About the Program
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600, ext. 5400
https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
The program provides students with the academic requirements established by ACEND for entry-level dietitians/nutritionists. Graduates of the program receive a verification statement signed by the DPND program director. Graduates are then eligible to apply for an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program via dietetic internships or individualized supervised practice pathways that are available throughout the country. After completing the supervised practice requirements, individuals may take the registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Passing the registration examination earns the credentials of Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN). Career opportunities are available to dietitians in health facilities, food service organizations, government agencies, and consulting work. Some individuals use this program to prepare for graduate study in nutrition-related areas.
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 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). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at Buffalo State are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
Academic Requirements
All DPND students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to continue as juniors as defined by the program. DPND student cumulative GPAs will be reviewed prior to starting any DPND junior courses (NFS 401 and/or NFS 330). Students failing to meet the GPA requirement cannot advance in the program until they have met the required GPA and therefore, cannot graduate with a degree in dietetics.
About the Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics Department
334 Caudell Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5913
Fax: (716) 878-5834
https://hnd.buffalostate.edu/
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted as freshmen or transfers. Transfer students, undeclared students, or students changing majors or desiring a major in this program must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in previous college credit. Undeclared students or those changing majors to dietetics must fill out a Change of Major form.
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours 33
Nutrition and Food Service Major Requirements (46 credit hours)
NFS 100 INTRODUCTION TO FOOD PREPARATION 3
NFS 102 INTRODUCTORY NUTRITION 3
NFS 200 APPLIED FOOD CHEMISTRY 1
NFS 211 APPLIED MANAGEMENT IN DIETETICS I 3
NFS 230 INTRODUCTION TO DIETETICS 2
NFS 302 ADVANCED NUTRITION 3
NFS 311 APPLIED MANAGEMENT IN DIETETICS II 3
NFS 315 LIFE CYCLE AND COMMUNITY NUTRITION I 3
NFS 316 LIFE CYCLE AND COMMUNITY NUTRITION II 3
NFS 330 INTEGRATIVE AND FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION 1
NFS 401 MEDICAL NUTRITIONAL THERAPY I 4
NFS 402 MEDICAL NUTRITIONAL THERAPY II 3
NFS 403 MEDICAL NUTRITIONAL THERAPY III 3
NFS 405 PRINCIPLES OF NUTRITION EDUCATION 2
NFS 430 INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION RESEARCH 3
NFS 420 DIETETIC EXPERIENCE 3
NFS 495 SPECIAL PROJECT 2
Requirements Outside the Department (37 credit hours) 1
BIO 100 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 3
BIO 308 SURVEY OF HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 3
BIO 309 LABORATORY SURVEY OF HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1
BIO 355 SURVEY OF MICROBIOLOGY 3
CHE 111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I
& CHE 113 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I 4
CHE 112 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II
& CHE 114 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II 4
CHE 321 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 4
CHE 322 BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
CIS 101 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS 2 3
LIB 100 INTRODUCTION TO LIBRARY RESEARCH METHODS 2 1
MAT 311 INTRODUCTORY PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS (or equivalent) 3
PSY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 3
Total Credit Hours 114
1 Some of these courses meet the Intellectual Foundations requirement.
2 This course is recommended but not required.