Didactic Program in Dietetics
Effective January 1st, 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 order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor's degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31st, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website (https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree).
Mission
The mission of the DPD program at CSUN is to prepare competent dietetic students for acceptance into a supervised practice, an accredited dietetic internship program leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and for entry-level positions in clinical, food service or community nutrition and research. The DPD program mission is also to prepare dedicated dietetic students who demonstrate a life-long learning and have the ability to effectively communicate, analyze, problem-solve, and perform high quality teamwork, and also have an understanding and appreciation of a diverse and multicultural society.
DPD Program Goal 1:
Graduates will be well prepared as dietetic interns for accredited dietetics internship programs and supervised practices and dietetic-related careers as entry level dietitians in different areas such as clinical, food service, community nutrition, and research.
Program Objectives for Goal 1:
- 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%.
- DPD Student Satisfaction: 80% of the DPD graduates will report “satisfactory” ratings or higher regarding their perceived ability to perform successfully in a supervised practice, entry-level nutrition-related position, graduate program, or a pre-professional program with the DPD program at CSUN
- Program Completion: At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 6 years (150% of the program length)
- Applying for DI, CP or ISPP programs: 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice programs prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- Acceptance rate to DI, CP or ISPP programs: 50% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
- Satisfaction of DI, CP or ISPP Director: 80% of DI, CP or ISPP directors who respond to the survey rate (on a 5 point scale) the overall performance of dietetic interns from CSUN’s DPD as not less than 3 where 3 = meets expectations; 5 = greatly exceeds expectations
DPD Program Goal 2:
Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of practice settings and diverse and multicultural environment and be able to effectively communicate, analyze, problem solve, think critically, perform high quality ream-work, and continue life-long learning.
Program Objectives for Goal 2:
1. Graduate School acceptance and completion: 30% of graduates (verified), neither entered nor applied for DI, who respond to the alumni survey indicate they have enrolled in graduate school or earned a graduate degree.
2. Satisfaction of DI, CP or ISPP Director: 75% of DI, CP or ISPP Director who respond to the survey rate the preparation of program graduates as good to excellent in teamwork, problem solving and effective communication skills
3. Satisfaction of DI, CP or ISPP Director: 80% of DI, CP or ISPP Director who respond to the survey rate the preparation of program graduates as excellent for working in a very diverse and multicultural environment who have an excellent understanding and appreciation of individual, community and society.
ACEND Accreditation
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) here at CSUN is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
120 South Riverside Plaza Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600 Ext 5400
DPD Orientation Meetings for Summer 2024
-
Monday, July 8, 1:00 - 2:00 PM (via Zoom)
DPD Orientation Meetings for Fall 2024
- Tuesday, September 17, 2:30 - 3:30 PM (Location TBD)
- Wednesday, October 16, 10:00 - 11:00 AM (via Zoom)
- Thursday, November 21, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (via Zoom)
Zoom link (Click here)
Meeting ID: 812 6558 6893
Passcode: 598981
Final Transcript Evaluation
- Tuesday, September 17, 3:30 - 4:30 PM (Location TBD)
- Thursday, October 10, 10:00 - 11:00 (via Zoom)
Zoom link (Click here)
Meeting ID: 890 9309 4008
Passcode: 133280
- Admission criteria
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- Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Retention and Remediation Policy
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- Student Monitoring and Retention
- Graduation Requirements
- Filing complaint with ACEND
For any DPD related questions, please contact the DPD Director, email Dr. Elizabeth Dabach or Dr. Dena Herman-Mendes.
- The field of Dietetics
- RD fact sheet
- How to become RD
- DPD Flowchart for BS in FCS
- DPD Flowchart for BS in Nutrition
- Articulation Agreements
- How to Apply for a Dietetic Internship
- ACEND Website
- DI Program Directory
- DICAS Website
- DICAS Instructional Video
- DPD Course List for BS in FCS
- DPD Course List for BS in NDFS
- Sending Official Transcript to DICAS
- Suggestions to improve your chances for DI
- Internship tips
- Sample DI questions
- Questions - Need help:
- ISPP Information
Post-Bac CSUN DPD
This pathway is tentative and has not been finalized nor approved. Please contact Dr. Setareh Torabian, DPD Director, at in April 2020 for an update.
In order to receive a DPD verification statement from CSUN, post-bac students must:
- Have a Bachelor's Degree either in Nutrition or any other Bachelor's degree,
- Admission to our MS in Human Nutrition program
- Passing of prerequisite courses listed below. Program prerequisites may be completed at CSUN through Tseng college of extended learning or other institutions or community colleges. Students will need to have achieved a grade of C or better in all prerequisite course.
Prerequisite Course to MS in Human Nutrition for Non-Nutrition Undergrad Majors
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
Chem 103/L or Chem 101/L | General Chemistry I and Lab |
Chem 104/L or Chem 102/L | General Chemistry II and Lab |
Bio 101/L | general Biology and Lab |
FCS 207 | Introduction to Nutrition |
Bio 281 | Human Physiology |
Bio 215/L | Microbiology |
Chem 235/L | Organic Chemistry and Lab |
Chem 365/L* | Biochemistry and Lab |
FCS 307** | Advanced Nutrition, Macronutrients |
FCS 308** | Advanced Nutrition, Micronutrients |
* Not offered at a community college, must complete at CSUN or one of the four pre-approved Universities.
**Must be complete at CSUN at Tseng College of Extended Learning.
Major DPD courses taken and completed at Tseng College of Extended Learning at CSUN
(The following courses are not financial aid eligible and can be taken concurrent with graduate courses after admission into MS in Human Nutrition program)
Course Number | Course Title |
FCS 201 | Intro to Food Science |
FCS 301 | Food Science and Technology |
FCS 304 | Food Service Production |
FCS 321/L | Contemporary Issues of Food and Nutrition |
FCS 402 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I |
FCS 403 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II |
FCS 404/L | Food Service Systems Management and Lab |
FCS 408 | Community Nutrition |
FCS 494/I | Peer Nutrition Counseling |
Who is RD or RDN?
Registered Dietitians (RD)* or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN)* are individuals who have:
- completed the minimum of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent;
- met current minimum academic requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics) as approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
- completed a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
- successfully completed the Registration Examination for Dietitians;
- remitted the annual registration fee;
- complied with the Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) re-certification requirements