Nutrition Major/Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

Program Description

The Cedar Crest College Nutrition major and DPD is an undergraduate program that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  Students may complete all DPD coursework and the bachelor’s degree in nutrition either onsite or via distance/remotely with the exception of two required residential institutes for all students.  Additional information regarding the residential institutes is provided in the updated Nutrition and DPD Student Handbook.  Graduates of the nutrition program will receive a bachelor of science in nutrition, and those meeting the DPD requirements will also earn a verification statement demonstrating that they have attained the knowledge and met the competencies found in the most current ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Programs. Verification statement eligibility requirements are detailed in the Nutrition and DPD Student Handbook.

Students whose state of legal residence is California are ineligible to participate in the distance program due to federal Title IV student assistance program restrictions.  Other important details about the distance program include the following:

• The majority of DPD courses in the distance track include synchronous components (scheduled, live class meetings on specific days and at specific times).  Nutrition is an evening program with all class meetings (onsite or distance) scheduled for 4 p.m. or later Eastern Time (ET).
• Online course availability is based on current course offerings.  Student registration outside of the standard registration period may impact the student’s ability to progress in the curriculum.
• Prospective students interested in the distance track should consult Student Financial Services to determine if distance education will impact their financial aid package.

Process to Become a RDN through Cedar Crest College

Students considering entrance to the profession of dietetics as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) through Cedar Crest College through the Dietetic Internship Pathway must complete these three components:

1. A bachelor’s degree* (it does not have to be in nutrition) and successful completion of academic coursework (DPD) at an ACEND-approved/accredited institution with a minimum cumulative and didactic GPA of 3.0;
2. Admission and successful completion of an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship Program;
3. A passing score on the National Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

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 addition to RDN credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RDN. Information on licensure statutes and information by state cand be found here: https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/licensure/licensure-map

In Pennsylvania, the licensure statute is a Title Protection Act. Licensure is not required in our state to practice and is therefore voluntary. Some employers may require an RDN to apply for licensure, and the requirement for this is the RDN credential. Any student who successfully pursues the RDN credential can apply through the PA State Board of Nursing for the license.

For more information about educational pathways to become an RDN please visit https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/information-for-students

The verification statement issued through the DPD at Cedar Crest College is designed to prepare students for a career in Nutrition and Dietetics and affords students the opportunity to:

1. Apply to the ACEND-accredited DI at Cedar Crest College through the Preselect Process
2. Apply to an ACEND-accredited DI during the National DI Match (biannual)
3. Apply to graduate school
4. Sit for the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Registered (NDTR) exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
5. Work in the field of nutrition in positions not requiring credentialing

Please note that completion of the bachelor’s degree with verification statement through Cedar Crest College’s DPD may lead to, but does not guarantee, admission into a DI.

Accreditation Status

The Cedar Crest College DPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The contact information for ACEND is:

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995

312-899-0040 ext. 5400
1-800-877-1600 ext. 5400
ACEND@eatright.org
https://www.eatright.org/ACEND