Didactic Program in Dietetics

Nutrition | Undergraduate Degrees | Didactic Program in Dietetics

Overview

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at UNC Greensboro consists of the coursework and knowledge requirements needed to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Students are issued a DPD verification statement after successfully completing the DPD. The verification statement is required by ACEND as proof of program completion. The DPD program prepares students for the next steps in their studies: completion of a graduate degree, and a supervised practice program such as UNCG’s Dietetic Internship (DI) program.

Once students have earned a graduate degree and completed their DPD and DI programs, they are eligible to take the national registration exam for RDNs, offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registrations (CDR).

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

Read about educational pathways to become a RDN on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

Pathways to earning a DPD Verification Statement

Three ways to obtain a DPD verification statement through UNCG’s Department of Nutrition:

Option 1: Undergraduate at UNCG

Admission for an undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics is through UNCG admissions.

Undergraduate Nutrition students at UNCG receive a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement on program completion.

Option 2: Students with bachelor’s degree from another accredited university

2nd Bachelor’s Degree

Admission for a second undergraduate degree is through UNCG Admissions. Contact the DPD Director to discuss a plan of study.

Students may apply as a second degree undergraduate student to the Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration. Students complete DPD course requirements and receive the DPD verification statement.
- Students must complete at least 12 credit hours of didactic coursework at UNCG.
- Students do not need to meet graduation requirements for a 2nd degree to complete the DPD program and receive a verification statement.

Master’s Degree

Admission for master’s or doctoral degrees is through the UNCG Graduate School. Contact the DPD Director to discuss a plan of study.

Students may apply to the M.S. program and complete DPD course requirements while earning their master’s degree.
On receiving their DPD verification statement, students are eligible to transition to the DI Program while continuing their M.S.

Option 3: M.S./Ph.D.

Admission for master’s or doctoral degrees is through the UNCG Graduate School. Contact the DPD Director to discuss plan of study.

Students in the M.S. or Ph.D. program in Nutrition at UNCG can complete the DPD course requirements while earning their graduate degree.
On receiving their DPD verification statement, students are eligible to transition to the DI Program while continuing their M.S.

Academic Calendar

The UNCG Didactic Program in Dietetics follows the university academic calendar.

Accreditation

The UNCG Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with oversight by the U.S. Department of Education.

ACEND contact information:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600 (ext. 5400)
Email: [email protected]

Resources

Laurie Allen, M.Ed., R.D.N., L.D.N.,
AP Associate Professor
[email protected]

DIRECTOR of Didactic Program in Dietetics

Estimated Program Cost Per Year

	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & fees for Undergraduate and 2nd degree students*	$7,404	$22,564
Tuition & fees for Graduate students**	$7,416	$21,134
Housing on campus	$5,630
Books	$600
Computer, webcam, speaker, internet and microphone	$1000
Liability Insurance per semester	***$7.50 per semester
Uniform and Restaurant Approved Non-skid shoes for Food labs	$75
Student Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics	$58
Travel to experiential learning locations required for coursework	$20

* 12 credit hours
**9 credit hours
*** That student is taking NTR 309, NTR 421, NTR 423

Based off 2023-2024

Financial Aid & Scholarships

There are numerous types of financial assistance available on campus:

The UNCG Office of Financial Aid offers various types of aid (e.g. grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study)
The School of Health and Human Sciences offers scholarships for students within HHS.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Foundation offers Scholarships to encourage eligible students to enter the field of dietetics.

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. 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.