Bachelor of Science in Dietetics & Nutrition - Didactic Program in Dietetics

Program Requirements

• Requirements to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  Program graduates who wish to pursue the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential must follow these required steps:

  1. Earn a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program. A master's degree is required to be eligible for the RDN exam.
     
     
  2. Complete an ACEND accredited supervised practice requirement. In addition, individuals must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice to gain real-world experience and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the context of a variety of work settings.
     
     
  3. Pass a national exam for RDNs. Once you complete your degrees and supervised practice, you may schedule to take CDR's Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become a credentialed as registered dietetics nutritionist. This is called "RDN eligibility," meaning you have completed the requirements to become eligible to take the national exam.
     
     
  4. Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes.
     
     
  5. Stay up to date in dietetics through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices.

  For more information on the educational and professional requirements for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

  For more information about state licensure requirement, please visit the licensure map on the Commission on Dietetic Registration website. 

• Requirements to become a Registered Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR)

  Graduates from this DPD program are eligible to take a national exam to earn the Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) credentials. The process is guided by the Commission of Dietetic Registration. Graduates completing a baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college/university, or foreign equivalent, and completion of an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics are eligible for this outcome. This option is open to all graduates who receive a Verification Statement upon program completion. View additional information and forms.

• How to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) at Florida International University? *
  1. Complete all graduation and DPD requirements to earn a B.S. degree in Dietetics and Nutrition (DPD program) and obtain a verification statement.
     
     
  2. Students graduating from the DPD program may apply to the Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition program at FIU within the department of dietetics and nutrition. Program details and application deadlines can be found on the program’s website. 
     
     
  3. Graduate students in their final semester in the master’s program may then apply to the ACEND accredited dietetic internship program at FIU. Program details can be found on the dietetic internship page on the Stempel College website. 
     
     
  4. After completion of all the above requirements, the graduate will be eligible to take CDR's Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become a credentialed as an RDN.

  *Please note that this describes the process if a student wishes to remain at FIU. DPD graduates with verification statements have the option to complete a graduate program and supervised practice experience at another ACEND accredited institution to become eligible to take CDR's Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become a credentialed as an RDN.  

• Requirements for Graduation and Program Completion
  1. Satisfy all requirements for Bachelors of Dietetics and Nutrition.
     
     
  2. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of coursework in the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
     
     
  3. Earn a grade of “C” or better in all letter-graded courses with Prefixes of DIE, HUN, FOS, & FSS.
     
     
  4. Students must achieve a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.7.
     
     
  5. Students must achieve all ACEND-required core knowledge assessments at the required target levels.
     
     
  6. Meet with Academic Advisor to receive Graduation Check prior to final semester.
     
     
  7.  Apply for graduation via my.fiu.edu during registration of final semester. See University Calendar for deadline.
• Verification Statement

  The Verification Statement (VS) is given at the completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics when all ACEND knowledge requirements have been met, including a minimum 2.7 GPA, passing the Comprehensive Dietetic Exam (DIE 4963), and the FIU Graduation Office verifies the degree requirements (degree posted).  With the DPD VS, the student is eligible to apply for an ACEND supervised practice program as well as graduate programs.

• Declaration of Intent
  A Declaration of Intent (DOI) can be issued to DPD students who are applying to a supervised practice program or graduate program at the beginning of their final semester prior to graduation. If a DOI is needed, please email your program director.
• Distance Learning

  The majority of the courses required for the DPD program are offered on campus with face-to-face meetings and an online learning management system to deliver course content (Canvas learning management system). Distance education is offered in a limited number of courses either hybrid or online. Students must be proficient in Canvas (where all FIU courses are housed) and basic computer use to be successful in online or hybrid courses. Computer labs and wireless internet are available on campus. Assistance with computing issues can be found by contacting the IT Helpdesk. A distance learning fee of $30 per credit is added for all online courses. Online courses utilize Honorlock as a proctoring tool for students during proctored-required exams. Please visit the Honorlock student guide  for more information on technology requirements. The minimum technical specifications needed to participate in an online course are listed here. For more information, refer to the DPD Student Handbook.