Didactic Program in Dietetics

Program Overview

This concentration equips you with the evidence-based nutrition knowledge, culinary expertise, and sustainability‑focused skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving food and health landscape. You’ll be prepared for exciting employment opportunities across healthcare, community wellness, and the food industry, while building a strong foundation in sustainable practices that support both people and the planet. Students who complete the ACEND‑accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are also on the path to becoming Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, ready for supervised practice and future credentialing. With a curriculum designed to support your career goals and prepare you for advanced degree programs, this concentration empowers you to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact. 
 

DPD Educational Philosophy

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) prepares students for entry into supervised practice. Students are encouraged to develop professional habits. Thus, the nutrition program has standard evaluation components for group work and preceptor evaluations of practice in appropriate courses. Student cooking in nutrition class

Students with faculty are to actively participate in the teaching-learning process. As a student progresses through the DPD s/he is increasingly responsible for mastery of course content and thus develops skills for life-long learning.

Program Description

Students must apply and be accepted into the UIW DPD. Undergraduate students complete the didactic requirements while completing the Nutrition and Dietetics track of the B.S. Degree in Nutrition. Post-graduate students may complete DPD requirements as a non-degree seeking student or as a graduate student who completes the DPD requirements while concurrently completing a M.S. Degree in Nutrition.

 

Didactic Program in Dietetics Mission

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) prepares graduates for successful entry into supervised practice and graduate programs leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. 

Program Goals

Program graduates will be well prepared for entry into a supervised practice program and/or graduate program. 

Objectives 

  • Objective 1.1: At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length).  
  • Objective 1.2: At least 50% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation. 
  • Objective 1.3: Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 80% are admitted within 12 months of graduation. 
  • Objective 1.4: Of program graduates who apply to a graduate program, either alone or combined with supervised practice, at least 80% will be admitted. 
  • Objective 1.5: At least 70% of supervised practice program directors will rate program graduates' knowledge 

Program graduates will utilize the knowledge and skills gained in the UIW DPD to succeed in their supervised practice program. 

Objectives 

  • Objective 2.1: The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 
  • Objective 2.2: At least 80% of program graduates will receive a rating of ‘satisfactory’ or ‘more than satisfactory’ from supervised practice program directors on performance within 12 months of graduation. 

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

One pathway to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is by completing an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) followed by supervised practice, a master's degree (if not already earned), and passing a national examination. The UIW DPD provides qualified students with the DPD Verification Statement, confirming their eligibility to apply for supervised practice programs. Learn more about how to become an RDN from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Your Program Completion Checklist

Students can earn the DPD verification statement by meeting the following requirements:
  • Take a minimum of 12 credits of DPD coursework at UIW. 
  • Earn a minimum 3.0 GPA and “C” or higher in DPD courses.
  • Earn a passing score (70% or better) on each KRDN. 
  • Submit an official UIW transcript after program completion.

Understanding Program Costs

Cost of the program will vary, and all fees, charges and costs are subject to change without notice. The total cost of attendance at UIW includes tuition and fees, books and supplies and housing and food for students who choose to live on campus. Textbooks are provided through UIW ACCESS, which is included as part of the University student fee. Students are also required to pay the ServSafe Manager Certification Exam fee. 

Tech Requirements for Program Success

To be successful in your courses, you’ll need a computer that can run Microsoft Office (provided free to all students) with reliable internet access. A laptop is recommended because it’s portable for classes and online work. If you don’t have a laptop, UIW’s Library offers laptops for checkout. UIW also provides WiFi access for students on the main campus. 

Important Dates and Timelines

The UIW Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) follows the UIW Academic Calendar. The Academic Calendar contains academic, registration, and graduation deadlines. 

Funding Your Education

UIW offers many ways to help you pay for your education. The Office of Financial Assistance provides guidance on financial aid options, and there are additional scholarship opportunities available to students. You can also apply for student employment positions on campus. All students, including those on F‑1 or J‑1 visas, may work up to 20 hours per week. 

The UIW Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) prepares students to meet the academic requirements needed to pursue supervised practice on the path to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Students who complete all required DPD coursework and program requirements are issued a DPD Verification Statement, which confirms their eligibility to apply to supervised practice programs. Individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree may also complete the DPD as a post-graduate by finishing all required UIW DPD courses. 

There is no formal application process to enter the UIW Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Students simply progress into the DPD once they have met the prerequisite requirements. To begin the DPD, students must: 

  • Be in good academic standing at UIW 
  • Have a 2.5 GPA or higher in all DPD prerequisite courses 
  • Earn a grade of “C” or higher in each DPD prerequisite course 

 

DPD Pre-Requisite Courses 

Biology Courses 

BIOL 2321 Anatomy & Physiology I 
BIOL 2121 Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 
BIOL 2322 Anatomy & Physiology II 
BIOL 2122 Anatomy & Physiology II Lab 
BIOL 2474 Introduction to Microbiology & Lab  

Chemistry Courses 

CHEM 1310 Introductory Chemistry 
CHEM 1320 Biological Chemistry for Health Professions 

General Nutrition Course 

NUTR 2341 Introduction to Nutrition 

Math Course 

MATH 2303 Introduction to Probability & Statistics 

Transfer and Academic Credit: The DPD will assess prior learning and grant credit for prior learning in accordance with UIW policies. UIW transfer credits policy is available at https://www.uiw.edu/admissions/transfer-admissions/. Evaluation of courses not recognized by UIW as directly transferring for a DPD-required course will be completed by the DPD Director with input from course instructors. Students requesting such course evaluation are responsible for providing appropriate documentation, including official transcripts, course syllabi, course descriptions, or other documents demonstrating attainment of knowledge linked to KRDNs for the course. Evaluation of coursework will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

 

International Students: International students must first refer to the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) for information about eligibility to become a Registered Dietitian in the United States (https://www.cdrnet.org/RDNeligibility). International students with a degree from another country should use one of the identified independent nonprofit agencies that can validate the student’s academic degree as equivalent to the bachelor’s or master’s degree granted by a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. The list of agencies can be found on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foreign Degree Evaluation Agencies webpage. The DPD Director will evaluate the student’s previous academic preparation and identify the courses needed to meet the didactic program requirements. 

To complete the DPD and earn a verification statement, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be a current student at UIW the semester of DPD completion
  • Must complete a minimum of 12 credits of DPD coursework at UIW
  • Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in DPD courses
  • Earn a “C” or higher in each DPD course
  • Earn a passing score (70% or better) for each KRDN
  • Must complete the DPD exit survey
  • Must complete the mock RDN exam · undergraduate DPD students meet the degree requirements for a baccalaureate degree in Nutrition
  • Must submit an official UIW transcript after program completion; undergraduates submit official UIW transcript with degree conferral

 

PLEASE NOTE: The maximum amount of time allowed for completing DPD program requirements is currently three years or 36 months.

The University of the Incarnate Word provides financial assistance information through the Office of Financial Assistance. There are also scholarship resources.

UIW students can apply for available positions. Working as a student employee is an excellent way to make money while attending classes, as well as, gaining valuable work experience. All students, including international students on F-1 or J-1 Visas, may only work up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session and during breaks.

DPD Student Handbook

Accreditation

The University of the Incarnate Word’s Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics 
120 South Riverside Plaza 
Suite 2190 
Chicago, IL 60606-6995 
Telephone: (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400