How do I meet DPD requirements if I already have a degree?
Specific dietetics coursework is required as a step towards becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). The coursework is a requirement for individuals who do not already have a degree in dietetics from an American Dietetic Association (ADA) accredited program in the USA.
If you hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in another field, you can complete the required dietetics coursework through the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) either as a non-degree seeking student or through the Nutrition BS. Those seeking an advanced degree may choose the graduate program in Nutrition (MS) or Public Health Nutrition (MPH). To become an RD, the courses must be completed no matter which option you choose.
Students pursuing the graduate degree must complete the dietetics coursework in addition to the graduate program requirements. The dietetics coursework can be completed during or prior to beginning the graduate program.
The MS degree is offered through the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. It is research-intensive and entrance to the program is competitive. The MPH is offered through the School of Public Health. Consult Public Health for program information and entrance requirements.
Following the completion of the didactic coursework requirements you will need to complete your Supervised Practice Experience. There are two options for Supervised Practice:
- A one-year post baccalaureate dietetic internship which you apply for upon completion of DPD coursework requirements. Dietetic Internships are sponsored by a healthcare facilities, colleges or universities, federal/state agencies or businesses and are located in most geographic areas within the United States. Most programs charge tuition/fees; some may provide a stipend. Acceptance to dietetic internship programs is competitive.
- A graduate school program integrating the academic and dietetic internship components, e.g., the Dietetic Internship for Graduate Students (DIGS) is available for students in both the MS and MPH nutrition programs at the University of Minnesota.
To successfully compete for either of these options, you should maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Finally, in order to become a RD, you will need to pass the National Registration Examination, which is taken after the DPD and Supervised Practice Experience are complete. Furthermore, you must complete of continuing professional education requirements to maintain your registration.
Please see the section entitled “How to Apply” for details about how to become a student in the program
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What should I do if I want to transfer from a different institution?
If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you can complete the Nutrition and Dietetics degree through our undergraduate Nutrition BS program. If you are interested in transferring to the Nutrition and Dietetics program, please visit the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences website for information for transfer students.
Following the completion of the didactic requirements you will need to complete your Dietetic Internship.
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What should I do if I'm an RD from a different country seeking registration in the US?
If you are already a RD in a different country, please visit the ADA website. Click on “International Fact Sheet”, and scroll down to the question and answer for Question #6, regarding completion of education, training, and credentials outside the US.
If coursework was completed outside of the USA, the transcripts must first be evaluated for foreign degree equivalency, on a course-by-course basis, and a letter certifying foreign degree equivalency must be obtained. There are several companies that provide such as service. The World Education Service is one such company that ADA has identified Other companies are listed on the ADA web site.
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What is the Didactic Program in Dietetics coursework?
These foundation and professional courses are a required component to becoming a Registered Dietitian and/or the Nutrition B.S.
Foundation Courses
BioC 3021 Biochemistry
Biol 1009 General Biology
Chem 1021 Chemical Principles I
Chem 1022 Chemical Principles II
Chem 2301 Organic Chemistry I
Math 1031 College Algebra
Phsl 3051 Human Physiology with Laboratory
Stat 3011 Introduction to Statistical Analysis
VBS 2032 or MicB 3301 General Microbiology with Laboratory
Professional Courses
FScN 1102 Food: Safety, Risks, and Technology
FScN 1112 Principles of Nutrition
FScN 3102 Introduction to Food Science
FScN 3612 Lifecycle Nutrition
FScN 3614 Nutrition Education and Counseling
FScN 3615 Socio-Cultural Aspects of Food, Nutrition and Health
FScN 3731 Food Service Operations Management Laboratory
FSCN 3732 Food Service Operations Management
FScN 4612 Human Nutrition
FScN 4613 Experimental Nutrition
FScN 4614 Community Nutrition
FScN 4665 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
FScN 4666 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
FScN 4732 Principles of Food and Nutrition Management
FScN 4621W Nutrition and Metabolism
General Course Information
All FScN Courses
University of Minnesota Courses
University of Minnesota Class Schedule
Sample Program for Nutrition BS Degree-Seeking Students
See Sample Program.
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How do I apply or enroll in courses?
If you are an undergraduate degree-seeking transfer student, please contact the Office of Admissions for more information about applying to the University of Minnesota. Also, visit the College of Food, Agricultural and Resource Sciences' website for additional information for transfer students.
If you are a non-degree seeking student wishing to take only the necessary coursework needed to obtain a verification statement (the document verifying all course requirements have been met), you will need a departmental transcript evaluation to determine which, if any, courses are needed to complete the DPD requirements. Contact dpd@umn.edu for a transcript evaluation appointment.
Graduate degree-seeking students visit the admissions page of the graduate program in Nutrition (MS) and contact dpd@umn.edu for a transcript evaluation appointment. Contact the School of Public Health if you are interested in the degree in Public Health Nutrition (MPH) for transcript evaluation information.
For persons who are not graduates of the University of Minnesota or who are not currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota, there is a nonrefundable $150 fee for the transcript evaluation.
Please make checks payable to the University of Minnesota, and submit your payment with complete, official transcripts and other required documents as described below.
Foreign degrees and coursework: If coursework was completed outside of the USA, the transcripts must first be evaluated for foreign degree equivalency, on a course-by-course basis, and a letter certifying foreign degree equivalency must be obtained.
Several companies that provide transcript evaluations. See the World Education Service and ADA . (Click on “International Fact Sheet”, and scroll down to the question and answer for Question #6, regarding completion of education, training, and credentials outside the US.)
If you have previous coursework that you believe may transfer in place of a DPD course, a syllabus and course description are required at the time of transcript evaluation. Past coursework needs to meet the recency guidelines of the program: foundation courses must be 10 years old or less, and nutrition courses must be 5 years old or less, and Medical Nutrition Therapy I & II must be 3 years old or less. This assures a strong academic foundation in the areas pertinent to the program.
Only when all transcripts, foreign degree equivalency certification letter by the World Education Service or similar institution (if needed), course syllabi/descriptions, and the transcript evaluation fee have been received, will the evaluation be done. Please provide your current US Postal mailing address, so the results can be mailed.
After completion of the transcript evaluation, a list of the required courses will be mailed to you. Completion of this list of courses is needed to have verification of completion of the academic requirements which will make you eligible to complete the dietetic internship.
For Further Information
Contact: dpd@umn.edu
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