Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor's degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement, visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Dietitian Nutritionist Program at the University of Pittsburgh are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
Pennsylvania RD/RDNs must be licensed to practice. In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice that vary by state or territory. For more information about state and U.S. territory licensure and credentialing requirements, click here.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN, click here.
The Dietitian Nutritionist Program, housed within the Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, is a graduate degree program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This competency-based educational program integrates experiential learning with didactic coursework to enable students to demonstrate the higher level of competence that will be needed for future practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The program is an early adopter demonstration program accredited under the Future Education Model Graduate Degree Program Standards.
This accelerated program offers points of entry for:
- qualified undergraduates
- post-baccalaureate candidates
- graduates of Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD).
Undergraduate students will earn both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. Students who enter the program with a bachelor's degree will earn a Master of Science.
Program Summaries
For DPD graduates:
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Dietitian Nutritionist Program Summary (for DPD graduates) |
|---|
| Bachelor's degree from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and prerequisites required to begin the program |
| 2 years (4 terms) (full-time only) |
| Program starts fall term only; Average class size: 14 |
| 60 credits total will be required to graduate |
For undergraduates:
The Dietitian Nutritionist Program Accelerated Master of Science is an upper-division program. This means students are required to have 60 college credits before beginning the program in the fall term. During your first- and sophomore years of college, you will complete the program prerequisite courses along with introductory courses and electives you may need for a second major, minor or intended graduate studies. You will apply to the program spring term of your sophomore year, or after completing roughly 45 college credits. Students may be in the process of completing all required credits and admission requirements when applying to SHRS.
High school and transfer students: Remember to reach out to the SHRS Enrollment Team to discuss your path ahead!
|
Dietitian Nutritionist Program Summary (for undergraduates) |
|---|
| 61-63 credits required to begin program (see prerequisite courses) |
| 3 years (6 terms) |
| Program starts fall term only; Average class size: 13 |
| 156 credits total required to graduate |
*In year one students in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program are billed at the undergraduate rate. In years two and three students in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program are billed at the graduate rate.
For post-baccalaureate students:
|
Dietitian Nutritionist Program Summary (for post baccalaureates) |
|---|
| Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree that is not from a Didactic Program in Dietetics and completion of prerequisite courses required to begin program (see prerequisite courses) |
| 3 years (6 terms) |
| Program starts fall term only; Average class size: 5 |
| 93-95 credits required to graduate |
*In year one students in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program are billed at the undergraduate rate. In years two and three students in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program are billed at the graduate rate.
The Dietitian Nutritionist Program offers opportunities for students to complete a 12-week rotation in a specialty area of nutrition.
Preparation for a career in dietetics as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) requires the following:
- completion of an approved college degree program (accredited by ACEND)
- completion of an accredited supervised experiential learning (providing a minimum of 1000 hours)*
- successful performance on the national Registration Examination for Dietitians**
No matter your professional goals in the Dietetics profession, this program provides a competitive edge for today’s health care environment. Upon successful completion of the Dietitian Nutritionist Program graduates are eligible to take the CDR national registration examination for Dietitians. Graduates passing the registration exam are eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania by the Board of Nursing. For licensing information please visit instructions for Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN) Applicants.
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.
*This program provides the supervised experiential learning required to become an RDN. The experiential practice sites are randomly assigned and public transportation is not available to all sites. All students should anticipate the necessity of having a car accessible to them for all years of the program. The program does not grant credit for prior experience or direct assessment for student's prior learning.
**The credentialing exam requirements are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
***Access to a computing device is required for the DN Program curriculum , in-class activities and online classes. Students will need access to a computer with a camera, a high-speed Internet connection, and updated version of a web browser, and access to common tools and software such as Microsoft email, as well as program specific software listed under Program Costs. If there is a concern with access to the above requirements, please contact the Program Director immediately for support. Here is a guide to assist with purchasing your technology Computer Specs and Discounts for Students & Personal Use | Information Technology | University of Pittsburgh
For more information on becoming an RDN, visit www.eatright.org.