Coordinated Program in Dietetics
The Department of Human Ecology offers a baccalaureate degree in Food and Nutritional Sciences with a Concentration in Dietetics. This program combines academic and supervised practice to qualify students to become immediately eligible to sit for the national Registration Examination for Dietitians after they graduate. For further detail on becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, please refer to the Student Handbook: pgs. 3-4 (see sidebar).
Application for admission to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics should be made during the first semester of the student’s junior year or four semesters prior to the anticipated date of graduation. This allows the student to complete the required 1200 hours of supervised practice. To accomplish this, the student will spend three semesters and one summer session rotating through different sites while consecutively finishing his/her academic courses.
Because of the supervised practice component of the program, students consistently apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their course work in a variety of clinical, community nutrition, and food service management settings to achieve entry level competency for registered dietitian nutritionists. The program offers a concentration in Culturally Competent Food and Nutrition Services. Our program demonstrates a strong commitment to individualized mentoring to ensure the success of our students.
The Commission on Dietetic Registration provides information on registration eligibility, career opportunities, and the registration examination. Please visit its website at: https://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/registered-dietitian-rd-certification. Delaware requires that dietitians are licensed: https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/dietitians/newlicense/. Licensure information for other states can be found on the CDR website: https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure.
Delaware State University’s Coordinated Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: http://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND.
Contact Information
ACEND
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: (800) 877-1600, extension 5400
E-Mail: ACEND [at] eatright.org
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 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). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Delaware State University and acquire a master’s degree will be able to take the CDR credentialing exam.