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Students
Tuition Fee
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
12 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Diploma
Major
Nutrition Science
Area of study
Health
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview


Saint Louis University's Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is a certificate program designed for individuals with non-dietetics degrees who want to become registered dietitians
utritionists. It emphasizes generalist competencies, specific professional skills, lifelong learning, and social responsibility. Accredited by ACEND, the program offers two curricular tracks and boasts high pass rates on the CDR credentialing exam.

Program Outline


Degree Overview:

Saint Louis University's Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is a certificate program offered through the Doisy College of Health Sciences. It is designed for individuals who have already earned an undergraduate degree in a different field and are seeking to become a registered dietitian
utritionist.


Program Objectives:

The DPD program has four main objectives:

  • Goal 1: To prepare a generalist, internship-eligible graduate who has achieved basic competencies as identified by the Core Knowledge Requirements and Expected Learning Outcomes.
  • At least 70% of graduates should apply for admission to a supervised practice program before or within 12 months of graduation.
  • At least 50% of graduates should be admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
  • A minimum of 80% of students completing dietetic internships or post-baccalaureate programs should strongly agree or agree that their undergraduate education adequately prepared them for their post-BS education.
  • At least 80% of students completing dietetic internships or post-baccalaureate programs should strongly agree or agree that their undergraduate education made them competitive with colleagues from other programs.
  • At least 80% of program students should complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
  • Goal 2: To prepare a graduate who is knowledgeable about nutritional care in multiple settings and demonstrates specific personal and professional competencies.
  • A minimum of 80% of dietetic internship directors should indicate that graduates were more than satisfactorily prepared for success in their dietetic internship program.
  • A minimum of 80% of students should strongly agree or agree that they felt adequately prepared for the dietetic internship program.
  • Goal 3: To provide a basis for further development and life-long learning that will assure continued competence.
  • A minimum of 85% of graduates should agree or strongly agree that the DPD program instilled a desire for continued development as a self-learner.
  • Goal 4: To prepare a graduate who will contribute to society based on the development of a sense of community and social/civic responsibility.
  • A minimum of 75% of graduating seniors should have participated in at least 20 hours of service learning by the end of the DPD program.
  • A minimum of 85% of graduates should agree or strongly agree that the DPD program supported the development of judgments respectful of the inherent dignity and worth of individuals.

Careers:

Registered dietitians
utritionists often work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities, as well as in food and nutrition-related businesses and industries. They may also work in schools, commercial kitchens, catering companies, or nutrition and culinary services.


Other:

The DPD program offers two curricular track options: a culinary track and a standard track. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).


Graduates will be able to demonstrate:

  • Effective professional communication in the transmission of food and nutrition information.
  • The ability to develop patient-centered care plans that reflect a value for the inherent worth of others.
  • Nutrition education methods to facilitate diet changes in diverse populations.
  • The value of nutrition and dietetics professionals in an interprofessional care context.
  • The proper use of professional literature to make evidence-based nutrition care decisions.
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Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements:

  • Minimum GPA: A minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.00 scale
  • High School Requirements:
  • Four years of high school English
  • Three years of high school math and science (including one year of chemistry and one year of biology)
  • Self-Evaluation of Transcripts: Applicants must submit a self-evaluation of their transcripts.
  • Application Deadline: For priority enrollment in courses, applications should be complete by June 1 for a fall start date and Dec. 1 for a spring start date.

Language Proficiency Requirements:

  • International Applicants: International applicants must demonstrate English Language proficiency.
  • Academic Records: Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received.
  • WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
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