Dietetics

Nutrition plays a vital role in health and disease. There is growing evidence of the role of diet in the prevention, development, and treatment of major diseases. To maximize one's health requires that professionals have a strong understanding of nutrition. The Registered Dietitian (RD) credential is the nationally recognized credential in nutrition and is required for most employment in the health care industry and preferred for many other employment opportunities in foods and nutrition.

To become an RD you must complete a four-year academic program, a supervised experience, and than pass a national examination for registration. Scores on the national RD examination by Purdue graduates are consistently above the national average, and students from the department have a 100 percent passage rate. Purdue offers two programs in dietetics.

Didactic Program (DPD)

This is a four-year academic program followed by application elsewhere for your supervised experience. The experience programs are available throughout the United States and last about 10 months. An advantage to the DPD is the extra time to take elective courses in other areas of interest such as business, fitness, etc.

Coordinated Program (CPD)

This program includes the supervised experience component during your senior year at Purdue. An advantage to the CPD is that you are eligible to take the examination for registration after completion of your BS degree. The CPD requires a separate application after attaining at least junior status. All the didactic course work for the CPD is taken the first 3 years of the curriculum.  

Upon successful completion of your coursework, you will receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Purdue University and verification that you have completed the CPD. You are then eligible to take the Registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian.

Plan of Study, Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Four Year Plan, Coordinated Program in Dietetics

CPD Handbook 2012-2014

 

Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) 

This pathway is designed to provide a supervised practice experience for individuals who have a DPD verification statement from Purdue University but did not receive a match for a dietetic internship.  The ISPP is administered through the DPD program at Purdue University in conjunction with Purdue's Extended Campus.  Individuals accepted to the ISPP are not registered students, are not eligible for financial aid, or student services.  Please refer to the ISPP Handbook for details about the program.
 
Upon successful completion of the ISPP, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and a verification statement.  The verification statement allows you to write the national examination for becoming a Registered Dietitian.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Career Options

Our top-ranked program will help you become a registered dietitian, the nationally recognized credential of nutrition experts. You will find career possibilities as:

  • Clinical nutrition specialist
  • Community dietitian
  • Dietetic consultant
  • Foodservice manager
  • Journalist
  • Public health officer
  • Sales representative
  • Wellness and fitness program director

Coursework

  • Chemistry
  • Diet selection and planning
  • Foodservice systems management
  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Medical nutrition therapy
  • Nutrition
  • Nutrition assessment

  • See a complete list of Nutrition Science courses

Experiential Learning

  • Get to know the profession with a summer work experience in dietetics
  • Work in a foods and nutrition position in business, industry, or government
  • Apply your communication and instructional skills in a community setting, health facility, or nutrition program
  • Experience foodservice systems management by working in a foodservice facility
  • Learn to use computers to evaluate and plan diets

Accreditation

The DPD and the CPD at Purdue have been reviewed by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and are accredited based on the standards for dietetics education programs in the U.S. 

Inquiries should be directed to the ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics), Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-0040 ext 5400, ACEND@eatright.org.                                                                                            Return to top

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