Didactic Program in Dietetics
In order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), students will need to complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) which most students at the University of Minnesota do while completing a BS degree in Nutrition. A DPD is the academic component and first of three required steps toward becoming a RD. See Requirements for Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for additional details of the steps to become a RDN.
FYI: The Registered Dietitian (RD) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials are interchangeable with practitioners having the option to choose one or the other. See this page for additional information about the RDN credential.
The DPD is housed within the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FScN) on the St. Paul campus. Students who are also obtaining a Nutrition undergraduate degree are admitted into the program through the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). Students who already have a bachelor’s degree or who are graduate students are still able to complete the DPD. See Info for Prospective and Transfer Dietetics Students for more information.
This option offers preparation in the basic sciences and liberal education, a background in food science, and a focus on human needs related to nutrition. The curriculum meets accreditation standards and core knowledge for a DPD by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics for entry into supervised practice. Therefore, students who plan to become RDNs will be eligible to apply for a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship upon graduation. Graduates of the program who choose not to become RDNs will be qualified for positions in various food-related fields, including nutrition, industry, and community programs. Please see the University Catalog for degree requirements and the DPD track requirements.
The Future in Dietetics
Effective January 1, 2024, any person taking the registration examination for the RDN credential will need to have completed a Master’s degree along with an accredited DPD. Currently, the Master’s degree can be in any field. For now, the DPD at the U of MN will remain an accredited undergraduate program; therefore by Jan. 1, 2024, U of MN DPD graduates will need to not only complete the dietetic internship but also obtain a Master’s degree before taking the RDN exam. Check out this link from the Commission on Dietetic Registration for more information. One of the options for U of MN DPD students is the BS/MS Integrated program which must be applied for in the junior year. Check out specific information on the BS/MS Integrated program here.
Prospective DPD Students
- Requirements for Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- Info for Prospective and Transfer Dietetics Students
- Costs to Students
Current DPD Students
- DPD Admission Process
- Early Preparation for Becoming a RDN
- Graduation and Program Completion Requirements
- Professional Portfolio
- Conflict/Problem Resolution Policy
- Important Forms, Policies and Links for Dietetics Students
Program Information
- DPD Mission, Goals and Objectives
- Assessment of Student Learning for the DPD
- Resources for applying for a Dietetic Internship:
Accreditation Statement
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is currently granted Accreditation by the Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606, 312-899-5400, www.eatrightpro.org/resources/acend
