The Nutrition & Dietetics B.S./M.S. Program is a five-year program which meets the knowledge requirements and competencies for entry-level practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The program is divided into two phases: the pre-professional phase (years 1 through 3) and the ACEND® accredited Coordinated Program phase which begins in the fall term following year 3 of study. Students who maintain the university and department academic standards are guaranteed placement in the Coordinated Program. Maximum accreditation class size limit is thirty (30) students per cohort.

The Coordinated Program curriculum offers classroom instruction along with a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice required to become a RDN. Students gain practical experience in local facilities that support the development of professional skills in medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition and food service management. In addition, the program’s concentration in Advanced Nutrition Practice provides higher level coursework and experiences in:

• Treating patients with complex conditions, such as trauma, pediatric hospitalizations, renal failure with complications and nutrition support
• Planning, developing and implementing nutrition intervention programs
• Developing and managing a nutrition business
• Planning and conducting research, including communicating findings of this research. Requirements for program completion include achieving a satisfactory grade in all required courses, completing capstone research, and passing a comprehensive examination.

Students who complete all requirements are awarded both a B.S. and a M.S. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the time of graduation and are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national credentialing examination to become a RDN. The Nutrition and Dietetics Program has been approved and registered by the New York State Education Department. In New York State, graduates who obtain the RDN credential are eligible to apply to receive the Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (CDN) credential. Each graduate receives a verification statement, which documents completion of all academic, supervised practice and degree requirements for the Coordinated Program and D’Youville University.

Accreditation

The Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND® can be contacted by:

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

Mission Statement

Recognizing the role of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as the nutrition expert and the key role that nutrition plays in health and well-being, the Coordinated Program strives to serve the community by providing students with the knowledge, skills and experience to meet the challenges of the diverse and changing fields of dietetics. Our intent is to prepare entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who will become leaders in their fields and fulfill prominent and varied professional roles.

The Coordinated Program supports the principles of academic excellence, service to others, and lifelong learning by fostering the student's professional and personal growth within a broad range of educational and practical experience.

Program Goals and Outcome Measures

Goal 1

Prepare graduates who are competent for entry-level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists and obtain employment in a variety of nutrition and dietetics-related positions.
Outcome Measures:

• Graduate satisfaction with curriculum
• Employer satisfaction with graduates
• Student completion of program
• Pass rate on RDN exam
• Employment of graduates

Goal 2

Prepare graduates who demonstrate a commitment to professional growth, lifelong learning and service to the profession and community.

Outcome Measures:

• Graduate participation in professional organizations
• Graduate participation in community service

Outcome data are available on request.

Course Requirements for the Program

In the Specific Area of Concentration

In Other Academic Areas Required for this Program

NOTE: These courses meet the knowledge and competencies established by the accreditation standards for entry-level education programs set by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) and are subject to change.

The 5 year B.S./M.S. curriculum is composed of two phases which extend across five years. The pre-professional phase includes the first three years of study which is comprised of the prerequisites, liberal arts and science curriculum, and didactic preparation for future supervised practice experiences. The ACEND® accredited Coordinated Program professional phase begins the fall after the third year. The Coordinated Program includes continued didactic preparation, all supervised practice experiences meeting ACEND requirements for hours (1,000 minimum), graduate level coursework and research requirement. Students who do not meet the program’s academic and/or professional standards in the pre-professional phase will not be permitted to progress to the Coordinated Program. In addition to general university policies and regulations which apply to all students, academic regulations of the Dietetics Department are applicable to all students regardless of full-time or part-time status.

Academic Policy- BS/MS Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program Pre-Professional Phase

Academic Policy- BS/MS Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program Professional Phase 

Admission requirements reflect the structure of the program as a five-year B.S./M.S. degree.  All applicants receive a holistic review of admission materials.  Applicants are admitted on a competitive, space-available basis, based on the requirements noted below. Maximum accreditation class size limit is thirty (30) students per cohort.

Applicants should review the D’Youville Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and other health requirements. Students enrolled in the Coordinated Program must provide evidence of annual physical examination, immunizations, and vaccinations as required by the program and supervised practice facilities. Students must meet program and supervised practice facility health requirements, otherwise students may not be able to complete D’Youville’s Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program.

1. First time in college freshman applying for admission into the pre-professional phase of the dietetics program requirements

• Official high school transcripts;
• High school average of at least 80 percent or 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;
• Successful completion of the following high school courses: three years of math, history, English and one year of biology/living environment and one year of chemistry.

While we don't require you to submit ACT or SAT test scores, if you have taken or intend to take a standardized test we encourage you to submit your scores if you'd like the scores to be evaluated as part of your application.

2. Transfer students applying for admission into the pre-professional phase of the dietetics program requirements 

• Official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges/universities
• Minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required to be accepted into years one , two and three of the program.
• Minimum of a C (2.0) grade in all pre-requisite courses that will be applied to the nutrition and dietetics major completed at a previous institution.

While we don't require an admission essay or letters of recommendation, we will review these materials if provided.