Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Dietetics

Overview

image of Professor Sarah Larson (she/her/hers)

Welcome from the Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics!

Welcome to URI’s DPD Program! I look forward to working with you to help you achieve your goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian. After exploring our website, email me if you have further questions or want to talk more about our program and your future.

Learn More About Professor Larson

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Dietetics prepares you for a career as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists help people meet their nutritional needs through diet counseling and nutrition support, with the overall goals of improving health and preventing disease throughout the lifespan. Dietetics integrates knowledge of food, nutrition, management, sciences, and social sciences to improve the dietary intake and health of individuals and communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), you will need to:

  1. Earn a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program.
    Classes vary according to program, but in general, coursework covers subjects that may range from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, sociology and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry. A master’s degree is required to be eligible for the RDN exam. The B.S. in Dietetics will fulfill your undergraduate degree requirements and you will need to complete a separate master’s degree in any field. 
  2. Complete a supervised practice requirement.
    In addition, individuals must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice to gain real-world experience and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the context of a variety of work settings. This requirement is met by completing an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship, individualized supervised practice program (ISPP), future graduate program (GP), or coordinated Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website contains the most current listing of dietetic internship programs and information on how to apply.
  3. Pass a national exam for RDNs.
    Once you complete your degrees and supervised practice, you may schedule to take CDR’s Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become a credentialed as registered dietitian nutritionist. This is called “RDN eligibility,” meaning you have completed the requirements to become eligible to take the national exam.
  4. Meet requirements to practice in your state. 
    Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes. Students who become RDNs are eligible for licensing in the state of Rhode Island as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. The Rhode Island Department of Health provides complete information on licensing requirements. The Academy website contains information on licensing in all states.
  5. Stay up-to-date in dietetics through continuing education. 
    After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices.

Accreditation

The B.S. Dietetics program provides the academic coursework (Didactic Program in Dietetics, or DPD) outlined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. The DPD at the University of Rhode Island is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312.899.5400, https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend. After completing the degree program, students will receive a Verification Statement showing they have completed ACEND academic requirements.            

Program outcome data is available upon request.

 

Professional Licensure Disclosure

In accordance with the 2019 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, URI hereby discloses that the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Registered Dietitian in all U.S. States and Territories. The applicable licensing board in these states may impose additional requirements* on candidates prior to granting a license (e.g., passing of an exam; completing a post-baccalaureate internship; etc.), and we encourage you to investigate those requirements with your licensing board.

*Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) requires the completion of a minimum of a master’s degree and a 1,000-hour, post-baccalaureate internship to meet eligibility to sit for the Registered Dietitian credentialing exam.