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Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

For information contact DPD program director, Shelley DePinto, DHSc, MS, RDN, LDN, , 610-606-4666, ext. 4487

Mission of the Nutrition Program

In concert with the philosophy of Cedar Crest College and the Standards of Practice of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the nutrition program is committed to developing competent dietetic professionals who serve the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition and act with integrity and respect for differences.

Mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

In accordance with the Mission and Values of Cedar Crest College, the mission of the Cedar Crest DPD is to prepare students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam and to develop competent entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).  With a foundation in the liberal arts, our Program is committed to provide high-quality education in accordance with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Knowledge Requirements for Dietitians with emphasis on scholarship, leadership, civic engagement, health and wellness, and global connectivity.

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 here.  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.

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

  • 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;

*In 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)’s requirements mandate a master’s degree.  Please see: https://www.cdrnet.org/new-graduate-degree-eligibility-requirement-effective-january-1-2024

  • Admission and successful completion of an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship Program;
  • A passing score on the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.

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:

  • Apply to the ACEND-accredited DI at Cedar Crest College through the Preselect Process
  • Apply to an ACEND-accredited DI during the National DI Match (biannual)
  • Apply to graduate school
  • Sit for the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Registered (NDTR) exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
  • 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

http://www.eatright.org/ACEND

Preselect to the Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship (DI)

Ten positions in the competitive Cedar Crest College DI are reserved for eligible Cedar Crest College seniors through the preselect process.

Students, who achieve a DPD GPA of 3.3 or above at the midterm of their senior Fall Semester and have accumulated the recommended body of experiences, are eligible to apply for one of the 10 positions available in November of their senior year pending approval by the preselect review committee.

A meeting with the DPD Director before May 30 of the Junior Year is required to begin the process.  Detailed instructions on the preselect review process can be found in the Nutrition and DPD Student Handbook.

A student who is offered and chooses to accept a position in the Cedar Crest College DI through the preselect process is not eligible to apply to other programs during the national spring DI match. 

Students who choose not to apply or are not eligible to participate in the preselect process may apply to the Cedar Crest College DI (or any other Accredited DI program) during the national DI match in the spring. Cedar Crest College students who participate in the national Spring DI match enter into the regular pool of applicants at that time; positions in the Cedar Crest College DI will not be reserved for Cedar Crest College seniors or alumnae during the national Spring DI match.

Program Requirements

Total number of credits required by program: The verification statement track for Nutrition Majors with DPD requirements includes 79 credits (25 of which count towards the LAC requirements for Math & Logic, Social Science, Natural Science, Ethics, Writing, and Global Studies).  The non-verification statement track for Nutrition majors includes 76 credits.

Students are admitted to the College as intended nutrition majors (INRs) and begin the DPD curriculum upon completion of College-wide course requirements and DPD prerequisite courses (see College-wide course requirements below for nutrition prerequisite courses).

To Declare Nutrition as the Major

Courses that must be completed with a grade of B or better:

NTR 121
NTR 210 (at mid-term)

Courses that must be completed with a grade of C- or better:

CHE 110
CHE 203
BIO 117
BIO 118
BIO 127
CHE 217 (students must be taking CHE 217 at the time of declaration)

The following courses must be completed with a C or better:

MAT 110
SOC 100 (may be taken after declaration of major)
PSY 100 (may be taken after declaration of major)

*Students who earn only the minimum grades for multiple courses are unlikely to attain the standards required for dietetic internship acceptance.

All Nutrition Majors must declare the major prior to registering for all 300 level courses.

Once the declaration of major form has been approved, students will be assigned an advisor from the DPD. Students will meet with the advisor to plan the remaining coursework needed according to the approved curriculum in place at that time. Upon declaration of the major, students will receive the Nutrition and DPD Student Handbook which provides the student with all of the requirements, policies and procedures of the program. Students are required to thoroughly read and sign a statement of acknowledgment and agreement of all policies for continuation in the program.

The non-verification statement track major in Nutrition requires:

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and
  • A grade of C- or better in all Biology and Chemistry courses, and
  • A grade of C or better in all other program required courses.

The verification statement track major in Nutrition requires:

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0,
  • A minimum cumulative DPD GPA of 3.0,
  • A grade of B or better in all Nutrition (NTR) coursework,
  • A grade of C- or better in all Biology and Chemistry courses,
  • A grade of C or better in all other required DPD courses, and
  • Completion of field experiences for NTR 327, NTR 328, and NTR 330

Students must maintain the cumulative and DPD GPA of 3.0 and minimum grade requirement in all courses to remain in the verification statement track.  If a student’s GPA should fall below 3.0, they have until the next grading period (final grade or midterm grade) to return to the 3.0 requirement.  If the student’s GPA remains below 3.0 at the next grading period, the student will be transitioned to the non-verification statement track.

Students can repeat one DPD (NTR) course and one science (BIO or CHE) course only.  The DPD program director’s permission is required for the second repeat and/or to continue on the Verification Statement Track.  A withdrawal equivalency of a course attempt is subject to evaluation by the DPD program director.  Student progress is monitored from a holistic perspective as they progress through the program.

Nutrition Requirements

CHE 110 Introduction to Chemistry (lecture only) (3 cr)
CHE 203 Survey of Organic Chemistry (lecture only) (3 cr)
CHE 217 Principles of Biochemistry (3 cr)
BIO 117 Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture only) (3 cr)
BIO 118 Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture only) (3 cr)
BIO 127 Clinical Microbiology (lecture only) (3 cr)
SOC 100 Intro to Culture and Society (3 cr)
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3 cr)
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics (3 cr)
NTR 121 Foundations of Dietetics I (1 cr)
NTR 122 Foundations of Dietetics II (1 cr)
NTR 130 Food and Culture (3 cr)
NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition (3 cr)
NTR 213 Introduction to Evidence Analysis (1 cr)
NTR 215 Nutrition Assessment (1 cr)
NTR 217 Nutrition Education in the Community (3 cr)
NTR 220 Principles of Foods Lecture & Lab (4 cr)
NTR 300 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism I (3 cr)
NTR 301 Management in Dietetics (3 cr)
NTR 305 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism II (3 cr)
NTR 320/321 Experimental Foods Lab & Lecture (4 cr)
NTR 326 Medical Terminology for Nutrition (1 cr)
NTR 327 Medical Nutrition Therapy I, Lecture and Clinical* (4 cr)
NTR 328 Medical Nutrition Therapy II, Lecture and Clinical* (4 cr)
NTR 330 Food Systems Operations and Field Experience* (4 cr)
NTR 341 Nutrition Counseling (3 cr)
MHS 602 or NTR 350 Evidence Analysis, Capstone (3 cr)
MHS 614 or NTR 212 Lifecycle Nutrition (3 cr)

Please refer to MyCedarCrest for information on when courses are offered along with any prerequisite information.

*Clinical and Field experiences are for verification-statement track students only.

Technology Requirements

Declared nutrition majors and intended nutrition majors must have access to the following technology in order to ensure remote access to classes when necessary.

The DPD received approval from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to offer a distance option beginning in fall 2021.

Residential Institutes

The residential institutes occur during the spring semester when the student is enrolled in Experimental Foods and fall semester when the student is enrolled in Medical Nutrition Therapy I.  The first residential institute will be held in the spring of the 2023-2024 academic year (when students entering the program via the distance track in 2021 will be taking Experimental Foods during the spring semester 2023-2024).  Any distance students who must complete the program experiential components prior to the first residential institute will be permitted to complete the experiential components in their geographic area with at least one full semester’s advance notice and planning.  The residential institutes will be held during the following times:

  • Spring Residential Institute – Four days (Friday through Monday) beginning the Friday following the end of Spring Break per the Academic Calendar
  • Fall Residential Institute – Four days (Friday through Monday) beginning the Friday after  Fall Break per the Academic Calendar
  • Schedule for both institutes:  Friday 12-6, Saturday 8-6, Sunday 8-6, and Monday 8-2
  • The schedule is designed to permit some travel on Friday and Monday.

All students are expected to attend both residential institutes in their entirety.  The following list provides guidance for what are acceptable reasons and required documentation for a missed residential institute. 

  • A death in the immediate family (i.e. parent, sibling, grandparent, spouse, or partner)
  • An act of God
  • Severe illness that renders the student unable to participate or would present a risk of infecting others
  • Any other reason deemed appropriate by the department chair and program director

Students must submit documentation verifying the circumstances (i.e. obituary, physician note) in order to be eligible for proficiency make-up.  Some of the work may be made up remotely prior to the end of the semester.  The experiential practice activities that would meet the criteria for remote completion must align with the activities performed at the institute.  Assessment of proficiency will be identical to the proficiency assessment given to all students who attended the residential institute.  Students will be issued an incomplete for any competencies that must be assessed on site and given the opportunity to complete the work during a designated make-up day.  There will be one designated make-up day for each residential institute (the third Tuesday in May for the spring residential institute and the second Tuesday in January for the fall residential institute).  If a student cannot attend the make-up day for the spring institute, they may repeat the institute experience that was missed the following spring.  If a student cannot attend the make-up day for the fall institute, they will not be able to graduate and will not receive a verification statement, and the work will need to be completed the following fall.

Course Fees & Other Fees

Starting the 2023-2024 Year (includes Residential Institutes)

 NTR 220: $100 laboratory fee (for resident students who need access to the foods lab; not required for distance students)

  • NTR 327 (Fall 2023 only): $210 DPD field experience fee

*Transportation to and from field experiences is the responsibility of the student

  • NTR 341: $190 practicum fee 
  • Residential Institute I (Spring 2024):  $250 institute fee (includes NTR 320 lab fee for residential institute project)
  • Residential Institute II (starting Fall 2024):  $250 institute fee (includes NTR 327 DPD field experience fee for residential institute activities)
  • See DPD Clinical and Field Experience Placement Requirements

Fees are subject to change – See the fee section of the catalog

Includes medical and criminal background checks and additional clearances as mandated by the field experience facility.  Clearances are subject to site availability. Liability insurance, health insurance, transportation to and from the Allentown area, to and from the airport, lodging, and some meals are the student’s responsibility during the residential institutes.  Lunches and snacks will be provided.  Local hotels with discounted rates can be found here:

Cedar Crest College

Note: The College reserves the right to change the fees and charges when necessary.

DPD Clinical and Field Experience Placement Requirements

When available to students, the program field placements require medical and background clearance. All clearances must be completed by August 15 prior to the start of the Senior Fall Semester (NTR 327 & NTR 330).  Any student not meeting all requirements before the deadline will be dropped from the courses with field experiences associated with them and the student will transition to the non-verification statement track. The following medical and background clearances are mandatory in order to participate in the following courses: NTR 327 MNT I Clinical, NTR 328 MNT II Clinical, and NTR 330 Food Systems Operations Field Experience.  Additional fees may apply.  Clearances are subject to site availability and may include:

  • Report of Health Evaluation and Medical History
  • Immunizations and Titers (including the COVID-19 vaccine)
  • Drug and Alcohol Screen (10 Panel Urinalysis)
  • Proof of Health Insurance
  • Proof of Liability Insurance
  • FBI Criminal History Clearance
  • Child Abuse History Clearance
  • PA Criminal History Clearance
  • Annual Flu Shot
  • And all other clearances required by placement sites at the time of field experience.
  • Students entering or participating in the DPD affirm the following regarding COVID-19 vaccination: I have been made aware and understand that site placements are requiring vaccination in order to complete the required clinical experiences. I 22 acknowledge and agree that healthcare institutions that are covered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) mandate must require healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The CMS mandate further requires certain third parties who provide services to covered entities to be vaccinated. I further understand and agree that even if an entity is not covered by the CMS mandate, it may have additional requirements pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccination and placement in the clinical or field setting. I understand that my progress in the Program is dependent on my placement in clinical settings or alternate simulation/other activities. I understand I may be denied placement at a health care or other facility as a result of my decision to not be vaccinated. I understand that if I decline the vaccine, the alternate learning activities may not provide the same level and breadth of experiences as those at a clinical/field site. I am aware that clinical/field experiences are considered highly desirable by dietetic internship programs. In addition, I understand that if I plan to apply to/enter the Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship (Pre-Select for Cedar Crest College Didactic Program students), I will need to meet the current COVID-19 vaccination requirements of the dietetic internship clinical sites due to mandatory supervised practice during the internship. I understand that I am fully responsible for any and all costs, including tuition and fees required of this Program regardless of whether I am unable to receive a clinical placement as a result of my voluntary decision to decline the COVID-19 vaccination. I acknowledge and agree that Cedar Crest College bears no responsibility, financial or otherwise, for my failure to complete or graduate from the College or the Program.  
  • Students declining the COVID-19 vaccine must sign the COVID-19 Vaccine Declination Agreement with the DPD Student Handbook Acknowledgement. 

Departmental Review for Field Placement

Students majoring in Education, Nuclear Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition or Social Work are required to complete a field practicum or clinical experience. Because this requirement necessitates working with the public in a professional setting, it is important that the student has advanced interpersonal skills, mature judgment, and appropriate professional demeanor. Thus, faculty in these programs will review students prior to the practicum and make appropriate recommendations up to and including removal from placement.

Fulfillment of LAC Requirements

Students majoring in Nutrition will fulfill the Technology, Information Literacy and Oral Performance requirements with: NTR 130, NTR 217, NTR 305, NTR 320, NTR 327, NTR 328, NTR 330, NTR 340 and NTR 350.  NTR 130 also meets the Global Studies requirement.  NTR 320/321 meets the WRI-2 requirement and the Natural Science w/ lab requirement.  NTR 341 meets the Ethics requirement.

Transfer Students and Adult Students

Transfer students are encouraged to apply. Students with prior degrees seeking a Verification Statement through the DPD coursework are also encouraged to apply. A meeting with the DPD Director is required to determine if prior coursework can be accepted for the Nutrition major and/or DPD requirements.

  • Prior science coursework cannot be more than 10 years old; social science coursework no more than 20 years old
  • Prior nutrition coursework cannot be more than 5 years old and a course syllabus must be reviewed by the program director 

To receive a verification statement, at least 20 credits of Nutrition DPD courses must be completed at Cedar Crest College which includes: NTR 327, NTR 328, NTR 341, and MHS 602 with relevant field experiences, and/or any additional course work advised by the Program Director.

Accelerated Program Completion

An accelerated pathway is available for completion of the nutrition major and DPD.  Students must consult their academic advisor and Student Financial Services to see if the accelerated pathway is appropriate to their circumstances.

Nutrition Minor

Nutrition Minor Mission

The Cedar Crest College Nutrition minor is committed to integrating basic nutrition concepts and interventions that promote personal, community and global health and wellness into a student’s chosen major field of study

Program Requirements for the Nutrition Minor

The Nutrition minor requires 18 credits of nutrition coursework.  There are nine credits (3 courses) from required courses and students will choose an additional nine credits from the additional course list.  A meeting with the program director is required prior to declaring the major.  All Nutrition minors must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and earn a grade of C or better in all NTR courses.

Required Courses (9 credits)

All students in the nutrition minor must complete the following core of 9 credits and all associated prerequisites:

NTR 130 Food and Culture (3 cr)
NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition (3 cr)
NTR 201 Vegetarian Diets: Principles and Applications (3 cr)

Additional Courses (9 credits)

Students will choose 9 credits in nutrition from the following course list*:

NTR 113 Nutrition and Fitness (1 cr)
NTR 114 Nutrition and the Elderly (1 cr)
NTR 115 Eating Disorders and Weight Management (1 cr)
NTR 202 Food Policy (3 cr)
NTR 211 Nutrition Informatics (1 cr)
NTR 220 Principles of Foods Lecture & Lab (4 cr)
NTR 300 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism I (3 cr)
NTR 301 Management in Dietetics (3 cr)
NTR 305 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism II (3 cr)
NTR 326 Medical Terminology for Nutrition (1 cr)

Additional Courses from Other Majors

The following courses may be used as additional courses to fulfill the nutrition minor (up to 9 credits).  They may not be used in replacement of the required courses.

BIO 115 Biotechnology and Society: From DNA to Cloning (3 cr)
BIO 207 Botany (4 cr)
EDU 240 Nutrition, Health, and Safety (3 cr)
PSY 201 Mind-Body Medicine (3 cr)
PSY 251 Health Psychology (3 cr)
ENG 235 Food Writing (3 cr)
SPA 205 Spanish for Health Professionals (3 cr)
SPA 203 Spanish in the Workplace (3 cr)
BUA 211 Introduction to Health Care Systems (3 cr)
BUA 258 Health Care Management (3 cr)
BUA 340 Health Care Finance (3 cr)
BUA 341 Health Care Practice Management (3 cr)

*With the Chair of the Nutrition Department’s permission, students may also apply applicable course work from other disciplines to complete the nine additional credits.  

Please refer to MyCedarCrest for the Schedule of Courses regarding information on when courses are offered along with any prerequisite information.