Department of Nutritional Sciences

College of Human Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition: Dietetics Option

Dietetic education at Auburn University dates back to 1921, shortly after the inception of the American Dietetic Association in 1917 dedicating the profession to helping the government conserve food and improve the public's health and nutrition. The Nutrition/Dietetics option is designed to prepare students interested in completing the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). This option prepares students for careers in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, public health, wellness, nutrition education and counseling, foodservice management, and food and nutrition in industry.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition/Dietetics consists of a 2-year pre-professional component and the 2-year Professional Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Graduates who successfully complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics are qualified to apply for a post-baccalaureate supervised-practice program (e.g., a dietetic internship), which is a requirement for eligibility to take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians and earn the RD/RDN credential.

Mission

The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Auburn University is to provide a high quality program that will prepare graduates for supervised practice, leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist dedicated to enhancing human well-being and quality of life through food and nutrition.

DPD Program Goals and Outcome Measures

Goal 1:

To prepare DPD graduates by emphasizing foundation knowledge and competency in nutrition and dietetics so that graduates of the DPD will successfully apply their undergraduate education in post-baccalaureate supervised practice (e.g., dietetic internships, coordinated master's programs, or individualized supervised practice pathway (ISPP)), graduate/professional studies, and entry-level practice.

Outcome Objectives

Within 3 years of admission to the professional-DPD curriculum, 80% of students will complete the requirements to receive a Verification Statement of DPD program completion.
60% of DPD graduates will apply to dietetic internships/supervised practice prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
60% of DPD graduates applying to dietetic internships/supervised practice are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
The DPD 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 will be at least 80%.
90% of DPD graduates who complete a dietetic internship/supervised practice experience will be rated by their program directors as having met or exceeded the performance expectations of the program.
DPD graduates responding to the senior survey will report a mean satisfaction rating of very good or outstanding with their Auburn University education.

Goal 2:

DPD graduates will continue life-long learning to improve professional practice by participating in continuing education after graduation.

Outcome Objectives

At least 70% of graduates responding to the DPD graduate survey indicate they have attended or participated in a continuing education activity such as a seminar, conference, webinar or self-study.

All information on this website as well as program costs and other pertinent information can be found in the DPD handbook.

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

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 at Auburn University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

Accreditation Status

The Auburn University's Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400. www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND.

Program Director:
Elaine Fontenot Molaison, PhD, RD
Professor and Head, Department of Nutritional Sciences
Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics
260 Lem Morrison Dr. Auburn, AL 36849
101E Poultry Science Building
O: 334.844.4442
F: 334-844-3268
elaine.molaison@auburn.edu
334-844-3271