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Nutrition Major with a Dietetics Concentration

Students in the Nutrition Major with a Dietetic Concentration will complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This dietetic concentration is for students who want to become registered dietitians.

An individual must complete a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health degree from Miami University's accredited didactic program, be accepted into and complete a graduate program with an accredited dietetic internship, and pass the registration examination for dietitians. The ACEND-accredited education programs and supervised practice that lead to the registered dietitian examination have requirements set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Students will need to have a master's degree in order to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist after January 1, 2024. For more information see your academic advisor.

Course Requirements

IMPORTANT ADVISING INFORMATION: The Nutrition/Dietetic program is a competitive program. A minimum grade expectation of a “C” or better is strongly encouraged, especially in the sciences: BIO 161, CHM 141, 144, 142, 145, 231, and MBI 111. Competitive dietetic internship applicants will have an overall 3.0 GPA or higher.

Read the Didactic Program in the Dietetics Student Handbook

 

Outstanding Outcomes

  • 100% of Miami University dietetic students who applied for post-baccalaureate dietetic internships were accepted into programs in 2022.
  • Miami University Nutrition Alumni surveyed responded that 100% felt they had received an excellent education.
  • Miami University dietetic students' average three-year pass-rate on the registration examination within one year of first attempt taking the exam is 97%, which meets the ACEND requirements with commendation (Source: CDR data 2020-2022).
  • Miami University dietetic student placement in internships is 100% versus a national placement average of 70% (Source: ACEND Data).

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Miami University Dietetics Program is to prepare competent Dietetic practitioners and to contribute to the teaching, research, and service mission of the university, division, and department.

The program seeks to align with the mission of the College of Education, Health, and Society by aligning with its six core values:

  1. Embracing diversity
  2. Building community
  3. Cultivating collaboration
  4. Thinking critically
  5. Creating knowledge and
  6. Promoting well-being

Program Goal 1

Prepare qualified entry-level dietitians for careers in dietetics.

  • Objective 1.1  Within one year of completing the program, 85% of the graduates will be placed in a graduate program with supervised practice, graduate school, or employed.
  • Objective 1.2  Graduate programs with supervised practice directors (over a three-year period) will rate 80% of   Miami University graduates in their program as satisfactory or higher in all survey categories.
  • Objective 1.3  85% of dietetic graduates rating of the program (over a three-year period) will be satisfactory or higher.
  • Objective 1.4  85% of current dietetic students will rate the dietetic program (over a three-year period) satisfactory or higher.
  • Objective 1.5 85% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

Program Goal 2

Students will demonstrate a commitment to professional leadership and
community service.

  • Objective 2.1  85% of dietetic students will participate in a professional organization.
  • Objective 2.2  85% of current dietetic students will participate in at least one nutrition community service project before graduation.
  • Objective 2.3  80% of test takers on the Commission on Dietetic Registration Examination will pass within one year of first attempt taking the exam.
  • Objective 2.4  85% of students enrolled in the Dietetic Program complete the program requirements within 150% of the time planned for completion.
  • Objective 2.5 85% of graduates who apply to a graduate program with a supervised practice are admitted within 12 months of graduation.

Program outcome data is available upon request.

Accreditation

The Miami University Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Accreditation by ACEND ensures that graduates are eligible to apply to and, upon acceptance enter into a supervised practice program in Dietetic. Completing a supervised practice leads to eligibility to take the exam to earn Registered Dietitian Nutritionist status.

ACEND® can be contacted by:

Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Phone: 800/877-1600 ext. 5400
Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite #2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
eatrightpro.org/acend 

Licensure Information

Graduates of the DPD program who earn their NDTR credential or go on to earn their RDN credential and want to practice as Dietitians/Nutritionists may need to apply for licensure before they are eligible to practice dietetics/nutrition. Licensing statutes include an explicitly defined scope of practice, and the performance of the profession is illegal without first obtaining a license. A list of the states that require licensure is available on the Commission on Dietetic Registration website at https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure.

Student Grievances

Student grievances about academic concerns should first be addressed with a faculty member or instructor. If the problem is not resolved, the student should then discuss their concern with the Department Chair. If the problem is still not resolved, the student may discuss their concern with the Dean of Education, Health & Society. The grievance procedure is outlined in the Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health Governance.

NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THE
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation/approval standards. ACEND is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dietetics education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion, or dismissal of faculty, staff, or students.

Nutrition Program Path

Admissions and Academic Calendar

Please refer to the Miami University Admission Requirements and Miami University Academic Calendar for current information.

Requirements to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

The five steps required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) are as follows:

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and earn a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program like the Miami University Didactic Program in Dietetics.
  2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (like the Miami University Combined Master’s and Dietetic Internship Program).
  3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR’s) dietetic*.
  4. Obtain certification/licensure in your state of practice, if applicable. Review state licensure requirements.
    • **While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. Visit the CDR website for more information on State Licensure.
  5. Maintain continuing education as outlined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

*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). Read information about educational pathways to become an RDN.

Miami Combined Masters Degree and Dietetics Internship

Specifics from Dietetic Internship Computerized Application System (DICAS) will be utilized to determine suitable candidates for acceptance into a Masters Combined with a Dietetic Internship Program as follows:

  1. A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a Verification Statement from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics
  2. A minimum overall GPA score of 3.0 and a minimum GPA score of 3.0 in Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) nutrition-related courses is preferred.
  3. Three letters of recommendation DPD instructors, employers, advisors, or other supervisors of studies or work
  4. A personal statement (in 1000 words or less) which outlines:
    • Reason for entering the dietetic profession and seeking admission to this program
    • Experiences that have assisted in preparation for the dietetics profession
    • Short-term and long-term goals
    • Strengths and areas of improvement
  5. Resume documenting volunteer, work and life experiences, awards, achievements, and any other information that would contribute to the uniqueness of the candidate.

Requirements to Become a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR)

The three steps required to become a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR) are as follows:

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and earn a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program like the Miami University Didactic Program in Dietetics.
  2. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) DTR EXAM
  3. Maintain continuing education as outlined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Didactic Program In Dietetics Courses

 

DPD Courses
DPD Professional Courses DPD Science Courses
KNH 102 Food, Nutrition, and Health (3) BIO 161 Principles of Human Physiology (4)
KNH 103 Intro to Dietetics (2) CHM 141 College Chemistry (3)
KNH 104 Intro Food Science (3) CHM 144 College Chemistry Laboratory (2)
KNH 203 Nutr in Disease Prevention Mgt (3) CHM 142 College Chemistry (3)
KNH 302 Global and Community Nutrition (3) CHM 145 College Chemistry Laboratory (2)
KNH 303 Food Systems Mgt. (3) CHM 231 Fundamentals of Organic Chem (3)
KNH 403 Nutrition Counseling and Communication Skills (3) CHM 231 Fundamentals of Organic Chem Lab (1)
KNH 404 Advanced Food Science (4) KNH 244 and 244L Functional Anatomy and Functional Anatomy Laboratory (4) OR BIO 201 Human Anatomy (4)
KNH 405 Advanced Nutrition I: Macronutrient Metabolism (3) MBI 111 Microorganisms and Human Disease (3)
KNH 406 Advanced Nutrition II: Micronutrient and Phytochemical Metabolism (3)
KNH 411 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)
KNH 202 Nutrition Across The Life Span (3)
KNH 413 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3)
KNH 420G Field Experience in Dietetics (2)
STA 261 Statistics (4)
PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology (3)
MGT 111 Introduction to Business (3) OR MGT 291 Introduction to Management and Leadership (3) OR MGT 303 Human Resource Management (3)

Program Costs and Expenses

Please refer to the Miami University Tuition and Fees and Miami's Scholarships and Financial Aid for current information on university costs and expenses as well as financial awards and assistantships.

 

Estimated Dietetic Program Expenses:
Fees are subject to change.
Expense Cost
KNH 104, KNH 203, KNH 404 Lab Fee $150 for each lab
Background check for KNH 420 $100.00
Individual course materials, i.e. presentation posters $75.00 per semester
Textbooks $300.00 – $500.00 per semester
Copying costs $50.00 per semester
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics membership $58.00 per year (student rate)
Miami University Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics membership $20.00 per year