nutrition & dietetics - Graduation and Program Completion Guidelines

Students applying to a Dietetic Internship program or Master's Degree-Dietetic Internship (MS-DI) program must provide evidence that they have completed an undergraduate dietetics curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Verification Statement
The Verification Statement, signed by the DPD Director, documents that an individual has completed the requirements of a dietetics education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. This document is essential to establish eligibility:

1. for post graduate supervised practice programs (ex. MSDI, DI, GP);
2. to take the Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists;
3. for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Active membership.

The Verification Statement is also required for students wishing to pursue a career as a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR). Successful completion of the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is also required for the NDTR credential.

For more information about Verification Statements “Frequently Asked Questions,” click here.

Students with a Bachelor’s Degree
For students who previously earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree and have returned to meet the DPD requirements, they have a maximum of five years to meet DPD requirements from the date of acceptance in order to receive a Verfication Statement. If the student needs more than five years, the student will be required to meet the DPD requirements currently in effect. An overview of the Nutrition and Dietetics major can be found in the Unviersity's catalog. 

Coursework requirements to receive a Verification Statement from the University of Delaware

To receive a Verification Statement from the University of Delaware Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), the following courses MUST be taken at UD:

• HBNS321 Quanity Food Production and Service (3 credits)
• HBNS322 Management Food & Nutrition Services (3 credits)
• HBNS327 Onsite Food Production (3 credits)
• HBNS360 Introduction to Public Health & Community Nutrition (2 credits)
• HBNS404 Nutrition Senior Seminar (1 credit)
• HBNS450 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 credits)
• HBNS451 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 credits)
• HBNS460 Community Nutrition (3 credits)

Retention and Remediation Procedures

Students are expected to maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00 GPA) to be in good academic standing and to be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD Program).

A minimum grade of C- is required in BISC 207, CHEM 102 or 104, CHEM 213, CHEM 214, CHEM 215, and CHEM 216.

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved for credits to count toward the fulfillment of all core HBNS nutrition courses. A minimum grade of C- in HBNS nutrition 200-level courses must be achieved to proceed to upper-level courses. Students must retake a course until a C- or higher grade is achieved.

Students are expected to discuss their academic program with their advisors and inform them of their progress. Faculty advisors and students are encouraged to discuss relevant academic issues with the DPD Director.