DPD Requirements for Graduate Students

The Ddietetics Track at the University of Massachusetts is accredited with ACEND (ACEND [at] eatright [dot] org) and is the UMass Amherst Didactic Program in Dietetics. (NOTE: ACEND is the accreditation arm of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). AND is located at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; 312-899-0040 (ACEND [at] eatright [dot] org (ACEND[at]eatright[dot]org)). The requirements for graduate students pursuing the DPD Verification Statement mostly overlap with the undergraduate DPD requirements. Where there is no overlap for an ACEND learning outcome, graduate students complete these independently.

Course (or equivalent) requirements for the DPD verification statement:

  • Chemistry (two semester with lab)
  • Introductory biology (one semester)
  • Organic chemistry (one semester)
  • Biochemistry (one semester)
  • Human physiology (one semester)
  • Psychology, sociology or anthropology (one semester)
  • BIOSTATS 540 (required for graduate degree)
  • Nutrition 230: Basic Nutrition
  • Nutrition 210: Scientific Principles of Food
  • Nutrition 352: Nutrition in the Lifecycle
  • Nutrition 430: Nutrition & Metabolism or 630
  • Nutrition 572: Community Nutrition
  • Nutrition 580*: Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • Nutrition 597M*: Special Topics in in Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • MGT 301: Principles of Management or other introductory management class
  • Personnel Management (such as MGT 314 Personnel Management or HTM 260 Hospitality Personnel Management)
  • Food Service Systems Management (HTM 250: Food Service Management)

DPD competencies checklist for graduate students (in the undergraduate dietetic track these KDRNs are covered by coursework in classes that graduate students do not take):

  • Sample of writing for the public. Please print and place in my mailbox.
  • PowerPoint pdf. for professional audience (as handout 6 slides per page) — please use your PowerPoint for Nutrition 793.
    • Abstract for professional audience — please use your abstract for Nutrition 793.
  • Evidence analysis worksheet — please read the instructions on this assignment.
  • Summary of scope of Practice — please read the article on the Grad Student DPD Moodle page. Complete the assignment.
  • Mentoring worksheet

Please read the articles on the Grad Student DPD Moodle page. Complete the assignment.

  • Public policy worksheet

Please see instructions on how to complete the policy assignment. Complete the assignment.

  • Health policy assignment — please read the instruction on the Graduate DPD Moodle page and complete the assignment.

When all assignments are completed please put them in a Zip file and send them to me.

*Nutrition 580 and 597M are taken together and are only offered in the fall

Upon completion of the DPD, achieved by finishing all the requirements above, students will receive the DPD Verification Statement. The DPD Verification Statement shows that students have successfully completed the courses needed to achieve the student learning outcomes and competencies set by Accreditation Council for the Education of Nutritionists and Dietitians (ACEND). The DPD Verification Statement is needed to apply to a Supervised Practice or Dietetic Internship. Registration also requires passing a national registration examination. The Verification Statement shows that a student has achieved the academic standards in a program that meets the administrative standards of ACEND. ACEND sets out learning objectives that all students must show mastery of in order to earn the Verification Statement. Academic programs wishing to educate future dietitians must meet rigorous administrative standards that demonstrate that our students are successful in the application process for dietetic internships and in the RDN exam. Upon graduation from the dietetics track, all students will receive an electronic copy of their Verification Statement.

Effective Jan. 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). Approval to sit for the registration examination with a bachelor’s degree requires that individuals have completed the DPD and Dietetic Internship (and so have met all eligibility requirements) before Dec. 31, 2023 at 12.00 midnight CT. They must also have submitted the application for approval to take the exam into the CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12 midnight CT, Dec. 31, 2023. If you miss this deadline, you will have to have a master’s degree and completed 1,200 hours of supervised practice to be eligible to apply to take the exam. For more information about the new master’s degree requirement, visit the CDR website Or call 800-877-1600 ext. 5500.