Didactic Program in Dietetics :: Andrews University

This program is designed for students pursuing professional degrees in the fields of nutrition, dietetics, medicine, dentistry, public health, research and other health-related graduate degrees.

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

To Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, you must….

• Complete the minimum of a baccalaureate degree in an accredited DPD or CP that meets ACEND requirements. Completion of the academic requirements must be verified with a signed Verification Statement from the program director.
• Complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience within a CP or DI. Completion of the supervised practice requirements must be verified with a signed Verification Statement from the program director.
• Successfully complete the national Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists.

If You Already Have a Baccalaureate Degree, You Must…

• Have your transcripts evaluated by the program director at the ACEND-accredited program to which you are seeking admission. Recognize that some programs may require you to take a certain number of credits from them before they will sign off on a Verification Statement.
• Once academic requirements are met, pursue application to the appropriate supervised practice experience program.
• Sit for the credentialing exam.

*Beginning 1/1/24, individuals must have a graduate degree in order to sit for the RD/RDN exam.

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

Andrews University DPD Program Description
This program is designed for students pursuing professional degrees in the fields of nutrition, dietetics, medicine, dentistry, public health, research and other health-related graduate degrees. This BS also prepares students for dietetics registration eligibility.

The Nutrition Science and Dietetics with Dietetics Emphasis is recommended for students wishing to become a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, or pursue a career in public health and/or graduate school.

The Nutrition Science and Dietetics with Nutrition Science Emphasis is recommended for pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-PA, students wishing to have a nutrition science and health promotion emphasis as they prepare for medical, dental, public health or graduate school.

Mission Statement & Goals
The mission of the DPD program is to prepare students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist for service to their church, society and the world and to influence the community at large to affirm the Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle, including a plant-based, vegetarian diet.

Goal #1: The program will prepare graduates to be competent for entry into supervised practice or other post-graduate programs through high quality educational offerings.

Goal #2: The program will prepare graduates who are highly competent to promote a vegetarian diet as a lifestyle option.

Program Information

Information regarding cost and fees of the program, application and admission requirements, the academic and program calendar, graduation and completion requirements, financial aid, scholarships, and policies and procedures such as credit for prior learning, and etc. can all be found in the programs handbook.

Handbook 2023-2024

Andrews University DPD - Program Outcomes

Our accreditation status is based upon our program achieving these outcomes. All program outcomes data is available upon request.

“At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 (150% of planned program length)”. (RE 2.1.c.1.a).
“At least 75% percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation”. (RE 2.1.c.1.b.1)
“Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 80% percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation”. (RE 2.1.c.1.b.2)
“The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%”. (RE 2.1.c.1.c)
80% of graduates will be rated as adequately prepared or higher for supervised practice or graduate school.
80% of DPD graduating seniors will rate themselves as “adequately prepared” or higher for promoting vegetarian lifestyle.
90% of DI preceptors will rate graduates as being “adequately prepared” or higher for promoting vegetarian lifestyle.

Admission Requirements-Nutrition Science & Dietetics Program (Step 1)

Prospective students enter the Nutrition Science & Dietetics program upon acceptance to Andrews University. Students must apply to the professional program* at the end of their sophomore year. The Dietetics Emphasis is recommended for students wishing to become a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, or pursue a career in public health and/or graduate school.

Pre-requisite Courses: two years of the following:

introductory professional (e.g. Food Science and Nutrition)
sciences (e.g. Intro to Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology)
social sciences (e.g. Sociology and Psychology)
math (e.g. MATH 145 or higher)
Andrews Core Experience (ACE)
These courses may be obtained at Andrews University or another accredited college or university, or equivalent institution for international students.

Admission Requirements-Nutrition Science & Dietetics Program (Step 2)

Applying to the Program*
To transition into the professional program, students need to apply to the director of the Didactic Program in Nutrition Science & Dietetics (DPD) at the end of their sophomore year. Students must apply to the program in order to register for FDNT 351 Food Service Management, a required course for the major.
Courses
The professional program includes two years of study including courses in:

medical nutrition therapy
food-service management
nutrition and metabolism
community nutrition
These courses are to be obtained on the Andrews University campus.

Program Technology Requirements

It is strongly suggested that each student has their own electronic device to access the learning managment system, engage in online learning, take notes, complete written homework assignments, conduct research, and etc. Students without a personal device can use the University computers, but will be limited on access to the spaces which provide computers.

Application Deadline

For acceptance to the program applications need to be submitted, to the program director, by the last Friday in March, September, or November for the following semester.
Acceptance
• Full acceptance into the BS Nutrition Science & Dietetics Program requires successful completion of all prerequisite courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 in the sciences and FDNT courses.
• Students who are not fully accepted into the program by their senior year will be unable to register for FDNT 441 Medical Nutrition Therapy which is required for the completion of the program.

Submission of Application to Dietetics Program which includes:

1. DPD Program Application

Dietetics students must fill out and submit the DPD program application prior to the start of their junior year in the program. The application can be delivered to the program director via e-mail or mail.

2. Statement of Purpose

Submit a statement of your objectives for seeking a BS degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Discuss your personal and professional goals. Discuss your background and how you became interested in Dietetics. Also, indicate why you have chosen to apply to the Dietetics program at Andrews University. The statement of purpose must be submitted with your completed application form.

4. Official transcripts (if transferring from another college)

Transcripts for every university or college that you have attended MUST be sent along with your application. These transcripts can be unofficial and can be e-mailed or mailed with your application.

Apply Now DPD Application Form

Courses For DPD Program

Prerequisite Courses:

The following courses are prerequisites to enter the Didactic Program in Dietetics, and are usually taken during freshman and sophomore years:

BCHM120	Introduction to Biological Chemistry
BIOL 111	Anatomy & Physiology 1
BIOL 112	Anatomy & Physiology 2
BIOL260	General Microbiology
CHEM110	Introduction to Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
FDNT118	The Profession of Dietetics
FDNT124	Food Science
FDNT 230	Nutrition
MKTG 310	Principles of Marketing
PSYC101	Intro to Psychology
SOCI119	Principles of Sociology

Cognate Courses:

The following courses are Cognate Requirements to take during the Didactic Program in Dietetics, and are usually taken during the Junior year:

BSAD355	Management & Organization
BSAD384	Human Resource Management

DPD Courses:

The following courses are DPD Requirements to take during the Didactic Program in Dietetics, and are usually taken during the Senior year:

FDNT310	Nutrition in the Life Cycle
FDNT351	Food Service Management I
FDNT352	Food Service Management II
FDNT421	Community Nutrition I
FDNT422	Community Nutrition II
FDNT431	Medical Nutrition Therapy I
FDNT432	Medical Nutrition Therapy II
FDNT448	Nutrition & Wellness
FDNT460	Seminar: Topic
FDNT485	Nutrition & Metabolism
FDNT490	Dietetic Program Review
FDNT498	Research Methods

Becoming a RDN or NDTR

Pursuing a credential as a Nutrition & Dietetics Technician

Another option for students with an interest in nutrition but who do not want to go the route of becoming an RDN is to pursue a career as a NDTR. A nutrition and dietetics technician, registered (NDTR), is trained in food and nutrition and is an integral part of the health-care and foodservice management teams. NDTRs have met the following criteria to earn the NDTR credential:

Completed a dietetic technician program by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, that includes 450 hours of supervised practice experience in various community programs, health-care and foodservice facilities and has completed at least a two year associate degree at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.

OR

Completed coursework in an ACEND-accredited didactic program or coordinated program in dietetics and has completed at least a bachelor degree at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.
After completing the degree and dietetics coursework, pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to the CDR website.
Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Steps to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Earn a degree from an accreditated dietetics program.
Complete a supervised practice requirement.
Pass a national exam for RDNs.
Meet requirements to practice in your state.
Maintain continuing education.

https://www.eatright.org/become-an-rdn

Licensure for Registered Dietitians

Michigan is one of only two states in the nation that does not have some form of licensure or title protection. RDNs practicing in other states must follow the regulations of their state.

For more information on licensure in all states across the United States visit: https://www.cdrnet.org/licensure and https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/licensure/licensure-map

Other Pathways to Become an RDN

Coordinated Programs in Dietetics

Combine your degree with supervised practice. Why? Because baccalaureate students can apply to this type of program and begin supervised practice without going through dietetic internship computer matching. Coordinated Programs in Dietetics may result in a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, depending on the program. Graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the dietetic registration exam.

Career Changers

It's never too late to make the switch to a career in dietetics. Individuals with a prior bachelor's degree need to complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics and receive a verification statement. Those without a four-year degree need to complete a bachelor's degree and receive a verification statement indicating completion of the didactic program in dietetics components prior to applying to the dietetic internship match.

*Beginning in 2024, a minimum of a master's degree will be an eligibility requirement in order to take the CDR dietetic registration exam.

International Students

RDNs have been trained in all corners of the globe. There a few different ways for international learners to become RDNs — visit Eat Right Pro to learn more.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements include satisfactory completion of curriculum requirements with at least 2.25 cumulative GPA in all dietetics courses (no grade below C). Students completing the DPD program and successfully passing the Senior Comprehensive Exam administered in April of final year will be issued a verification statement Students must complete both the coursework (DPD) requirements and a Dietetic Internship before being eligible to sit for the Registration Examination.

Our Accreditation

The B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics is a Didactic Program in Dietetics. The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Andrews University is currently accredited by the:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 312/899-0040 X 5400
Fax: 312/899-4817
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
URL: www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND

Students may also apply for membership into the AND in their junior or senior year. Upon completion of the DPD Program, the student will be issued a DPD verification statement. Once this statement has been issued, the student may apply for a dietetic internship, after which he or she is eligible for registration.

**The B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) .**

Disclaimer:

The information on these web pages is for information purposes only. While every attempt has been made to provide accurate information, the Andrews University Bulletin is the final and authoritative guide on regulations such as admission, general, core, major, and cognate requirements.