Nutrition and Food Science BS: Option in General Dietetics (DPD)

A Bachelor's Degree of Nutrition and Food Science with an Option in General Dietetics will prepare students to serve a culturally diverse community by engaging students in pre-professional nutrition-related activities that serve Northern California.

Declaring the Option in General Dietetics indicates acceptance into Chico State's acredited Didaditc Program in Dietetics (DPD). Learn about Chico State's DPD Program and the pathway to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Complete program information can be found in the General Dieteic Program Handbook.

Mission

The Mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics is to:

• Provide a broad educational background to develop competent and productive students in preparation for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist or a nutrition dietetic technician registered, while using resources in a sustainable manner.
• Prepare students to serve a culturally diverse community by engaging students in pre-professional nutrition-related activities that serve Northern California.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Graduate students who have a variety of experiences and learning opportunities, preparing them for entry-level positions in the field of dietetics

• Objective 1.1: At least 60% of students will complete a nutrition-related practicum or externship experience that serves the Northern California community prior to program completion.
• Objective 1.2: At least 70% of students will report on their exit survey that they participated in a pre-professional organization (e.g. student nutrition clubs, Center for Healthy Communities, FitU, California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

Goal 2: Graduate diverse, competent, entry-level practitioners who obtain employment in dietetics or related fields.

• Objective 2.1: At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length)
• Objective 2.2: 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%
• Objective 2.3: Graduate Application and Acceptance into Supervised Practice: At least 40% percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation
• Objective 2.4: Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 60% percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation
• Objective 2.5: 75% or more of dietetic internship directors will indicate that the DPD graduate was prepared or very prepared in all of the content areas when surveyed within 12-24 months of the graduation date.
• Objective 2.6: At least 30% of the DPD students will identify with a race/ethnicity or gender that is often underrepresented in the field of dietetics
• Objective 2.7: At least 60% of DPD graduates who respond to a post-graduation survey will be enrolled in a supervised practice program, graduate program, or employed in a nutrition and dietetics-related field within 12 months of graduation

 Program outcomes are available on request.

Eligibility Requirements

Students completing a bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Food Science generally declare the option in General Dietetics during the spring semester of their sophomore year or when they have 4-5 semesters remaining. Students are eligible to declare the option only after meeting the eligibility requirements:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 for all college-level work
• Completion of the following prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher:
  • MATH 105 (Statistics)
  • BIOL 104 (Physiology)
  • BIOL 211 (Microbiology with lab)
  • CHEM 107 (General Chemistry for Applied Sciences with lab)
  • CHEM 108 (Organic Chemistry for Applied Sciences with lab)
  • NFSC 340 (Human Nutrition)
    It is highly recommended that CHEM 350/L (Introductory Biochemistry) or KINE 324 (Exercise Metabolism) be in progress or completed the semester students intend to declare the option.

Declare the Option in General Dietetics

1. Meet with a pre-dietetics advisor to review eligiblity for the Option in General Dietetics
2. Complete and submit your Intent to Declare Dietetics (IDD) request
   Your IDD request must include:
   
   • Student Information
   • Dietetics Eligibility Review and Course Plan, completed in collaboration with a pre-dietetics advisor
   • Resume
   • One-page written personal statement about why you want to be a dietitian and what your goals are for a career in dietetics

Students who meet the eligibility requirements will be admitted to the Option in General Dietetics for the following fall semester. Student work experience and career goals are used for advising purposes only and are not considered as eligibility requirements for the DPD program.

If you have additional questions after reading all instructions, please direct them to Laura Curtis, Director of the Dietetics Program at lccurtis@csuchico.edu.

Transfer and Post-Baccalaureate Students

Transfer students are eligible to declare the Option in General Dietetics after completing one semester at Chico State and after completing the pre-requisites. Upon transferring, an advisor can help you determine which classes to take to ensure timely completion of the program.

Only current Chico State undergraduate majors in Nutrition and Food Science may submit an IDD Packet. If you are not currently a Chico State student and have a bachelor's degree already but would like to complete our accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), you must apply to the Master's Program in Nutritional Science.

Credit for Prior Learning Experiences

Applicants who have previously completed coursework in nutrition or related fields may be eligible for credit through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.

Upon acceptance into the DPD program, a course-by-course and KRDN-by KRDN assessment will be conducted to determine which DPD knowledge requirements have already been met. The DPD director may assess previous learning by requesting course syllabi, individual assignments, or conduct oral or written examination. Applicants with Foreign Degrees requesting credit for prior learning experiences will need to submit a foreign transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES).The DPD Director will create an Individualized Planned Program Length (IPPL) and Verification Plan that lists only the remaining required DPD courses. Students must acknowledge and sign their IPPL at enrollment.