procedure is outlined in the Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health Governance.

WITH THE
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation/approval standards. ACEND is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dietetics education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion, or dismissal of faculty, staff, or students.