Dietetics Concentration

Choosing our dietetics concentration means you will be eligible to apply to an internship or supervised practice program in order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) upon graduating from UVM.

The DPD program at UVM prepares graduates to be successful in dietetic internships, graduate schools and/or employment. Students choosing the dietetic concentration graduate with the knowledge and skills in science, nutrition, critical thinking, sustainability and cultural competency to excel in their careers.

Note: Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

The DPD program at UVM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600 ext. 5400.

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In addition to the Catamount Core Curriculum Requirements students will take the following dietetics concentration courses:

• Step 1: Complete a bachelor’s degree and earn a Verification Statement by completing an ACEND-accredited program like a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).  By successfully completing the Dietetics concentration at UVM, you will finish this step!
• Step 2: Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
• Step 3: Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's Web site at  www.cdrnet.org.
• Step 4: Complete any material needed for licensure/certification in desired state.  Vermont does not require RDNs to be licensed but does have a voluntary certification process.  More about licensure/certification from CDR.
• Step 5: Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Note: After 2024 a Master's Degree will be required to become an RDN.  The master's degree can be completed on its own, or in a coordinated program with supervised practice.  The master's degree can be in any field.

• All UVM dietetics majors will be issued three copies of their verification statement after completion of their B.S. degree.
• Students with other UVM majors, and students graduating from other colleges or universities need to adhere to the following guidelines.
  • Complete at least FOUR NFS courses at the 200 level or above at UVM.  Verification statements WILL NOT be issued to students who have not completed this four course requirement.
  • International students must provide a foreign degree equivalency statement from a not-for-profit agency.
  • Make sure all courses on the DPD checklist are completed, and any substitutions have been approved by the DPD director.
  • Provide the DPD director with copies of all transcripts denoting courses used to satisfy the DPD courses.
  • The DPD director will complete six copies of the Verification Statement and mail them to the student.

• For degree-seeking students, the DPD does not grant prior learning or competence credit other than that allowed by University policy for military training and service and Academic Learning Integrated with Volunteer Experience through AmeriCorps Vista.
• For transfer students, the DPD Director will use the Transfer Guide from UVM’s Registrar’s Office to assess which courses from other schools are equivalent to UVM courses. If a course or school is not listed in the guide, the UVM DPD Director will work with the Office of Transfer Affairs to assess course syllabi and determine appropriate course equivalencies.
• For students who are seeking only to obtain a Verification Statement and not a degree, the DPD will assess prior learning experience on a case-by-case basis. Students wishing to have their prior learning assessed must submit thorough documentation of the experience that they would like to substitute for a DPD course. The DPD program director will consult with other faculty as necessary, request additional information from the candidate as needed, and make a determination.

When you complete the UVM DPD program, you will be given a verification statement, indicating that you have in fact completed all the DPD requirements.  The verification statement is required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to apply to an internship or supervised practice program to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).  Completing the DPD coursework is the first step on the path to becoming a RDN.

Many students who complete the UVM dietetics program want to continue their education to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. The UVM DPD program prepares you to pursue licensure/registration in every state.

Once you've completed the DPD program, the next step to becoming a Registered Dietitian is to enroll in a:

• dietetics internship
• master's degree program
• or a coordinated program that combines both the dietetic internship and the masters degree into one program (like UVM's MSD program). 

A Master's Degree is required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist as of January 1, 2024.  The Master's Degree can be in any field.

Which Program is Right for Me?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics maintains databases of internship programs, grad school programs, and coordinated programs. 

Note: If you are searching for a coordinated program make sure to select the check-box that limits your search to "Only Programs that Result in a Graduate Degree," as you will already have your undergraduate degree once you graduate from the UVM dietetics program.

The Career Services office at UVM offer expertise in how to apply to graduate school or for internships. From crafting resumes to pathways to grad school, please contact Career Services today.

Mission

To prepare students with the knowledge and skill to be successful in supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a dedication to lifelong learning, the ability ot effectively communicate, analyze, problem-solve, think critically, and work with others, and an understanding and appreciation of individual, community, and cultural differences.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1

Program graduates will be well prepared to be successful in dietetic internships, graduate schools, and/or employment.

• At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length)”. (RE 3.3.b.1)
• Fifty percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation”. (RE 3.3.b.2)
• Fifty percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program  within 12 months of graduation”. (RE 3.3.b.3.a)
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%”. (RE 3.3.b.3.b)
• 90% of supervised practice program directors will rate graduates’ preparation for supervised practice in the good/excellent category on the annual  Program Director Survey.
• At least 50% of students not applying to supervised practice will go onto graduate or professional programs or work in a nutrition-related field within one year after graduation
• At least 80% of one-year alumni will rate their preparation for supervised practice, graduate school, or employment as satisfactory or better

Goal 2 

Program graduates will know how food systems and weight inclusivity relate to dietetics practice.

• 80% of program graduates will feel confident in their knowledge of how dietetics relates to the larger food system.
• 80% of program graduates will feel confident in applying a weight inclusive perspective in dietetics practice
• 80% of one-year alumni will rate their preparation in food systems as satisfactory or better
• 80% of one-year alumni will rate their preparation in weight inclusive practice as satisfactory or better

For specific objectives for each program goal please review the 

Additional Information

• Cost of Attending UVM
• Admission Requirements
• Academic Calendar
• Financial Aid Information