Nutrition (Dietetics Specialization), B.S.

The Dietetics Specialization provides excellent preparation for students that want to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics.  The Specialization includes the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Employment opportunities for dietetic and nutrition professionals are growing and include those in health care, business and industry, public health, education, research and private practice.  Many employers require that an individual be credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) while others require a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) credential.   The Dietetics Specialization curriculum provides a solid foundation for those who wish to earn one or both of these credentials.

There are several ways to earn the RDN credential.  A common way is to 1) complete a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a DPD (such as the Dietetic Specialization); 2) complete a post-baccalaureate accredited dietetic internship, and 3) pass a national credentialing exam. Note that effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a RDN.

One way to earn the NDTR credential is to 1) complete a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a DPD (such as the Dietetic Specialization); and 2) pass a national credentialing exam.  

A DPD Verification Statement is an official Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics document that confirms all DPD knowledge requirements have been met. Possession of a DPD Verification Statement containing the DPD Director’s original signature is needed to begin a dietetic internship, and to sit for the NDTR credentialing exam. The University will issue DPD Verification Statements only for those students who meet all of the following characteristics:

• Earned a B.S. in Nutrition (Dietetics Specialization) from the University or earned a baccalaureate at an accredited institution and completed at least 50% of the DPD courses at the University.
• Earned a grade of 2.0 (C) or greater in all DPD courses. This includes DPD courses that were completed at the University and those DPD courses completed at other institutions.
• Earned an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or greater in all DPD courses combined. This includes DPD courses that were completed at the University and those completed at other institutions.
• Earned a 70% or better on each of the KRDN competency assignments to demonstrate core knowledge of the curriculum components. 

A list of DPD courses and other information about the Dietetics Specialization can be found in the Didactic Program in Dietetics Handbook.

Program website.