Dietetics

A registered dietitian is a dietetic practitioner who has completed at least four years of college and earned a B.S. degree with clinical experience in an accredited program. To become registered, a dietitian must pass a national registration examination. Dietitians are required to update their knowledge in continuing education during their careers.

Background Information

North Dakota State University has enjoyed a long-standing reputation in food and nutrition. Since 1925, NDSU has educated dietitians who are active nationwide in the profession of dietetics and leaders in professional organizations. The undergraduate program in dietetics is one of the finest in the nation. There are two undergraduate dietetics options at NDSU-the coordinated program in dietetics (CPD) and the didactic program in dietetics (DPD).

Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) Option
Selective admission

The CPD option coordinates a clinical experience course component with academic courses during the professional program in the junior and senior years of study. It is a two-year full-time professional program. Acceptance into the CPD is limited. Transfer students are encouraged to contact the department early on for information if they intend to transfer to NDSU and enter the CPD. The application deadline is February 15 of the sophomore year. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 with a 2.5 science GPA preferred. Students graduate at the end of four years with the necessary preparation to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam. The CPD is accredited by The American Dietetic Association Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE).

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Option
Selective Post-Baccalaureate Internship Admission

A second option is the DPD. In this option the student takes all of the academic course requirements of The American Dietetic Association and graduates with a B.S. degree in dietetics. The application deadline is February 15 of the sophomore year. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 with a 2.5 science GPA preferred. Students accepted in the DPD should be aware that, in order to continue their education in a dietetic internship (DI), they should have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. If the GPA is lower than 3.0, it is less likely that a student will be accepted into a DI. Work experience, volunteer or paid, in a hospital, long-term care food service, or some other type of food service experience will enhance a student's chance to receive a DI. A student is eligible to take the registration examination to become a registered dietitian following successful completion of a DI.

Dietetic Internships are available across the United States and range in length from 8 to 12 months. Students graduating from this program (DPD) are given departmental faculty assistance in applying for DIs. This program is accredited by The American Dietetic Association CADE. 

Career Opportunities

Dietitians are employed in facilities such as hospitals, clinics and long-term care, providing nutrition therapy, as well as food service administration. They also work in business as sales or educational professionals, for commercial and government establishments or as dietetic practitioners in community settings and public health. Some registered dietitians work for food commodity groups such as the Dairy Council or Wheat Commission. Dietitians work in education by teaching dietetics, nutrition and food service management in colleges, universities, medical schools and public school systems. In community settings, dietitians provide counseling and nutritional services for city and county health departments, elderly feeding programs, day care centers and school food service programs. Dietitians also work in wellness centers and in hospitals as part of the health promotion team.

The practice of dietetics is continuously changing as more research is conducted on foods and on the role of food in human health. Many dietitians work in hospital settings, either in clinical management or nutrition therapy as clinical dietitians. Clinical dietitians who work in nutrition therapy assess the nutritional needs of patients, plan menus, recommend or prescribe diets and nutritional support for patients, consult with physicians and direct educational programs on nutrition and special diets. They are members of the health team.

Career Outlook

Placement surveys conducted in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at NDSU show that more than 90% of the dietetics graduates obtain employment in their field within four months of graduation. It should be pointed out that employment is most favorable outside of Fargo. A recent study projects that there will be a continued demand for dietitians in both traditional and nontraditional areas for years to come. During college, many opportunities are available for students to obtain experience in the field. Some of those opportunities are through food service management companies, Public Health Service and University Dining Services.

Academic Advisement

The Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences prides itself on giving individual attention and advisement to each student. A faculty adviser is assigned to each dietetics major. The academic adviser helps students set goals for their college work, helps them choose courses and encourages them to seek community work experience during their college career. In addition to the faculty adviser, each incoming freshman and transfer student is assigned a student adviser to help with routine questions and to give assistance in adjusting to college life.

High School Preparation

Students interested in dietetics should have a background in the natural sciences. A good ability in communication skills, both oral and written, is an advantage to students considering dietetics.

Scholarships

Numerous scholarships are available through the College of Human Development and Education and The American Dietetic Association. Contact the department for more information.

Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Director of Student Services and Advancement
College of Human Development and Education

North Dakota State University
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall 255D
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7071
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Email:Nancy.Gress@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hde

or

Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
College of Human Development and Education
North Dakota State University
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall 351
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7474
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/academic/factsheets/ hde/dietetic.shtml

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

(12/08)