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Nutrition and Dietetics Resources

About Nutrition and Dietetics

Students interested in receiving an education in nutrition and dietetics or becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) must complete the academic coursework required through the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). These requirements can be met through the online B.S. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, which is fully accredited through June 2026 by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600 ext 5400. https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

The DPD at North Carolina Central University offers a professional degree for undergraduate, second-degree and nontraditional students at competitive tuition rates.

DPD Mission

“To graduate culturally diverse leaders who are prepared for supervised practice programs and the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists."

Goals and Objectives

The dietetics program has two primary goals that guide the actions of faculty and administrators to help foster student success:

Goal 1

Program graduates will be prepared for admission to supervised practice or other advanced academic programs.

Objectives

1.1 At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length). 

1.2 At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

1.3 Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 60% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.

Goal 2

Program graduates will be prepared for entry-level employment in food service, nutrition, dietetics, and related fields and have the critical thinking, leadership, and professional skills to work in a wide range of practice settings.

Objectives

2.1 The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 

2.2 At least 80% of supervised practice program directors will indicate satisfaction with program graduates’ preparation for employment and job performance. 

2.3 At least 80% of program graduates will agree they were prepared for a supervised practice program, advanced study programs, or entry-level employment. 

2.4 At least 80% of program graduates will indicate that the DPD curriculum offered opportunities for critical thinking, leadership, and professional skill development. 

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes data are available upon request. Please contact the program director.

Nutrition and Dietetics Programs Offered

The DPD has been designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the program and present themselves as strong applicants for supervised practice programs (dietetic internships).

Undergraduate Programs

Tuition and Costs

View Tuition and Fees for NCCU Online

In addition to tuition and fees, students may be responsible for other education-related expenses:

Parking permit (optional)

$300 yearly

Professional meetings

$10-40 yearly

eNCPT Student Subscription

$25 yearly

Lab coat

$25

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Membership

$58 yearly

NCCU Student Nutrition Association Membership (optional)

$10 yearly

Frequently Asked Questions

Beginning on January 1, 2024, students must have a master’s degree before taking the registration exam for dietitians.

You will need to create accounts with the Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS).

DICAS is an online applicant portal for students applying to dietetic internship programs that participate in the DICAS Match.

Apply for DICAS Matching

Many different factors determine if a student will be admitted into a program; however, commonly desired credentials of a quality intern candidate are:

  • Strong GPA: cumulative, DPD science and DPD professional
  • Relevant work experiences (paid, volunteer, internship or shadowing)
  • Volunteerism
  • Leadership
  • Letters of recommendation (3)
  • Personal statement
  • GRE

Evaluations for prior course credits will be completed by the program director. All official transcripts must be sent directly to the Division of Extended Studies and unofficial copies may be emailed to the program director. For approval of transfer credits, courses must have been completed from an accredited college or university, earned a minimum of a 2.0 or "C" grade, and the course content and descriptions must be comparable. International students should have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES).

Both the B.S. and M.S. in Nutrition are completely online programs, and course sections are offered through distance education and during evening hours. The didactic curriculum does not utilize weekend course offerings.

The didactic program follows the University Academic Calendar. Plan to allow four to six weeks for admission applications to be reviewed. The program admits students during fall, spring, and summer. Application deadlines can be found on the Admissions page or by calling 1-877-678-0006.

The University offers financial aid for degree-seeking students. Scholarships are available for full-time enrolled students.

For details regarding the policies and procedures that govern the undergraduate dietetic program, active students may refer to the DPD Student Handbook.

An exciting aspect of becoming a nutritionist or RDN is the numerous professional opportunities that exist. For an incomplete list of employment opportunities, click here.

  1. Complete the requirements of an ACEND® accredited bachelor’s or master’s program. The required didactic coursework in dietetics consists of various courses in food and nutrition science, clinical dietetics, food service management, nutritional biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and biology.
  2. Receive a verification statement from an accredited university. This statement indicates that an individual has successfully completed all the coursework and is able to demonstrate mastery of the competencies set forth by ACEND. 
  3. Complete a graduate degree and an ACEND® accredited dietetic internship or other supervised practice programs that includes 1000 hours of clinical, community and foodservice experiential practice.
  4. Pass the nationally recognized Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by CDR. For more information about this requirement, visit CDR’s website.
  5. Apply for licensure if practicing and working in North Carolina. The North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition provides licensures to qualified RDNs. Eligible candidates can apply to receive licensure as a licensed dietitian nutritionist (LDN).

The undergraduate DPD at NCCU facilitates matriculation through steps one and two.

The graduate program at NCCU facilitates matriculation through step three.

Contact Us

For more information regarding an education in nutrition and dietetics or to schedule a call, virtual meeting or in-person appointment, please contact Jason M. O'Briant, director of the Undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics.

O'Briant,

O'Briant, Jason

Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics / Asst. Professor

Nutrition Sciences

location icon Miller Morgan, Room 226

email icon [email protected]

phone icon 919-530-7139