Program Overview

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is a program designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become a registered dietitian.

Academic Advising

The CHHS Academic Advising Center offers advising for general education courses as well as major-specific advising for course sequencing. Students are encouraged to check in with CHHS advisors early and often to ensure timely graduation and make sure they are able to excel in the program.

Faculty Mentors

For questions about career options, graduate school, and selecting the right major, students can email their faculty mentor. Students are advised by their last name, with the following faculty mentors:

• A-F: Dr. Gail Frank
• G-L: Dr. Rachel Blaine
• M-R: Dr. Michelle Barrack
• S-Z: Dr. Virginia Gray

Before You Declare

If a student is considering this major or changing to this degree track, they are recommended to meet with an advisor at the CHHS Academic Advising Center. The advisor will assist the student in determining their schedule of classes. The program has GPA standards (minimum 3.0) and science GPA standards (2.8) for entrance into the degree.

Assessment of Prior Coursework

Assessment of prior learning for clinical nutrition students is conducted on a case-by-case basis by the DPD director and DPD faculty. The program does not provide academic credit for experiential learning.

Newly Admitted Transfer Students

If a student is an admitted student transferring in with DPD-related courses from another institution, they will need to send copies of the syllabi for the semesters that they took the course(s) to the DPD Director. The syllabi should show the topics, schedule, readings, dates, and will be on file at the departments where the student took the courses.

How We Evaluate Prior Learning

The program will review the course learning outcomes, content, assessments, and level of depth, and compare it to the relevant course offered at CSULB. If a course does not meet a Core Knowledge Requirement, the program will likely not be able to award credit for it, even if the content is very similar.

Successful Completion of the DPD

Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in all DPD courses and passing grades on Core Knowledge assessments to meet the program requirements, which result in a Verification Statement. Students are encouraged to achieve A's and B's in coursework, since a high GPA is critical to being a competitive applicant for dietetic internships and graduate school.

Verification Statements for Grads

A verification statement is an official, signed document issued by the DPD director, which confirms successful program completion and readiness to complete a dietetic internship. Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in all DPD courses and passing grades on Core Knowledge assessments to meet the program requirements.

Requesting Verification Statements

To have a verification statement issued, students will be required to complete exit paperwork for the program upon or prior to graduation. This paperwork includes a fee ($40) for final transcript evaluation and the issuing of the statement.

When Will My Verification Statement Be Ready?

Assuming the student requested graduation on time and completed all records and requirements, the program should be able to process the verification statement within 4-6 weeks of graduation.

Undergraduate Advising

If students have questions about class enrollment/scheduling, pre-requisites, or other advising questions, they should contact the CHHS Academic Advising Center first.

• Choose an advising sheet according to the year the student declared Nutrition and Dietetics as their major.