Didactic Program in Dietetics

Program Overview
How to Become a Registered Dietitian
How to Become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered
Verification Statement and Declaration of Intent
Paths to becoming a RD/RDN offered at SJSU
General Program Information
DPD Director and Accreditation

Program Overview

• Program Mission and Goals

  • Mission Statement

    The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics is to prepare students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the Commission for Dietetic Registration credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. The Didactic Program in Dietetics is committed to transmit knowledge and skills at the undergraduate level that are needed for competent dietetics practice to improve the quality of life in diverse communities.

    Program Goals

    The Didactic Program in Dietetics at San José State University has established two goals: 

    Goal 1

    The program will prepare graduates to be competent for entry into supervised practice or other post-graduate programs through quality educational offerings.

    Objectives:

    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 percent.

    Fifty percent of program graduates will apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

    Forty percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.

    Supervised practice program directors will rate their overall satisfaction with the graduate’s preparation for supervised practice as at least 3.0 on a 5.0 scale for at least 70 percent of the graduates.

    At least 80 percent of program students complete program/degree requirements within three years (150 percent of the program length).

    80 percent of graduates will receive a rating of satisfactory or above in the academic preparation and overall performance evaluation by the field experience supervisors.

    Goal 2

    The program will prepare graduates to be multi-culturally competent through experiential learning experiences and contribute to improving the quality of life in diverse communities.

    Objectives:

    At least 50 percent of graduates who complete the requirements of the dietetics program indicate they can work effectively with culturally diverse populations in a variety of settings.

    At least 50 percent of graduates will have participated in a global experience through educational offerings to gain intercultural perspective.

    Program outcomes data is available upon request from the DPD Director.

The Didactic Program in Dietetics provides students with the competencies, knowledge, and skills required of the dietetics professional for practice roles of today and the future. The program helps students to develop critical thinking skills and problem solving ability in clinical and community nutrition and food service management. The Dietetics curriculum includes support courses from the social, physical, and life sciences. Students have the option to select elective courses outside the major and/or to complete minors in business, chemistry, education, gerontology, health science, human performance, journalism, or other areas. In addition, with the appropriate coursework, students are also prepared for advanced degrees (Master of Science) and post baccalaureate education (dietetic internships).

The dietetics concentration is appropriate for students who would like to become practicing nutritionists or dietitians.

The DPD Program at San José State University is accredited at the undergraduate level leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science with a Concentration in Dietetics and the DPD Verification Statement. San José State University offers a MS in Nutritional Science and students can complete the DPD courses along with the masters level courses to receive a DPD Verification Statement.

How to Become a Registered Dietitian

• What is a Registered Dietitian (RD) / Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

  • The titles Registered Dietitian and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist are synonymous. See the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website for a more detailed definition. 

    RDs are food and nutrition experts who has met registration certification criteria set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, and Commission on Dietetic Registration.

    RDs are often referred to as "nutritionists", but RDs have more education and training than nutritionists and have greater job responsibilities.

    Another credential is Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Registered.

    What does a RD/RDN do?

    RDs uses evidenced-based practice to promote good health through nutrition (eating).

    Registered dietitians assess the nutritional needs of both sick and healthy people and then develop individualized plans of care to improve or maintain health.

    In what settings do RDs/RDNs work?

    Clinical – hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, home care
    Community – public health agencies; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; schools
    Corporations – businesses
    Management – food service, administration
    Private practice
    Sports nutrition
    Research
    Consulting
    Culinary
    Education - teach

1. Complete academic coursework in an ACEND-accredited program.
2. Complete a minimum of 1,000 hours in a post-baccalaureate ACEND- accredited supervised practice program.
3. Earn a master's degree (effective January 1, 2024).*
4. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing examination.
   

    

   • *New Commission on Dietetic Registration Requirements

     • 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 programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics at San José State University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

       In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

       For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

How to Become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered

• What is a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR)?

  • Nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs) work independently as team members under the supervision of RDNs in a variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, foodservice and research. Many work environments requires that an individual be credentialed as an NDTR.

    More information can be found at Become an NDTR.

Registration eligibility requirements and how to apply for the examination.

Verification Statement and Declaration of Intent

• What is a DPD Verification Statement and how do I request one?

  • What is a DPD Verification Statement?

    The DPD Verification Statement is an official document signed by the DPD director certifying a student has successfully completed both a baccalaureate degree and the program’s ACEND-accredited dietetics coursework requirements. An official transcript showing the grades received and stating “Degree Conferred” is required to issue the Verification Statement.

    Eligibility

    SJSU students graduating with a BS in Nutritional Science, concentration in Dietetics OR SJSU students completing the MS in Nutritional Science and the DPD program.

    The Verification Statement is the official document needed when applying to:

    1. Dietetic internship programs
    2. RD exam
    3. NDTR exam
    4. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics active membership
    5. Potential employers

    Steps for requesting a DPD Verification Statement

    1. Complete the Declaration of Intent Request form [pdf].
    2. Meet with the DPD director to discuss policies and procedures (DPD Handbook [pdf]).
    3. Request a DPD Verification Statement after completing the program.
• What is a Declaration of Intent and when should I request one?

  • The Declaration of Intent is given as a contract with a list of classes required for successful completion of the DPD Program.

    It allows students to apply for a dietetic internship during their final semester before graduating.

    It is the first document issued upon transcript evaluation. In order to receive a DPD Verification Statement, you must first request a Declaration of Intent.

    When should you request a Declaration of Intent?

    One year prior to graduating. For example, early in the fall semester when you register for NUFS 110A, after you receive a C or better in NUFS 108A.

    Graduate students need to submit their documents for transcript evaluation and Declaration of Intent right after admission to the program.

Paths to becoming a RD/RDN offered at SJSU

Path 1

1. Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Science with Dietetics Concentration (includes Didactic Program in Dietetics at SJSU)
2. Master's degree (any field)
3. External Dietetic Internship through another institution or an Internal Dietetic Internship
4. RD Exam

Path 2

1. Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education (SAGE) Scholars Program in Nutritional Science with Dietetics concentration (BS+MS, includes Didactic Program in Dietetics at SJSU)
2. External Dietetic Internship through another institution or an Internal Dietetic Internship through SJSU
3. RD Exam

Path 3

1. Bachelor of Science without Didactic Program in Dietetics from another university
2. Master of Science in Nutritional Science at SJSU with Didactic Program in Dietetics coursework
3. External Dietetic Internship through another institution or an Internal Dietetic Internship through SJSU
4. RD Exam

Path 4

1. Bachelor of Science degree with Didactic Program in Dietetics from another university
2. Master of Science degree in Nutritional Science at SJSU
3. External Dietetic Internship through another institution or an Internal Dietetic Internship through SJSU
4. RD Exam

General Program Information

For detailed information about the Didactic Program in Dietetics, please see our SJSU DPD Handbook [pdf]. For an overview, please see our Dietetics Brochure [pdf]. 

Academic Calendar

Current Year

Estimate of Program Costs

• Financial Aid Availability

  • Financial assistance is available in the form of grants, scholarships, fellowships, loans, and part-time employment (work study) for students who meet financial aid program eligibility requirements. For further information on financial aid, see the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office website.

Application

An application fee of $60 is required for each new application filed. Students must pay the required State University Fee of $3,898 per semester for full-time students and $2,692 for part-time students (1.0-6.0 units).

Graduate students pay $4,615 for full-time students and $3,109 for part-time students (1.0-6.0 units).

The San José State University fee pays the costs of student services such as counseling, testing, student activities, housing placement, Health Services, and Student Financial Aid Administration. In addition, these fees cover some supplies and service costs of instruction and Instructional Resources. Other miscellaneous campus fees that must be paid each semester, regardless of number of units taken, include:

California residents are not charged tuition. Non-residents, however, must pay tuition of $396 per semester unit in addition to the above fees.

*Costs subject to change.

DPD Costs

Per Semester

One-Time Payment

On-Campus Housing Options and Costs

There are a number of housing options to SJSU students who live on or near the campus. Residence halls, off-campus university apartments, and privately-owned apartments and houses are all available to university students. In addition, most fraternities and sororities offer housing accommodations to their members.

Joe West Hall is our largest resident hall at 12 stories high.  It houses over 650 residents.  West Hall provides many diversified living options including: double and triple occupancy rooms, suites, and single occupancy rooms. The cost for dormitories (including meal plans) is $3082-$3926 per semester.

Spartan Village is a student complex of 58 two-bedroom furnished apartments with fully equipped kitchens. Laundry facilities are located on the premises. Each apartment houses four to six students of the same gender. The Spartan Village Community Room provides recreation and study areas, and the grounds include space for barbecues and volleyball. Security at the complex is provided by the University Police Department and grounds are patrolled regularly by a University Police Department Public Safety Assistant.

The Campus Village is an exciting mixed-use project which includes new student housing for 2100 residents, faculty/staff housing, underground parking, recreational space, a computer lab, meeting rooms, retail space, and the housing office. The new housing is designed to meet the needs of today’s students who prefer suite and apartment style living options.   Campus Village opened in August 2005.

For additional information, contact the University Housing Services Residential Life Office at 408-924-6160 or write to the Director of Housing, One Washington Square, San José, CA  95192.

DPD Director

Dr. Giselle Pignotti

One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0058 

Phone: 408-924-3108
Email: giselle.pignotti@sjsu.edu

Accreditation

The SJSU DPD is accredited by the:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 
Chicago, IL 60606-6995

Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400
Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend