Application to the Option in General Dietetics

General Dietetics Information

You must complete the option in General Dietetics if you want to obtain the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.

Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RDN credential:

1. Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
   • Courses in THIS General Dietetics Option meet the requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
2. Complete a post-baccalaureate ACEND accredited supervised practice program
   (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics > Dietetic Internships(opens in new window)).
3. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website at Commission on Dietetic Registration(opens in new window)
4. Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

The Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) has mandated that beginning January 1, 2024, a minimum of a graduate degree will be required to sit for the RDN credential exam.

Application: Option in Dietetics

Forms

• Dietetics Application Instructions (PDF)
• Dietetics Application (PDF)
• Recommendation Form (PDF)
• Late Application Petition (DOC)(opens in new window) - if submitting application after the  March 1st deadline.
• Admission to the Option in General Dietetics: Policies and Procedures (PDF)

Advising: NFSC Academic Advisors

Application Overview*

1. Application instructions and submission details are located in the documents above. If you have additional questions after reading all instructions, please direct them to the Director of the Dietetics Program (Laura Curtis, lccurtis@csuchico.edu(opens in new window), HOLT 334).

   1. A Dietetics Application packet must be submitted by March 1st.
   2. Application packets must provide:
      1. Application form
      2. Course plan form
      3. College transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
      4. Resume
      5. One-page written personal statement about your career goals
      6. A copy of your prerequisite GPA
      7. Two completed Recommendation Forms (PDF) (PDF). We will NOT accept letters of recommendation from the chair of the NFSC department, the DPD Director, family members, friends, family friends, co-workers, or classmates.
   3. Applications are reviewed by a committee which ranks all applications for placement. 
      Admission to Dietetics Option Policies and Procedures (PDF) (PDF) *

*If you are applying to CSU, Chico you DO NOT complete a separate application for the option in General Dietetics.

In general, transfer students are eligible to apply to the option in Dietetics AFTER completing one semester at CSU, Chico AND have completed the pre-requisites. A major advisor will help you determine when you should apply to the option in Dietetics. 

Students not selected for the General Dietetics option are encouraged to meet with an NFSC faculty advisor. Students not selected may reapply one additional semester.

Prerequisites for Admission  to the Option in General Dietetics

Prerequisites for Admission  to the Option in General Dietetics
The cumulative grade point average for all college-level work must be a minimum of 2.75.
The following prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher:

• MATH 105, BIOL 104, BIOL 211, CHEM 107, CHEM 108, NFSC 340.
  It is highly recommended that CHEM 350 or KINE 324 be in progress or completed the semester students apply for admission to the option.

Note: Only current CSU Chico undergraduate nutrition majors may submit this application. If you are not currently a CSU Chico student and have a bachelors degree but would like to complete our General Dietetics program, you must apply to the graduate program.