Prior Learning and Recency of Education

Credit for Prior Learning (Coursework and Supervised Practice)

Students transferring from another institution of higher learning should refer to Delaware State University policies for transfer student admissions: http://www.desu.edu/admissions/transfer-student-admissions. Transfer students must complete a minimum of two thirds of their courses at Delaware State University.  Graduate courses must be completed by a regionally accredited university within in past three years and will be evaluated by the program director with input from the Department Chair and faculty teaching the course.  Criteria for accepting those courses as replacement for required courses in the program will be made on an individual basis based on course description, syllabus of specific course(s), and ability to meet the assigned KRDNs and CRDNs of the course.  

If a core competency (see RDN Competency Assessment (Required Element 4.1 and 4.2) is assessed in a course, transfer students have to complete the project, assignment, or demonstration of clinical skill(s) to show competency attainment.

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics may grant credit for supervised practice hours if those hours occurred within the past three years.  In food service, a student may receive credit for up to 120 hours of supervised practice if they have worked as a food service director or assistant director of a facility for a minimum of one year (2,000 hours).  In community nutrition, a student may receive credit for up to 100 hours of supervised practice if they have worked as a WIC nutritionist, Food Bank Community Nutrition Educator, diet technician or equivalent in another community organization if the student has worked for the facility for a minimum of one year (2,000 hours).  Diet Technicians working at a hospital may receive credit for up to 50 hours of supervised practice if they worked at a hospital for a minimum of one year (2,000 hours).  The program director will discuss the position responsibilities, for which the student seeks credit, with the student and the student’s direct supervisor to confirm attainment of competencies.  Students must provide performance evaluations and evidence of employment in the identified position.

Recency of Education 

The didactic coursework of students intending to apply to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics will be evaluated by the program director for recency in education.  If the coursework has been completed three or more years ago, the course will need to be repeated.  For Nutritional Biochemistry, the course will have to be repeated if completed more than five years ago.  With very few exceptions, Human Nutrition Assessment, Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II, and Community Nutrition must be taken at Delaware State University.