Nutrition and Dietetics Details

Mission of the dietetics program

To prepare competent graduates in dietetics, through an ACEND accredited didactic program in dietetics, who seek to service the dietary needs of patients, individuals, and the community.

Program goals and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) required objectives

Goal one

Graduates will be prepared for careers in dietetics and food-related professions and/or advanced studies in health-related disciplines.

• Objective 1 (Program completion):  At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within six years (150% of the program length).
• Objective 2 (Graduate performance on registration exam):  The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Goal two

Graduates will be prepared for acceptance into an accredited dietetic supervised practice program, graduate education, and/or entry-level professional positions requiring foods and/or nutrition expertise.

• Objective 1 (Graduate application and acceptance into supervised practice):  At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 2 (Graduate application and acceptance into supervised practice):  Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 3 (Satisfaction with graduate performance):  At least 70% of program graduates will be rated as 3 and above on a 1-5 scale pertaining to their graduates' performance for supervised practice, graduate program, or employment in dietetics-related settings, as reported by their supervised practice directors, graduate program directors, or employers.

How to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

• Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at the US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Completed an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice program and master's degree OR completed an ACEND accredited Future Education Model (FEM) graduate program.
• Passed 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.