Educational Requirements

Registered Dietitians (RD's) are Food and Nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
Complete a CADE-accredited or approved supervised practice program via a Dietetic Internship (DI) or a Coordinated Program (CP).
Pass a national exam administered by Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

In order to practice as a registered dietitian, a student will need to have a minimum of a bachelors degree, complete a required didactic program in dietetics course work, complete a dietetic internship, and pass the registered dietitian exam.

Nutrition Management Program Admission Policy

All students enrolled in RIT's Nutrition Management Program enter what the ADA refers to as the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). This program provides the Foundation Knowledge and Skills that meet the academic requirements leading to at least a bachelor's degree. (In some circumstances when a student has a related degree or already holds a degree in Nutrition, a Master's Degree option might be recommended; this can only be ascertained after evaluation and discussion with Program Directors.)

Transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 for entry into the DPD. First and second year students must also maintain a GPA of 3.2. Upon completion of the necessary pre-professional (first and second year) courses, all students must maintain a 3.2 GPA to enroll in junior/senior level course work.

The Supervised Practice Application

Students apply to a supervised practice during their senior year. A GPA of 3.2 or above by graduation is recommended in order to have a competitive advantage for a supervised practice. Relevant work and volunteer experience along with letters of reference are also required. See the CADE site for further information.

Nutrition Management Program Graduation Requirements

Completion of 189 quarter credit hours, as per curriculum.
Completion of three quarters of cooperative work experience, at least one of which must be in health care food and nutrition.
A minumum GPA of 3.2 and a grade of "C" or better in all courses in the professional phase of the DPD program is required to receive the DPD verification statement and certification for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrtition Management.
Completion of Nutrition Management program evaluation.

August 5, 2008