Requirements for the major include a minimum of 120 units for Nutrition and Dietetics. In addition to general education requirements (48 units), a minimum of 40 units in Family and Consumer Sciences is required, 24 of which must be upper division. Students transferring from another college or university will receive transfer credit in required courses if the course is equivalent to the course at this University and it is accepted by the University.
Nutrition and Dietetics
This degree option has two concentrations- Dietetics and Nutritional Science. Students will focus their studies in nutritional science, medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, food production and management of foodservice operations (Dietetics concentration only), chemistry, physiology, plus a variety of supporting course work in related disciplines.
Dietetics Concentration
The Dietetics Concentration fulfills the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) academic requirements for eligibility to apply for qualifying experiences required to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist.
Becoming a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist
Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists (RDs/RDNs) are considered food and nutrition experts. They have met the following criteria to earn the RD/RDN credential:
- Completion of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
- Completion of a supervised practice program accredited by ACEND.
- Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
In order to maintain registration, the RD/RDN must provide evidence of fulfilling continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration. Some RDs/RDNs hold additional certifications in the specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, and diabetes education. These certifications are awarded through CDR and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required.
In addition to RD/RDN credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RD/RDN.
Alternative pathway- Becoming an NDTR (Nutrition & Dietetic Technician)
Dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) are educated and trained at the technical level of nutrition and dietetics practice for the delivery of safe, culturally competent, quality food and nutrition services. DTRs are an integral part of healthcare and food service management teams.
DTRs work under the supervision of a registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) when in direct patient/client nutrition care in practice areas as:
- Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, retirement centers, hospices, home health-care programs and research facilities conducting patient/client screens, gathering data and performing assigned tasks to assist RDNs in providing medical nutrition therapy.
DTRs may work independently in providing general nutrition education to healthy populations in a variety of settings as:
- Schools, day-care centers, correctional facilities, restaurants, health-care facilities, corporations and hospitals, managing employees, purchasing and food preparation and maintaining budgets within foodservice operations.
- Women, Infants, Children (WIC) programs, public health agencies, Meals on Wheels and community health programs, assisting registered dietitians with the implementation of programs and presentation of classes for the public.
- Health clubs, weight management clinics and community wellness centers, helping to educate clients about the connection between food, fitness and health.
- Food companies, contract food management companies or food vending and distributing operations developing menus, conducting nutrient analysis and data collection, and overseeing foodservice sanitation and food safety.
DTRs are nationally credentialed food and nutrition technical practitioners who have met the following criteria to earn and maintain the DTR credential.
“Successful completion of coursework in an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics and completion of at least a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.
After completing the degree and dietetics coursework, successful completion of the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians, a national credentialing examination, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is required. CDR’s DTR certification program is fully accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting arm of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). Accreditation by the ICE reflects achievement of the highest standards of professional credentialing. For more information regarding DTR credentialing, refer to CDR’s website at www.cdrnet.org.
Compliance with the CDR Professional Development Portfolio (PDP): Requirements to maintain DTR registration include 50 hours of continuing education every five years.
