Nutrition and Dietetics

The Didactic Program in Dietetics provides students with a broad general education and a strong foundation in nutrition/dietetics and the sciences. Our program is designed to prepare individuals to become registered dietitians through the combination of their undergraduate degree, followed by successful completion of a supervised practice experience and the registration examination. The program also prepares graduates not pursuing a career in dietetics for advanced graduate/ professional study or employment matching their individual interests and professional goals.

Students may declare nutrition and dietetics as their major at any time during their academic career. Upon completion of the four-year program, students earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition as well as the DPD verification statement and are eligible to apply for admission to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited dietetic internship or to apply to take the diet technician exam from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Upon successful completion of the dietetic internship, students are eligible to sit for the registration examination to become a registered dietitian.

Emphasis will be on providing a program that integrates theory, research, and application of knowledge to the profession of dietetics resulting in successful students and graduates. The program meets all university, college, and school requirements, as well as incorporates the professional knowledge requirements of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Completion of the program will result in the awarding of the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food, concentration Nutrition and Dietetics and the DPD Verification Statement.

Goal 1: To prepare individuals to become registered dietitians through the combination of their undergraduate degree program followed by successful completion of a supervised practice experience and the registration examination.

• Objective 1: At least 50 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 2: Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 70 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 3: 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%.

Goal 2: To prepare graduates not pursuing a career in dietetics for advanced graduate or professional study or employment matching their individual interests and professional goals.

• Objective 1: At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 6 years (150% of planned program length).
• Objective 2: Satisfactory score (i.e., mean score on survey=3) of graduate’s performance in supervised practice, graduate program or employment within 12 months of graduation through an online survey assessing performance and abilities of graduate performance.  Employer, internship directors, graduate school coordinators and students will be surveyed.

The Kent State University Didactic Program in Dietetics and Dietetic Internship is currently accredited by:

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND):

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
312-899-5400

Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend