Nutrition & Dietetics (BS) | Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

WHAT PREREQUISITE COURSES NEED TO BE COMPLETED?

In addition to satisfying all lower-level general education coursework, students must complete all program-specific prerequisite courses prior to beginning upper-level or major concentration coursework. However, FSS1202 and FSS1202L can be completed in the first semester of the program if needed.

IS TRANSFER CREDIT ACCEPTED?

Yes, UNF will evaluate prior academic work for transfer of credit. An official transcript evaluation will take place after admission, and you will work with a Brooks College of Health advisor to map out your courses. You can review the course descriptions, which may help determine whether you’ve taken equivalent courses prior to your official credit evaluation. Please be aware that due to the newest 2022 accreditation standards through ACEND, UNF cannot accept transfer credit for many of the program (major) courses.

CAN THE DEGREE BE COMPLETED ON GROUND (CAMPUS) AND/OR ONLINE?

Yes, UNF offers the Nutrition and Dietetics DPD program face-to-face on UNF’s campus and online at the upper level. The online offering includes only those courses listed as “Concentration Requirements”, in addition to Food Fundamentals (FSS1202) and Food Fundamentals Lab (FSS1202L). Many of the prerequisite courses are offered online, but not all.

I HAVE AN INTERNATIONALLY AWARDED DEGREE. HOW DO I APPLY?

ACEND requires that foreign degree transcripts be evaluated by one of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR’s) approved foreign degree evaluation agencies. Once the transcripts are verified by one of the approved companies, pursue one of the options outlined in the “What are the different pathways to sit for the RD exam?”.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AFTER EARNING THE N&D: DPD DEGREE?

1. Complete an ACEND-accredited undergraduate Nutrition & Dietetics: DPD program, such as UNF’s.
2. Complete an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship while simultaneously earning a Master’s degree.
3. Pass the national RD examination. Master's degree required to take the exam.

UNF DPD graduates are not guaranteed placement in an internship. However, students can improve their chances of matching to an internship by earning good grades (As and Bs), always displaying outstanding character, obtaining relevant work and volunteer experience, and developing leadership skills. Students typically apply for internships (and Master’s degree) during their senior year, and if accepted, they start the internship in August following graduation. Read more about dietetic internships through the ACEND Program Directory.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT PATHWAYS TO SIT FOR THE RD EXAM?

1. Complete a Nutrition & Dietetics: DPD program, such as UNF’s. Complete a Nutrition & Dietetics, Dietetic Internship, MS/DI program, such as UNF’s. Sit for the RD exam.
2. Complete a Nutrition & Dietetics: DPD program, such as UNF’s. Complete a Nutrition & Dietetics: Dietetic Professional Studies, MS program, such as UNF’s. Complete a stand-alone dietetic internship. Sit for the RD exam.
3. Complete any bachelor’s degree & prerequisite courses. Complete a Nutrition & Dietetics: Integrated Graduate Nutrition, MS program, such as UNF’s. Sit for the RD exam.

HOW CAN I BECOME AN IF I ALREADY HAVE A MASTER’S DEGREE IN A NON-NUTRITION FIELD?

Return to the undergraduate level as a Post-baccalaureate applicant to complete a Nutrition & Dietetics: DPD program, such as UNF’s.*

Apply for a stand-alone dietetic internship during your final semester of the DPD program. You will need a DPD Verification Statement to enter a dietetic internship.

Complete the dietetic internship.

Pass the national RD examination.

*This option typically takes 2 years (4 semesters) of study.

OR

Pursue a Nutrition & Dietetics: Integrated Graduate Nutrition, MS program, such as UNF’s, which includes obtaining a new master’s degree plus supervised practice. You do not need a DPD verification statement to enter the program. Pass the national RD examination.

Questions? Email casey.colin@unf.edu.

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). For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. 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). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at the University of North Florida are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. A typical education guideline will be four years for the B.S. degree, completion of the accredited 1000-hour internship, and two years for the master's degree. The UNF Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics Internship option combines the internship and master's degree in a four-semester program.

The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics provides a high-quality Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and an experiential learning environment that prepares graduates for professional employment, further education, and supervised dietetic practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal #1:

The Didactic Program in Dietetics will maximize the potential for graduates to transition to entry-level practice as registered dietitians.

Objectives:

• At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 6 years (150% of the program length).
• 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• 50% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
• 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%.
• At least 90% of supervised practice program directors who return surveys will rate the program graduate’s overall preparation at a median score of four or higher on a 5-point scale.
• At least 75% of senior students in the DPD who complete the Graduate Exit Survey will rate their DPD experience at a median score of four or higher on a 5-point scale.

Goal #2:

Program graduates will pursue professional opportunities in addition to employment.

Objective:

• At least 50% of program graduates will pursue higher education, advanced credentials, and/or leadership roles.

Outcome Measure Results

Outcome data are available upon request.

Tuition, fees, and textbooks make up most of the costs to students. Detailed information regarding tuition and all general fees can be found at the UNF Tuition website:

http://www.unf.edu/tuition/

Laboratory fees for program courses are as follows:

• CHM2045L- $59.00
• BSC1010C- $51.93
• FSS1202L- $30.00
• BSC2085C- $51.93
• BSC2086C- $51.93
• MCB2010C- $51.93
• BCH3023C- $59.00
• FOS4041L- $30.00

Additional program expenses include:

• A Level 2 Criminal Background Check with Fingerprints may be required (typically $135-150, beginning of junior year)
• A Level 2 Criminal Background Re-Check may be required ($35-50, beginning of senior year)
• A solid white laboratory jacket ($25-35, beginning of sophomore or junior year)
• Oil-resistant non-skid shoes ($25-40, senior year)
• Travel to and from off-campus sites for field experiences and service work (costs vary, most sites are in Duval County)
• ServSafe Examination ($70 for the score sheet, senior year)
• Internship application fees (DICAS $50 first application, $25 each thereafter).

Recommended but not required  

• Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association ($20-30 for a T-shirt)
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership ($58)
• North Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership ($15).

Our Integrated Future Graduate Program may be a good fit for you. This is a 20-month program that integrates online didactic coursework with 1000 hours of onsite supervised experiential learning. This program does not require a DPD Verification Statement. For more information, please visit the website or contact the program director, Dr. Jamisha Leftwich at j.leftwich@unf.edu.