B.S. Degree in Health and Nutrition Sciences—Foods and Nutrition Concentration
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
For complete program information, including course listing and program policies, refer to the Brooklyn College Undergraduate Nutrition handbook (pdf).
The Brooklyn College Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the "Academy"), 120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, P: 312.899.4874.
The DPD is designed for those who wish to enter the nutrition and dietetics profession and want to continue on the path to the RDN. ALL DPDs must meet quality standards set by ACEND, including providing the knowledge requirements and skills necessary for pre-professional practice. The program provides a foundation in the physical, biological, and social sciences, plus principles of education and management that will serve as a basis for knowledge of nutrition science; and provides a strong curriculum in metabolism, normal, clinical and community nutrition, nutrition education, healthcare policy and management. The DPD at Brooklyn College consists of 24 required courses for a total of 77 credits.
The Brooklyn College DPD follows the Brooklyn College academic calendar.
Application and Admission Requirements
Students can apply to the Brooklyn College DPD via the general online application. The major is listed as Health and Nutrition Sciences. Once you are a Brooklyn College student, you will declare the Foods and Nutrition concentration.
The Five Steps to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)*
- Complete a bachelor's degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program). Effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration. (Dietetic registration exam).
- Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program; the Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option. Supervised practice/experiential learning is combined with the Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program.
- Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's dietetic registration exam.
- Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
- Maintain continuing education.
* 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). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor's degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit the CDR website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete course work and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program at Brooklyn College are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
Nutrition and Dietetic Internship (DI)
An ACEND-accredited program consisting of a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised work experience. Entering a graduate program/DI or a graduate program with an optional DI is the next step in becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) after completion of the DPD. Entry into DI is competitive, which means that you must maintain a competitive GPA (according to the Academy, a competitive GPA is 3.00). However, you should strive to achieve a GPA higher than that. Guidelines for applying to DIs are reviewed via information sessions held by the Brooklyn College DI director and DPD director in the fall semester of each academic year.
Brooklyn College offers an ACEND-accredited DI, which can provide six elective credits toward completion of either the M.S. Nutrition or the M.A. Food and Health Equity Program. Students who have completed a DPD and received a verification statement can apply to either program. Non-Brooklyn College students who have completed a graduate degree and a DPD program can also apply to the Brooklyn College DI. See the Brooklyn College Dietetic Internship program for more information.
Detailed information is available for all Dietetic Internships offered in the United States on the website of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
