Bachelor Degree in Dietetics & Nutrition Didactic Program in Dietetics
We’re proud to have offered a viable and thriving didactic program since 1972. In order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), a student needs to complete the DPD requirements in conjunction with their bachelor’s degree (BS) in Dietetics and Nutrition. The DPD is the academic component of the first of three steps to becoming an RDN. The second step is to apply for an accredited dietetic internship, which is the supervised practice component. The third step is to sit for the national RDN Registration Examination. Most states also require licensure or certification to begin practice. As with most professional careers, there’s an ongoing requirement for continuing education as you move into this specialized field.
For more information about becoming an RDN, review the Requirements for Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Accreditation statement
As of August 2017, the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) has been fully reaccredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for the maximum seven-year term. The next program review commences in 2024.
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 registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics(ACEND). In Florida, graduates must also obtain a state license to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) at Florida International University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program before applying to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN, please visit Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND): Information for Students.
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics | Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995 (800) 877-1600.