Main Content:

Overview

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Dietitian teaching family about healthy food selections

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is no longer accepting students and will be voluntarily closing effective May 31, 2020. 

The Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition is offering two other programs: 

Nutrition Students Snack Presentation

About

Learn more about the mission and goals of our undergraduate Nutrition program and how it puts students on track to become Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists (RDNs). 

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Admission

View the admission requirements and course prerequisites for Pitt's undergraduate Nutrition program. Students should demonstrate knowledge of the profession through previous work experiences, internships, field and/or volunteer work experiences. 

 

Nutrition Students on Farm Field Trip

Curriculum

The undergraduate Nutrition program curriculum includes courses in Food Science, Nutrition Therapy and Assessment, and Nutrition Counseling.

  • The DPD follows the University's Academic Calendar
  • Graduation and Program Completion Requirements - Please see Section V-K of the DPD Student Handbook
Students around a computer

Program Goals and Outcomes

Learn more about our program standards through our goals and outcomes.

Cathedral of Learning

Scholarships

There are a variety of scholarship opportunities available to Nutrition students through Pitt's program and several local and national organizations. Additional financial information is available at https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/admissions/financial-information 


Accreditation 

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).  Only ACEND-accredited programs can train individuals to become RDNs.

Contact information for ACEND:
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Phone: 1-800/877-1600, ext. 5400
Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Website:  https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Requirements and Process to Become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) requires the following:

1. Completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and a bachelor's degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college/university.*

2. Completion of an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (Dietetic Internship or Coordinated Master's Program in Dietetics to provide a minimum of 1200 supervised/experiential practice hours).

3. Successful performance on the National Registration Examination for Dietitians. The exam requirements are set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Graduates passing the registration exam are eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania by the Board of Nursing. For licensing information please see instructions for Licensed Dietitian-Nutrition (LDN) Applicants

*This program is an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics and grants a Bachelor of Science degree to graduates.