Didactic Program in Dietetics

Effective January 1st, 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 31st, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website (https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree).

Mission

The mission of the DPD program at CSUN is to prepare competent dietetic students for acceptance into a supervised practice, an accredited dietetic internship program leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and for entry-level positions in clinical, food service or community nutrition and research. The DPD program mission is also to prepare dedicated dietetic students who demonstrate a life-long learning and have the ability to effectively communicate, analyze, problem-solve, and perform high quality teamwork, and also have an understanding and appreciation of a diverse and multicultural society.

DPD Program Goal 1: Program graduates will be adequately prepared to enter an accredited dietetic internship or supervised practice program.

Program Objectives for Goal 1: 

  1. At least 80% of students program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length).
  2. At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation. 
  3. Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50% are admitted within 12 months of graduation. 
  4. 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 at least 80%.
  5. Over three-year period, 80% of DI, CP or ISPP directors will rate the overall satisfaction of dietetic interns from CSUN's DPD as not less than 3 where=meets expectations and 5=greatly exceeds expectations. 
  6. At least 80% of the DPD program graduate will report "satisfactory" ratings or higher regarding their perceived ability to perform successfully in a supervised practice, entry level nutrition-related position, graduate or a pre-professional program. 

DPD Program Goal 2: Graduates will be admitted into a graduate program.

Program Objectives for Goal 2: 

  1. Within a year of graduation, 30% of graduates will have enrolled in graduate school.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

ACEND Accreditation

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) here at CSUN is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

120 South Riverside Plaza Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600 Ext 5400

https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Filing complaint with ACEND

Coming soon.

 

For any DPD related questions, please contact the DPD Director, email Dr. Elizabeth Dabach or Dr. Dena Herman-Mendes. 

Do you hold a Bachelor’s degree outside the field of nutrition and want to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist? If so, the Post Baccalaureate Dietetic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Certificate is for you! Upon successful completion of the Post Baccalaureate DPD Certificate, students will receive a DPD Verification Statement, be eligible for the DTR exam, ensure eligibility for a graduate degree in nutrition or related field, and to apply for an accredited Dietetic Internship (DI).

Program Requirements

  1. Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to the Certificate program will be processed through the University and reviewed by the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, which will make the final admission decision.

For Spring 2026 Admission, the application period is: August 1, 2025 - November 30, 2025

For admission to this program, an applicant must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree from an officially accredited university or college in any field of study.
  2. Completion of the following prerequisite coursework (or equivalents):

       BIOL 101/BIOL 101L General Biology and Lab

       BIOL 215/L Introductory Microbiology and Lab

       BIOL 281 Human Physiology

       CHEM 101/CHEM 101L General Chemistry I and Lab 

       or CHEM 103/CHEM 103L Introductory Chemistry I and Lab

       CHEM 102/CHEM102L General Chemistry II and Lab

       or CHEM 104/CHEM104L Introductory Chemistry II and Lab

       CHEM 235/L Introductory Organic Chemistry and Lab

       FCS 201/L Introductory Food Science and lab

       FCS 207 Nutrition for Life

  1. Submit a formal application to the program through Cal State Apply.
  2. Submit all of the following documents to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences for admission consideration.
    1. Resume
    2. Personal Statements.
      • Please answer each of the prompts in their respective sections in the application; each response may have up to 200 words. 
      • Prompt 1. Why are you interested in the DPD Certificate? (200 words maximum)
      • Prompt 2. Why are you interested in attending CSUN? (200 words maximum)
      • Prompt 3. Describe a challenging situation you were able to overcome. (200 words maximum)
      • Prompt 4. Discuss your academic journey. Do you think your GPA reflects your full academic potential? Why or why not? Use your response as an opportunity to share factors (e.g. work, family life, personal history) that may have impacted your grades (positively or negatively). (200 words maximum)
      • Prompt 5. What experiences and relevant skills (past and present) would contribute to your ability to work effectively with people from diverse populations (e.g. disability status, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, the LGBTQ community, consumers of social/mental health services, etc.)? (200 words maximum)
      • Prompt 6. (Optional). What else would you like us to know that will help us consider your application to the DPD Certificate program at CSUN? (200 words maximum)
    3. Copy of Unofficial Transcripts
      Please highlight the prerequisite courses on each unofficial transcript to show the prerequisites have been completed.
    4. Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for admission, and at least one of the letters should be from a former/current instructor of a college course. Letters should be addressed to the DPD Certificate Admissions Committee.

  1. Have the complete application and supporting documents reviewed and the applicant approved for admission by the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

 

  1. Program Requirements

     CHEM 365 and CHEM 365L Introduction to Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)

     FCS 301 Food Science and Technology (3)

     FCS 304 Food Service Production (2)

     FCS 307 Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients (3)

     FCS 308 Advanced Nutrition Micronutrients (3)

     FCS 321/L Contemporary Issues in Foods and Nutrition and Lab (2/1)

     FCS 380 Family and Consumer Sciences Foundations and Research (3)

     FCS 402 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)

     FCS 403 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3)

     FCS 404/L Food Service System Management and Lab (2/1)

     FCS 405 Drug Nutrient Interactions (3)

     FCS 408 Community Nutrition (3)

     FCS 494/I Academic Internship and Evaluation (2/1)

 

Total Units Required for the Certificate: 39

The program will take approximately four semesters to complete taking 3-4 courses per semester.

 

Please contact Dr. Elizabeth J. Sussman-Dabach, DPD Director, if you have any questions.

 

 

Are you studying to take the RD/RDN exam? Below you will find some helpful information.

 

The exam is given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); it will be extremely helpful to review their website first. CDR’s website and exam resources include:

  • a comprehensive study outline
  • suggested study references
  • a How to Study for an Exam infographic, and
  • practice exam questions, answers and rationales

 

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful (note: most of these resources are available for a fee. These resources are not connected to CSUN in any way).  

Did you know you can complete the Medical School Admission Requirements as a Nutrition major at CSUN? Yes, you can! If you are interested in this career pathway, please self-enroll in the CSUN Pre Health canvas course to find out all of the details and requirements!