Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Dietetics is a useful and practical area of study for students interested in health maintenance and rehabilitation through the science of nutrition. Physiological, biological, and behavioral sciences provide the foundation for a wide range of studies applicable to community, clinical, private practice, and management aspects of nutrition in health care. You will develop human relationship skills and expertise in addressing nutritional needs for human growth and development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, biological, and behavioral sciences provide the foundation for a wide range of studies applicable to management of nutrition in health care. Upon completion of the prescribed course of study, students are qualified for entry-level careers in community, clinical, consultative dietetics, and food service management positions in business, health care, and industry.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics at UNC is accredited as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Completion of UNC's DPD is the first step on the pathway to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or dietetic technician, registered (DTR). The steps to become an RDN are:
- Complete a bachelor's degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program) Note, effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration. (Dietetic registration exam.)
- Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program or Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option. Supervised practice/experiential learning is combined with the Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program.
- Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's dietetic registration exam.
- Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
- Maintain continuing education.
*Beginning January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) has changed the degree requirement for dietitian registration eligibility from a Bachelor's degree to a Master's degree (in any field) in addition to the current requirement of a verification statement from an ACEND accredited dietetics program. For more information, see Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Frequently Asked Questions and Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Student Option Scenarios.
Application Process for the Didactic Program in Dietetics
To ensure that you are best prepared for successful application to dietetic internships upon graduation, you may declare the Dietetics-Seeking major upon entrance to the University; however, you will not be eligible to earn a degree in Dietetics until you have applied and have been accepted to the program. Following academic advisement from program faculty and completion of required pre-requisites, you will apply to the Dietetics degree program at the end of your sophomore year. Your application timeline may be different if you are a transfer student.
The minimum criteria for admission are an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater, and completion of BIO 110, BIO 245, CHEM 111, FND 210, FND 245, PSY 120, and STAT 150 with grades of C or better. FND 250 with a grade of B or better may be accepted for FND 245. You may be enrolled in BIO 245 at the time of application and it is expected that you will be enrolled in FND 252 if it has not already been completed at the time of application.
Experiential Learning
For experiential learning, students are required to locate their own sites for the following courses: FND 320-Nutrition Applications in Foodservice, FND 431-Medical Nutrition Intervention, FND 452-Community Nutrition and FND 446-Foodservice Systems Management. Specific requirements for finding the sites, activities required and items assessed is available to each student from the instructor teaching the course. Faculty members will offer assistance to students on finding sites as appropriate. An affiliation agreement is not required as the experiential learning experiences are for less than 10 hours. If a site requires an affiliation agreement, the student will need to find another site to complete his/her experience.
Graduation Requirements
- Graduation requirements are the same as those required by the University.
- In addition, students must earn grades of C or better in all courses required by the major to graduate with the BS Dietetics degree and earn a Verification Statement of Program Completion.
- Students must also complete the Senior Assessment Exam to receive a Verification Statement of Program Completion.
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at the University of Northern Colorado is
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in
Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND) through 2021 and adheres to the knowledge, skills,
and competencies described by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
800-877-1600, ext. 5400
www.eatrightpro.org/acend
