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California State University, Long Beach
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
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Didactic Program in Dietetics

(562)985-4484 (voice)
(562)985-4414 (fax)

The following provides a general description of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), the procedure for transcript evaluation, employment opportunities in dietetics, financial aid, and the DPD Student Manual.

General Description

The DPD is the set of course work in the Nutrition and Dietetics Option of the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Dietetics and Food Administration that fulfills the academic requirements for a student to become a Registered Dietitian (RD).  The DPD at CSULB is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800/877-1600. All students who meet the program requirements receive a Verification Statement. This verifies that they have successfully completed the DPD.

The B.S. degree with the Option in Nutrition and Dietetics (major code FCS_BS01) is composed of a minimum of 131 units that includes 51 general education units.  Additional information about the Option in Nutrition and Dietetics can be obtained at  the Nutrition and Dietetics site.

Students study a variety of subjects, ranging from food and nutrition sciences, food service systems management, business, computer science, culinary arts, sociology, and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy, and chemistry. 

If you are considering this major or have recently declared this as your major, please meet with an advisor who will assist you in determining your schedule of classes.  Contact the Department at the above number to be directed to the appropriate advisor.  This information is also listed at the end of the Nutrition and Dietetics site.

If you already have a Bachelor’s Degree (or a more advanced degree), you may elect to take only the courses for the DPD.  If you have a foreign degree, please visit the American Dietetic Association website at www.eatright.org, click on “Careers and Students” and then “International Fact Sheet.”  You are advised to consult with the DPD Director for the courses you need to take.  The contact information for the CSULB DPD Director can be obtained from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Office at (562) 985-4484. See the following general procedures under Transcript Evaluation for determining required courses.

In addition to a Bachelor’s degree with the accredited curriculum, completion of a supervised practice experience is necessary to meet the requirements to become a RD.  For a list of facilities that offer this experience again use the following website, www.eatright.org – click on “Careers & Students,” then “Accredited Education Programs,” and finally “Dietetic Internships.” Those who meet the educational and supervised practice requirements and pass a national registration examination, then receive the RD credential.

Transcript Evaluation

To determine which Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements you may already have fulfilled at other colleges/ universities as well as which courses you still need to take to meet the DPD requirements, your transcripts need to be evaluated by the DPD Director.  If you feel that you have completed all or almost all of the requirements at another campus, you should have the DPD Director at that campus evaluate your transcripts.

Procedures:

  1. Students who have received their degree(s) from FOREIGN universities must first have their transcripts validated as to their equivalency to degree(s) from an accredited university in the United States or its territories.  Agencies are available in a number of U.S. cities and their addresses can be obtained from the American Dietetic Association (800/877-1600) or at www.eatright.org.  You should request a coursework area analysis when you have your evaluation done by this agency.  Please submit an official copy of the Foreign Equivalency statement with official copies of all of your college/ university transcripts to the DPD Director as explained in #2 below.
  2. If you have had your education within the United States or its territories OR if you have completed step #1, then you need to have the DPD Director evaluate your transcripts.
  • Print out the transcript evaluation fee form.  Be sure to include your address and the phone number where you can be reached in case of questions.
  • Take the completed form, plus cash or check to pay for this service to the Cashier’s Office on campus (Brotman Hall, Room 148) or you may mail it in with your check to: Cashier’s Office (Room 148), Brotman Hall, CSULB, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840.  The fee for the transcript evaluation is currently $15.00 for CSULB students and $25.00 for non-CSULB students.
  • Upon payment, this form is to be returned to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (ATTN: DPD Director) with a set of your official transcripts. Upon receipt of the form and transcripts, the DPD Director will evaluate your coursework.  Allow 3-4 weeks for processing.
  • You will receive a letter in the mail indicating which courses you will need to take to meet the DPD requirements or if the DPD requirements have been met.  To receive a Verification Statement indicating completion of all DPD requirements from CSULB, you will need to take a minimum of eight units in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS).  The eight units include: HFHM 477 (Foodservice Administration), NUTR 436L (Nutritional Status Assessment Techniques), and NUTR 438 (Medical Nutrition Therapy).
  • When the courses indicated above have been completed, provide proof (i.e., final transcript) to the DPD Director.  Copies of the Verification of Completion Statement will be mailed to you.  For further information about verification statements, see the website www.eatright.org, click on “Careers & Students” and then “Career FAQs.”

Financial Aid

There are numerous types of financial assistance available through CSULB financial aid programs and other sources.  Please contact the CSULB Office of Financial Aid at 562/985-8403 or visit the financial aid website.

After you are enrolled as a student in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, contact the Department Office for other sources of funding.  These may be in the form of traineeships, assistantships, or scholarships from local, state, and national organizations.

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) offers scholarships to encourage eligible students to enter the field of dietetics.  Students enrolled in their junior year in a CADE-accredited program may apply for an ADA scholarship.  Scholarships are also available for students in dietetic internships and graduate studies.  Contact ADA’s Education and Accreditation Team at 800/877-1600 ext. 5400 for ADA Scholarship information or use the website www.eatright.org and click on “Scholarships and Financial Aid.”

Employment Opportunities

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are considered food and nutrition experts.  They have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

  • Completion of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), the credentialing agency of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
  • Completion of a supervised practice program accredited by CADE of the ADA.
  • Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

In order to maintain registration, the RD must provide evidence of fulfilling continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.  Some RDs hold additional certifications in the specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, and diabetes education.  These certifications are awarded through CDR and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required.

In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners.  Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become a RD.

RDs work in:

  • Hospitals, HMOs, or other health care facilities, educating patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team.  They may also manage the foodservice operations in these settings, as well in schools, day-care centers, and correctional facilities, overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing staff.
  • Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs, educating clients about the connection between food, fitness, and health.
  • Food and nutrition-related businesses and industries, working in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, or product development.
  • Private practice, working under contract with health care or food companies, or in their own business.  RDs may provide services to foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors, and distributors, or athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees.
  • Community and public health settings teaching, monitoring, and advising the public, and helping to improve their quality of life through healthy eating habits.
  • Universities and medical centers, teaching physicians, nurses, dietetics students, and others the sophisticated science of foods and nutrition.

Reference: The American Dietetic Association.  Check it out: Careers in dietetics.  Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association, 1997.

Salary & Employment Outlook

Employment opportunities related to Nutrition and Dietetics professionals are being influenced by the nation’s changing demographics, and the increased dietary consciousness of the general public.  The U.S. Department of Statistics projects an increasing population of retiring senior citizens which is expected to result in an increased demand for nutritional services in hospitals, retirement homes, and senior citizen nutrition programs.  The U.S. Department of Labor projects a large proportion of women of child-bearing age participating in the work force with a larger proportion of youngsters in day care and preschools which is expected to increase the demand for nutrition professionals to conduct research, develop training programs and manage programs. 

More information

More detailed information about employment opportunities and current salary information can be obtained from the service Jobs in Dietetics. For more information on professional activities, visit the websites of the California Dietetic Association or the American Dietetic Association.

    Transcript Evaluation Fee Form        DPD Student Manual     

© 2001- 2006 Jacqueline D. Lee, PhD, RD
All rights reserved.