Nicholls State University

DIETETICS

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Welcome to Dietetics

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Welcome to Dietetics at Nicholls State University. If you are curious about the connection between nutrition and health or would enjoy assisting people regain their health after an illness, then a career in the broad and dynamic field of dietetics might be for you. The registered dietitian is the recognized, credentialed food and nutrition expert qualified to provide information designed to improve diet and prevent diseases with dietary risk factors as well as to provide medical nutrition therapy to individuals with diseases/medical conditions that require a dietary component in treatment.

The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Nicholls State University is to provide comprehensive learning experiences immersed in Bayou Region culture to prepare students for supervised practice, leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam and become Registered Dietitians.

  1. The program will prepare graduates to be accepted into and competent for supervised practice and pass the CDR credentialing exam for dietitians.
  2. Through academic advising, the program will retain the number of students who complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
  3. The program will prepare graduates who are committed to professional involvement, leadership and service.
  1. Seventy percent (70%) of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
  2. Seventy percent (70%) of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
  3. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within 1 year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
  4. DI Directors will rate 90% of NSU-DPD graduates as good, very good, or excellent for Overall Preparedness for Supervised Practice.
  5. At least 80% of program students complete the program/degree requirements within 6 years. (150% of time)
  6. “Quality of Career Guidance, Advising, and Communication with Faculty” will receive a rating of “3” Satisfactory or above on graduate survey.
  7. Averaged over a 5-year period, at least 50% of our graduates report membership in a professional dietetics related association.
  8. Eighty percent (80%) of DPD graduates will rate the program’s ability to prepare them for supervised practice as very satisfactory or satisfactory on the 1 year Alumni Survey.

*Program outcome data is available to ACEND and the public upon request.

ACCREDITATION

The Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by 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, 1.800.877.1600 extension 5400).

HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST

A variety of career options are available for dietitians. Clinical dietitians are employed by hospitals and nursing care facilities. Community dietitians work in public health clinics, home health agencies and health maintenance organizations. Management dietitians are employed by corporations providing food service to schools, universities, hospitals and correctional facilities. The food industry hires registered dietitians to test and market products, and dietitians can work in the pharmaceutical industry as sales representatives for nutritional products. View the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Information for Students here.

U.S. Department of Labor Information

Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook – Dietitians and Nutritionists

  1. Enroll in an ACEND-accredited university that offers a bachelor’s degree and verification statement (didactic program).
  2. Upon graduation, apply for and complete an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship
  3. Pass the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.

 

FAQs About Careers in Dietetics, CLICK HERE

 

Routes to Meeting Eligibility Requirements for the Registration Exam for Dietitians:

DOWNLOAD PDF, CLICK HERE

 

With or without a Masters Degree after Jan. 1, 2024:

DOWNLOAD PDF, CLICK HERE

The DPD curriculum includes food science and nutrition, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, management and sociology courses. Hands-on experience in the campus food science laboratory and at area hospitals, health care facilities and food service operations enhance classroom learning.

View a curriculum sheet to help guide you. (Each student is expected to meet with his/her advisor prior to registering for any class.)

DIET curriculum 202-23, CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD PDF

Courses in major should be taken in sequential order. Students can obtain a curriculum plan from their assigned adviser. For more information about the academic calendar and current curriculum, visit the current Nicholls catalog web page.

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science and the didactic program in dietetics requirements outlined in the student handbook, students will receive a verification statement from the program director. This verification statement is required for eligibility to apply to accredited supervised practice programs (dietetic internships).

Acceptance into these programs is very competitive. Students should strive to maintain a high grade point average, volunteer at nutrition-related activities and gain paid work experience.

All Dietitians and Nutritionists practicing in the State of Louisiana must be licensed by the Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition. See www.LBEDN.org for more information.

The dietetics degree at Nicholls State University is a Didactic Program in Dietetics and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The didactic program in dietetics is the first step on the path to becoming a Registered Dietitian. To become a Registered Dietitian, a student must complete an accredited education program and earn a verification statement. Secondly the student must complete an ACEND accredited internship and finally pass the RD exam.

Graduates of the Nicholls State University DPD program will earn a verification statement needed in order to apply for an internship.

Minimum requirements for application to the program are:

1. Students must be a declared Dietetics major.

2. Student must have a minimum OVERALL GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

3. The following courses (or their equivalent) must be completed with a minimum grade of “C”. While C’s are the minimum grade required, it is recommended that students earn A’s and B’s.

Course Number

Course Name

Credit Hours

BIOL 114Human Anatomy & Phys I3
BIOL 115Human Anatomy & Phys Lab I1
BIOL 116Human Anatomy & Phys II3
BIOL 117Human Anatomy & Phys  Lab II1
ENGL 101English Composition I3
ENGL 102English Composition II3
MATH 101College Algebra3
MATH 214Statistics3
DIET 111Food and Nutrition3
DIET 200Applied Nutrition3
PSYC Elective 3
CHEM 105Introductory Chem I3
   
Total Credit Hours 32 hours
  • Applications for Fall 2022 Admission is due: Feb. 2022
  • Contact Elizabeth Sloan for more information at 985.493.2613
  • Applications can be mailed to: Elizabeth Sloan, PO BOX 2090, Thibodaux, LA 70310
  • Application will be available soon.

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 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework 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 [program type] program at [Institution name] are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.”

The dietetics curriculum at Nicholls State University meets the bachelor level educational requirements for licensure by the LBEDN.

 

FACILITIES

CONTACT INFO

E-mail: Elizabeth Sloan, DPD Coordinator
Phone: 985-493-2613
Office Location: 412 Gouaux Hall
Hours: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

LOCATION

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