Concentration in Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
The ND concentration is designed for students who wish to enter the profession of dietetics
with the goal of becoming an RDN. Students who successfully meet degree and ND
concentration requirements receive a DPD Verification Statement. Qualified students in
the ND concentration are eligible to apply to either the SEU Combined Degree Program,
apply pre-select to the SEU combined MS/DI program, or apply to other ACEND supervised
practice programs or to a Future Education Model Graduate Degree program.
The ND concentration provides the core educational knowledge for RDNs. The curriculum
design follows the standards established by the ACEND. Application to the Foods and
Nutrition Program takes place between the second and third year. Students must apply
directly to the program and complete a required acceptance form in addition to completing
SEU’s major application process. Students must have a minimum 2.8 grade point average
to be accepted into the ND concentration. Students must have completed a minimum of 50
hours in dietetics-related work or volunteer experience as part of the acceptance criteria.
Students wishing to transfer to the ND concentration from another institution may need
six semesters to complete all program requirements based on course offerings and
individualized transfer needs.
RDN Professional Requirements: The issuing of a DPD Verification Statement establishes
student eligibility to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice or dietetic
internship program. Upon successful completion of the supervised practice, students are
eligible to sit for the national credentialing examination to become an RDN. Acceptance
to supervised practice programs is highly competitive, with the approximate national
placement being about 50% yearly.
Please note that beginning 2024, the professional educational standard will require that new
RDNs hold a master’s degree. Therefore, students entering nutrition and dietetics programs
need to plan accordingly. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ website to learn
about the professional practice of nutrition and dietetics at www.eatrightpro.org.
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) is to educate students through a holistic student-focused approach rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition. We aim to prepare students for supervised practice and post-graduate experiences, advanced degree programs, and entry-level nutrition and dietetics employment.
- Program graduates will develop the breadth and depth of skills, knowledge, and professional values through a program curriculum that meets the ACEND Core Knowledge Requirements for the RDN.
- Program graduates will develop the values in personal and professional ethics, social responsibility, cultural humility, and leadership essential for nutrition and dietetics practice.
Program objectives and outcomes are available upon request from the DPD Director.
Required Courses (89 credits)
Core Requirements (53 credits)
| FN100 | Professional Preparation | 1 |
| FN200 | Introduction to Food Science with Lab | 4 |
| FN210 | Basic Human Nutrition | 3 |
| FN213 | Principles of Nutritional Assessment | 1 |
| FN235 | Methods of Nutrition Education | 4 |
| FN300 | Food Production Systems with Lab | 4 |
| FN320 | Nutritional Biochemistry I | 4 |
| FN323 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 4 |
| FN325 | Nutritional Biochemistry II | 4 |
| FN400 | Professional Practice in Dietetics, Foods & Nutrition | 1 |
| FN405 | Food Science & Experimental Foods with Lab | 4 |
| FN435 | Management in Dietetics Practice | 4 |
| FN463 | Nutrition Research Communication Seminar | 2 |
| FN490 | Capstone in Food and Nutrition | 1 |
| FN500 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| FN501 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| FN502 | Medical Nutrition Practice I | 1 |
| FN503 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| FN504 | Medical Nutrition Practice II | 1 |
| FN507 | Service Learning/Field Experience in Community Nutrition | 1 |
Related Requirements (36 credits)
| BIO121 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO123 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO209 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM121 | Introduction to Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM121L | Lab:Intro General Chemistry | 0 |
| CHEM123 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM123L | Lab: Introduction to Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| BUS245 | Accounting for Health Care Professionals | 4 |
| MATH119 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
SOC
| Sociology Elective | 4 |
PSY
| Psychology Elective | 4 |
A grade of "C" or better is required in all major core courses and in the sciences and related requirements.
BUS245: or substitute course.
BIO111 is prerequisite for BIO209.
FN320 may be taught through the Chemistry program.
Students may complete the higher level chemistries: CHEM151, CHEM153 and CHEM211, CHEM213 as substitutes for CHEM121 and CHEM123. Students planning to make modifications to either the chemistry or biology requirements must meet with the DPD Director to carefully plan their course sequencing.