Dietetics

  What is Dietetics?

Dietitians are involved in planning and implementing nutrition education programs, managing food service, teaching and sales. In addition to health care settings, registered dieticians are employed in business and industry, research, food service management, education, wellness and community settings.

  Career Possibilities

Registered dietitians (RDs) have many career opportunities. RDs often work in health care but are not limited to that career environment.  Individuals wishing to become an RD must complete a one-year post-baccalaureate internship (after graduation) before sitting for licensure. Without this credential, opportunities are limited.  

  Majoring in Dietetics

During their first two years, students take prerequisite courses. In spring quarter of the second year (or when only three quarters of required courses remain), students apply for admission to the coordinated program in dietetics (CP). If accepted, they complete their final year of course work and then complete a supervised practice experience over the next four quarters (fall, winter, spring, summer). Students not accepted into the program may complete the didactic program in dietetics in one of the food and nutrition majors or in the four-year dietetics major. They will then be eligible to complete a dietetic internship upon earning their BS degree.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use u.select to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See course descriptions by college.

Click here for a downloadable curriculum sheet for the didactic program in dietetics.

Click here for a downloadable curriculum sheet for the coordinated program in dietetics.

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

To become registered dietitians, students traditionally complete all course work requirements (didactic program in dietetics) as part of a baccalaureate degree, then complete a supervised practice requirement after graduation through a dietetic internship, and then take a national registration exam. 

The BS in dietetics/coordinated program combines both the course work and the supervised practice requirements as part of the undergraduate degree. Upon graduation, students are immediately eligible to take the exam.

  Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics

Students entering from high school must have a high school GPA of at least 2.0 and must be ranked in the top 50 percent of their graduating class. They must have taken either the ACT or SAT exam. Students must have the following units completed through their high school curriculum.

• 4 units of English
• 2 units of Math
• 3 units of Science
• 2 units of Social Studies
• 2 units of Foreign Language
• 2 additional units

Students transferring from another college or university must meet the above requirements as well as have at least a GPA of 2.5 in all previous college work.

Admission to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Admission requires a second application process. Detailed information can be obtained from the director of the coordinated program. Admission criteria include a passing grade in all prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Department of Nutritional Science courses (a minimum overall GPA of 2.8) and:

• Only three quarters (or less) of remaining didactic courses (no more than 54 hours)
• Completion of didactic requirements during fall, winter and /or spring quarters while enrolled in the first year of the CP
• Completion of application packet by the early spring quarter deadline date (exact date announced annually)
• Full-time student status (15 credit hours per quarter) while enrolled in the fall, winter and spring quarters during the second year of the CP; six credit hours summer quarter of the second year of the CP.

Meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee that a position will be awarded. Since there are a limited number of positions available, the application process is competitive.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The coordinated program in dietetics is currently granted developmental accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/899-0040  ext. 5400.