Nutrition and Dietetics

Additional education and testing is required to become an RD. You need to complete the following three steps:

1. A Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) concentration with a GPA higher than 3.0
2. A Dietetics Internship, usually involving another nine months of study
   • Admission to internships is competitive, so it is important to maintain a high GPA while pursuing your bachelor’s degree
   • For additional information visit the Dietetic Internship page
3. Successfully pass the Registration Examination for dietitians 

No. There are several entry-level positions in dietetics, nutrition and wellness-related fields that do not require a master’s degree or a registered dietitian credential. Please visit our careers page for more information.

A dietetic internship is the internship that is accredited by ACEND and is the necessary component to earning your registered dietitian credentials. One is eligible for this internship after successfully completing DPD requirements. DPD students are encouraged to maintain a high GPA throughout their B.S. degree program.

An internship is either a paid or unpaid job experience for which you may or may not receive academic credit. Standard internships are separate and not applied toward the Dietetic Internship Program.