Didactic Program in Dietetics, Certificate

Saint Louis University’s didactic program in dietetics, offered at the Doisy College of Health Sciences, prepares you to become a registered dietitian/nutritionist. You can still satisfy the requirements to gain eligibility for the program if you have a degree in a different area of study.

Curriculum Overview

SLU’s didactic program in dietetics (DPD) enrolls students who have already obtained an undergraduate degree in an alternate field and are pursuing a career on the path to becoming a registered dietitian/nutritionist.

The didactic program in dietetics features two curricular track options for DPD completion: a culinary track and a standard track. After completing the curriculum, you will earn a DPD verification statement that will prepare you to apply for dietetic internship programs, which are required to become a registered dietitian.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

Saint Louis University also offers a 15-month combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship. Open to those who have completed the didactic program in dietetics certificate, the internship trains students to become competent entry-level dietitians and prepare for the dietetic registration examination while earning a master's degree.

Careers

Registered dietitians/nutritionists frequently work in hospitals or other health care facilities, as well as in food and nutrition-related businesses and industries. They may also work in schools, hospitals, commercial kitchens, catering companies or nutrition and culinary services.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for transfer students include:

• A minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.00 scale
• Four years of high school English
• Three years of high school math and science (including one year of chemistry and one year of biology)
• A self-evaluation of transcripts

For priority enrollment in courses, applications should be complete by June 1 for a fall start date and Dec. 1 for a spring start date.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:

• You must demonstrate English Language proficiency.
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Self-evaluation Directions for Applicants

Choose the appropriate self-evaluation of transcripts. Once the self-evaluation is complete, send your unofficial transcript and self-evaluation of courses to Lauren Landfried, Ph.D., RD, LD, FAND, at Lauren.Landfried@health.slu.edu. 

• Self-evaluation of Transcripts, Courses Required for DPD Verification (Standard)
• Self-evaluation of Transcripts, Courses Required for DPD Verification (Culinary Track)
• Fill in the corresponding course title and number, as well as the name of the institution and the grade you received. Official approval of course substitution will only occur after acceptance and enrollment into the program.
• Include a course description or preferably a course syllabus for any course in question. If you do not have a syllabus, try contacting that institution's department to request a copy for the appropriate year.
• A transcript must be included with the self-evaluation. An unofficial copy is acceptable.
• International students must have their transcript reviewed by World Education Services Inc.

To assist in filling out your self-evaluation of the transcript, you can view the undergraduate transfer articulation page.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

Saint Louis University's MS-DI program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
312-899-0040 ext. 5400
https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective professional communication in the transmission of food and nutrition information.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to develop patient-centered care plans that reflect a value for the inherent worth of others.
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate nutrition education methods to facilitate diet changes in diverse populations.
4. Graduates will be able to articulate the value of nutrition and dietetics professionals in an interprofessional care context. 
5. Graduates will be able to evidence the proper use of professional literature to make evidence-based nutrition care decisions.

Program Objectives

Goal 1: To prepare a generalist, internship-eligible graduate who has achieved basic competencies as identified by the Core Knowledge Requirements and Expected Learning Outcomes

• 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%.
• At least 70 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 50 percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
• A minimum of 80 percent of students completing dietetic internships and/or post-baccalaureate programs will indicate that they “strongly agree” or “agree” that their undergraduate education adequately prepared them for their post-BS education.
• At least 80 percent of students completing dietetic internships and/or post-baccalaureate programs will indicate that they strongly agree or agree that their undergraduate education made them competitive with colleagues from other programs.
• At least 80 percent of program students* complete program/degree requirements within three years (150 percent of the program length). Program completion rate is calculated by tracking students from the beginning of the junior year.   *ACEND-specific objectives

Goal 2: To prepare a graduate who is knowledgeable about nutritional care in multiple settings and demonstrates specific personal and professional competencies.

• A minimum of 80 percent of dietetic internship directors will indicate that graduates were more than satisfactorily prepared for success in their dietetic internship program.
• A minimum of 80 percent of students will indicate that they strongly agree or agree that they felt adequately prepared for the dietetic internship program.  

Goal 3: To provide a basis for further development and life-long learning that will assure continued competence.

• A minimum of 85 percent of graduates will answer that they agree or strongly agree that the DPD program instilled a desire for continued development as a self-learner.

Goal 4: To prepare a graduate who will contribute to society based on the development of a sense of community and social/civic responsibility.

• A minimum of 75 percent of graduating seniors will have participated in a total of at least 20 hours of service learning by the end of the DPD program.
• A minimum of 85 percent of graduates will indicate that they agree or strongly agree that the DPD program supported the development of judgments respectful of the inherent dignity and worth of individuals.  

DPD Certificate Standard Track

*

Prerequisites can be taken at Saint Louis University or an accepted institution for transfer credit. Refer to Transferology for more information on transferring coursework to Saint Louis University. 

DPD Certificate Culinary Track 

*

Prerequisites can be taken at Saint Louis University or an accepted institution for transfer credit. Refer to Transferology for more information on transferring coursework to Saint Louis University. 

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Standard Certificate Option

†

Hepatitis A vaccine required before enrolling

‡

Background Check Required

Culinary Certificate Option

†

Hepatitis A vaccine required before enrolling

‡

Background Check Required

Apply for Admission

Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu