Nutrition and Foods Program

Program Structure

Appalachian State University's Undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics meets the requirements to prepare students for entrance into a Dietetic Internship. The four year program consists of two phases:

1. Pre-dietetics (Phase 1): Two years of introductory professional requirements and general education courses which may be obtained at Appalachian State University or another accredited college or university, or equivalent institution for international students.
2. Dietetics (Phase 2): Two years of study in clinical dietetics, foodsystems management, and community nutrition at Appalachian State University campus.

This program is designed to fulfill Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)*required knowledge requirements for students to receive a Verification Statement and apply for graduate programs with supervised practice dietetic internships. See the Nutrition and Foods (Dietetics Concentration) Plan of Study for the proposed Four Year Schedule of the Dietetics Program.  Refer to the Undergraduate Handbook for specific program information.

*Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 S Riverside Plaza #2000, Chicago, IL 60606. 800-877-1600 ext. 5400. (www.eatrightpro.org/acend)

Program Admission Criteria

NUT Dietetics GPA requirements: 2.8 cumulative GPA required for declaration, 2.8 cumulative GPA required for retention, and 2.5 cumulative and 2.0 major GPA required for graduation.

NUT Dietetics grade requirements: All NUT Dietetics majors must earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) in each required course in the major.

In order to remain in the concentration and earn a Verification Statement for supervised practice, students must: maintain a 2.8 cumulative GPA, earn a “C” (2.0) in each required course in the major, attempt required courses in the major no more than twice (1 repeat), and earn a “C” (2.0) in all ACEND-required knowledge requirements for dietitian nutritionists (KRDN) student learning objectives. Please see the Student Handbook for more information regarding retention guidelines/policies.

Accreditation

The Didactic Program in Dietetics at Appalachian State University, which is the Dietetics Concentration within the Nutrition and Foods degree, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 S Riverside Plaza #2000, Chicago, IL 60606. 800-877-1600 ext. 5400. (www.eatrightpro.org/acend) *Outcomes data available upon request, email Melissa Bryan bryanmm@appstate.edu.

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 Dietetics program at Appalachian State University are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].

Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management Mission and Vision

Vision: The vision of the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management is to be recognized as a model for offering innovative programs with faculty recognized for effective teaching, relevant research and meaningful community engagement to improve the health of individuals, institutions, and communities at all levels – local to global.

Mission: The mission of the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management is to advance knowledge in our disciplines and to use that knowledge to prepare professionals who function as competent and effective practitioners and leaders in health settings, community agencies, and businesses.

These professionals will demonstrate a broad and current understanding of their field, an appropriate application of that knowledge to the professional environment, and the ability to interact effectively with individual and organizational stakeholders.

Nutrition and Foods

Mission Statement of the Didactic Program in Dietetics

The Didactic Program in Dietetics' (DPD) mission is to:

1. Provide opportunities for students to master the knowledge and skills necessary to prepares students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
2. Propagate student curiosity and inquiry about the theory and practice of dietetics that will lead to discovery and application of new ideas and knowledge.
3. Encourage the development of multiculturally sensitive attitudes, values and goals for professional integrity, service, humility, and life-long learning.
4. Facilitate the development of critical thinking, decision making, and leadership skills.
5. Meet the need for food and dietetics professionals by developing generalists who are able to perform in diverse scope of practice settings.

Goals and Objectives of the Didactic Program in Dietetics

The program goals and objectives for the Didactic Program in Dietetics at Appalachian State University are as follows:

Program Goal 1: Graduates will demostrate the knowledge requirements, skills and values necessary for dietetics practice, post-graduate education or positions within food and dietetics.

Outcome measures to assess achievement of this goal

• At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length) 

• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 

• Seniors will complete the Senior Survey to indicate the degree of satisfaction with the DPD. 

• At least 80% of seniors responding to the senior survey will indicate a rating of 4 or better on the section I of the survey and 2 or better on the Section 2 of the survey. 

• Graduates will complete the alumni survey and will indicate a high level of satisfaction with didactic preparation. 80% of those graduates who complete the alumni survey will indicate a rating of 2 or better.

Program Goal 2: Graduates will be prepared for supervised practice programs, graduate education, and employment.

Outcome measures to assess achievement of this goal

• At least 66 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation 

• Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 75 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation 

• Of those who respond, at least 80% of DI Directors, Graduate School Directors and employers will indicate that students were prepared for DI, Graduate School or employment 

• Of graduates who verified, but who did not apply to or were not accepted to supervised practice programs, will obtain employment and/or enter a graduate program of study in a health-related area. 70% of nutrition graduates who do not apply for a supervised practice program will obtain employment and/or enter a graduate program of study in a health-related area.

*outcomes data available upon request, email Melissa Bryan bryanmm@appstate.edu

Dietetics Program Financial Aid, Costs and Fees 

Repeatedly cited as a best value in public education, Appalachian understands that cost is a major concern for many families.  So, ASU offers ways to help.  Many students combine several sources to make college more affordable.  Regardless of one’s financial situation, a student may contact counselors in Admissions (828-262-2120) or Financial Aid (828-262-2190) for assistance.  Student employment is another resource.

Estimated minimum expenses for a full-time or part-time undergraduate can be found on the Admissions  website. 

Program Specific Costs:

• Textbook rental program through bookstore $150.00 per semester fall/spring; $35.00 each summer session

Junior/Senior Year

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Student Membership $58.00/year AND Student Membership Information
  • also provides access to (EAL) Evidence Analysis Library
• eNCPT INDT subscription $35.00/year with AND Student Membership (will utilize in NUT 3100, NUT 4000, NUT 4240 and NUT 4250) $100.00/year without AND student membership

If a student applies for a Dietetic Internship Match the following fees will apply:

• Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) fees:  $50.00 for first program and $25.00 for each additional program

Academic Calendar

The DPD Program and all Undergraduate Nutrition and Foods Programs utilize  Appalachian State University’s standard academic calendar which can be found by clicking on the following link:  Academic Calendar.