Undergraduate Program

Students may declare nutrition and dietetics as their major at any time during their academic career. Any student who is accepted at Kent State University as an undergraduate student may declare the major. There are no additional requirements for admission to the program.

The nutrition program is designed to:

Prepare individuals to become registered dietitian nutritionists through the combination of their undergraduate degree, followed by successful completion of a supervised practice experience, a master’s degree, and the registration examination.
Prepare graduates not pursuing a career in dietetics for advanced graduate/ professional study or employment matching their individual interests and professional goals.

The program meets all university, college, and school requirements, as well as incorporates the professional knowledge requirements of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition will result in the awarding of the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and a DPD Verification Statement. The verification statement allows graduates to apply for admission to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited dietetic internship or to apply to take the diet technician exam from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. All individuals who wish to become registered dietitian nutritionists must also complete a graduate degree. Upon successful completion of the dietetic internship and graduate degree, students are eligible to sit for the registration examination to become a registered dietitian.

Nutrition

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition provides students with a broad general education and a strong foundation in nutrition, dietetics and the sciences. The emphasis is integrating theory, research and application of knowledge to the profession of dietetics. The curriculum meets the didactic program in dietetics requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and graduates are eligible for admission to accredited internships.

Learn more

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Student Handbook

Please find the program handbook below, which includes important policies and information for successful completion of the program. Examples of information and important links to information that can be found in the handbook include but are not limited to:

Estimated cost to students, including tuition and fees, necessary books and supplies, transportation, typical charges for room and board or housing, and any other program-specific costs
Academic and program calendar or schedule
Graduation and program completion requirements
Availability of financial aid and loan deferments (federal or private), scholarships, stipends and other monetary support, if applicable

DPD Student Handbook (PDF)

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

The Bachelor’s of Science of Nutrition at Kent State University is a DPD program. You will receive a verification statement at the conclusion of the program that will allow you to apply to dietetic internships. A DPD program is one of a number of pathways to use to become a registered dietitian. Please review the following links for more detailed information on the process of becoming a registered dietitian:

DPD Program Mission

The Kent State University’s Didactic Program in Dietetics Mission is to provide students with a broad general education with a strong foundation in nutrition/dietetics and the sciences. The emphasis will be on providing a program that integrates theory, research, and application of knowledge to the profession of dietetics resulting in successful students and graduates for all backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, size, socioeconomic status, and age.

The program will meet all University, College, and School requirements as well as incorporate the professional knowledge requirements of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Completion of the program will result in the awarding of the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and the DPD verification statement.

DPD Program Goals

Goal #1 – To prepare individuals to become registered dietitians through the combination of their undergraduate degree program followed by successful completion of a supervised practice experience and the registration examination.

At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length)” (This is starting at the Junior year of coursework).
At least 50 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 70 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
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%.

Goal #2 – To prepare graduates for advanced graduate or professional study or employment matching their individual interests.

Students are satisfied (average score of a 3 on a 5pt Likert scale) with their own ability to perform in their selected professional track 12 months post-graduation.
Internship directors and/or preceptors, graduate school coordinators are satisfied (average score of a 3 on a 5pt Likert scale) with student’s ability to perform in their selected professional track 12 months post-graduation.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Please download the DPD program handbook for specific information, policies and important links regarding the program.

Undergraduate Program

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

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