Nutrition and Dietetics Major, B.S.

The mission of the MSU Denver Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is to prepare diverse students from the Denver Metropolitan area for successful careers in food, nutrition and dietetics by providing quality education in the core knowledge requirements for the registered dietitian that is culturally sensitive and instills a desire for life-long learning.

Goal 1: Prepare students for a career using their knowledge of food, nutrition and dietetics.

Objectives:

1. 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%.
2. Seventy percent of graduates will report being employed in food, nutrition and dietetics; in graduate school; or in a supervised practice within 1 year of graduation.
3. Eighty percent of graduates in supervised practice rate themselves as prepared.
4. Supervised practice program directors rate at least 80% of graduates as prepared for supervised practice.

Goal 2: Students from a diverse background will graduate and be successfully placed in jobs, internships or graduate school.

Objectives:

1. At least 80% of full-time students who enter the program complete the program/degree requirements within three years (150% program length). At least 80% of part-time students complete the program/degree requirements within four and a half years (150% of the program length).
2. 35% of students will be males, persons of color, Hispanic, non-traditional age (> 25 years at admission), Military Veterans, LGBT+ or have documented disability.
3. Fifty percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
4. Thirty percent of graduates are admitted into a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.

Goal 3: Students will embrace life-long learning to improve professional practice by participating in continuing education after graduation.

Objective:

1. Seventy percent of graduates responding to the graduate survey indicate they have attended or participated in a continuing education activity such as a seminar, conference, webinar or self-study

Programs outcome data are available upon request by emailing: [email protected]

DPD Course List Form 2008 & 2009

DPD Course List Form 2010 & 2011

DPD Course List Form 2012

DPD Course List Form 2013

DPD Course List Form 2014

DPD Course List Form 2015

DPD Course List Form 2016

DPD Course List Form 2017

DPD Course List Form 2018

DPD Course List Form 2019

DPD Course List Form 2020

DPD Course List Form 2021-2022

Department of Nutrition BS and MS DPD Handbook

The steps to become an RDN are:

1. Receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (DPD programs are one way to receive a verification statement)
2. Apply for and complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship or Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway program
3. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Please visit the Academy website for more information.

Students enrolled in the B.S. Nutrition and Dietetics program are not required to pursue becoming an RDN. Career opportunities for non-RDN nutrition professionals do exist. However, students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss the option of becoming an RDN and how the RDN vs non-RDN pathway could impact their future career. To schedule an advising session, please email [email protected] or call 303-615-0990.

Students who complete all required Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework and receive a DPD verification statement can apply for Dietetic Internships the final semester of their B.S. Nutrition and Dietetics program. prior to starting or finishing the MSND program.

For further questions, please email us at [email protected] 

Most Dietetic Internship programs cost money to complete. Students are paying for an experiential learning opportunity while enrolled in a Dietetic Internship program. Costs for Dietetic Internships approximately range from $5,000-$50,000, depending on location, completion of a master’s degree along with the internship, etc. Dietetic Internships tied to graduate credit are eligible for financial aid to cover expenses.

Further, it should be noted that most Dietetic Internships are full-time programs which require the student to complete rotations in the field on a full-time, 40 hour a week, basis. Students are not paid for this time.

Dietetic Internships are therefore, unpaid experiences that have a cost. The Department of Nutrition can help you determine strategies for overcoming cost barriers associated with the Dietetic Internship. To schedule an appointment with an advisor to speak more about this, call 303-615-0990 or email [email protected].

Full-time Dietetic Internships typically range from 6-12 months. Part-time Dietetic Internships typically range from 1-2 years in length.

The Department of Nutrition offers many resources for students as they prepare for applying to Dietetic Internships including:

• Individual advising sessions with faculty and staff to review internship application materials (application, resume, personal statement, etc.)
• Workshops to discuss the application process

Effective January 1, 2024, the CDR will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a RDN. For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Yes! Students who complete MSU Denver’s Nutrition and Dietetics 3+2 Program, earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degree at the end of the five year program and are eligible to apply for Dietetic Internships in the last semester of the program.