Tuskegee University

Department of Food & Nutritional Sciences

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) option is a Bachelor of Science degree program.  Students majoring in the DPD are given verification statement(s) signed by the program director when their names appear on the official graduation list. A policy for issuing verification statements has been developed as outlined in the 2017 ACEND Accreditation Standards.  Courses in the curriculum are required so the DPD graduate will have the technical and academic knowledge to successfully compete for placement in a Dietetic Internship program. Students who successfully complete the Dietetic Internship will be eligible to take the national registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). 

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext 5400, Http://www.eatright.org/ACEND, reviewed the program on 4/24/2015.  The Tuskegee University DPD is an accredited program throgh June 30, 2022.  The application for continued accreditation can take place as from March 2021.   

Career opportunity in dietetics includes Registered Dietitian, Clinical Dietitian, Community Dietitian, Food Service Manager, Gerontological Dietitian, Pediatric Dietitian, and Consultant Dietitian.  Program outcomes data are available upon request.

• Curriculum

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal One: To provide a nutrition and dietetics program of study necessary to prepare and graduate competent students for successful entry into the field.

Goal One Objectives:

1. 100% of students admitted into the didactic program in dietetics (DPD) will meet degree requirements (i.e. successful completion of 125 credit hours, within a 6 year timeframe).
2. DPD students will demonstrate mastery of core knowledge by scoring a minimum of 80% on the senior exit examination.
3. 100% of graduating DPD students will demonstrate the application of didactic knowledge by providing documented evidence of 35 hours of field experience (e.g. work, shadowing, internships, etc.) related to nutrition or dietetics.
4. 100% of enrolled DPD students will demonstrate leadership and communication skills through participation in the quarterly publication process of a departmental newsletter containing information related to nutrition and dietetics.

Goal Two: To prepare DPD graduates to successfully apply, gain acceptance into and complete a dietetic internship (DI).

Goal Two Objectives:

1. Within a one-year period, 100% of graduating DPD students will apply to dietetic internships.
2. 80 to 100% of DPD students applying to a dietetic internship will be accepted into a program within one year of graduation.
3. 100% of DPD graduates accepted into a dietetic internship will complete the internship.
4. DPD graduates completing a dietetic internship who sit for the Dietetic Registration Examination will score ≥80% on the first attempt.

Scholarship Availability:

High school students interested in dietetics with a good grade point average (GPA) and Standard Aptitude Test, SAT/ACT, score may qualify for a $2500 tuition scholarship annually.

Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, 204 Campbell Hall, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088
Phone: 334-727-8162, Fax: 334-727-8493, E-mail: gherdp@mytu.tuskegee.edu