NUTRITION

School of Health and Human Sciences

The Didactic Program in Dietetics at UNCG

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at UNCG provides students with the coursework necessary to apply for a supervised practice program in dietetics.  Students successfully completing didactic program requirements at UNCG are issued a DPD verification statement as proof of program completion.

Effective January 1, 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 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics at UNCG are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. See here for more information about state licensure requirements.

See here for more information about educational pathways to become a RDN.

Three Options

Three options to obtaining a DPD verification statement through UNCG’s Department of Nutrition:

Option 1:

Undergraduate- Students who major in Human Nutrition and Dietetics will receive a DPD verification statement after completing all didactic coursework with a C or better and meeting all graduation requirements. Admission for an undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics is through UNCG admissions.

Option 2:

2nd Degree- If  students have earned a Bachelor’s degree from another regionally accredited university, they may earn the DPD verification statement upon completion of the DPD course requirements as a second degree student in the Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration.   Students must complete at least 12 credit hours of didactic coursework at UNCG (including Medical Nutrition Therapy and Professionalism in Dietetics) and obtain a C or better in all didactic coursework.  Students do not need to meet graduation requirements for a 2nd degree to complete the DPD program and receive a verification statement.  Admission for a second undergraduate degree is through UNCG Admissions.

Option 3:

MS/PhD- Students who are completing their MS or PhD in Nutrition at UNCG can complete the DPD course requirements while completing a M.S. or Ph.D. in Nutrition at UNCG.  Students must obtain a C or better in all didactic coursework (Graduate School grade requirements may differ from DPD requirements, see Grad Student Manual (PDF).   Students do not need to meet graduation requirements for a Graduate degree to complete the DPD program and receive a verification statement. Admission for master’s or doctoral degrees is through the UNCG Graduate School.

Course Requirements

Undergraduate and 2nd Degree Student DPD course list 

A student is withdrawn from the major if he/she earns more than one grade of C- or lower in the same dietetics course.  A flow diagram of the curriculum is on the Human Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration Sheet (PDF).

Graduate Student DPD course list

If you have questions regarding the Didactic Program in Dietetics at UNCG please contact the Didactic Program Director, Professor Laurie Allen, MEd, RDN, LDN at lhschroe@uncg.edu.

Program Schedule

The UNCG Didactic Program in Dietetics follows the same academic calendar as the University.  Students that need to miss greater than a week of classes due to illness or emergency should contact their instructor, the DPD director and the Dean of Students. 

Estimated Program Cost Per Year

  • Estimated Tuition and fees for Undergraduate and 2nd degree students  (12 credit hours): In state $7,404; Out of state $22,564
  • Estimated Tuition and fees for Graduate Students (9 credit hours) per year: In State $7,416,  Out of state $21,134
  • Housing on campus (double) $5,626 In state and Out of State
  • Books $1000
  • Liability Insurance ($7.50 per semester that student is taking NTR 309, NTR 421, NTR 423)
  • Uniform and Restaurant Approved Non-skid shoes for Food labs  $75 one time cost
  • Student Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics $58
  • Travel to experiential learning locations required for coursework:  $15

Financial Aid & Scholarships

There are numerous types of financial assistance available on campus. Please contact the UNCG Office of Financial Aid to explore the various types of aid available (e.g. grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study). After you are enrolled as a student in the School of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) you may also be eligible for scholarships within HHS.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Foundation offers scholarships to encourage eligible students to enter the field of dietetics. According to the AND, scholarships usually go to student AND members enrolled in the junior or senior year during a DPD program and the majority of the scholarships awarded are for $1,000. Scholarships are also available for students in dietetic internships and graduate studies. For more information see the Scholarships , to find applications and see a list of past recipients.

 

 

 

 

DPD