Didactic Program in Dietetics (Graduate Certificate)

Didactic Program in Dietetics (Graduate Certificate)

Why get a graduate certificate in a didactic program in dietetics ?

The path to becoming a registered dietitian includes earning a bachelor’s degree, completing an accredited didactic program in dietetics, completing an accredited dietetic internship, and passing the National Registered Dietitian Exam. The UNH DPD graduate certificate is designed for individuals with an existing bachelor’s degree who are now interested in earning a DPD verification statement, as required to enter a dietetic internship. You’ll study nutritional biochemistry, community nutrition, clinical nutrition and medical nutrition therapy, and participate in a supervised practicum. Our curriculum also explores critical issues in nutrition and prepares students to navigate and complete the online dietetic internship application.

Why choose the didactic program in dietetics at UNH?

The DPD program at UNH is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)and all coursework is designed to meet the ACEND required knowledge. You’ll be provided within-class learning and hands-on clinical and simulation experiences. After all prerequisites are completed, the DPD graduate certificate can be completed in two semesters.Approximately 70-80% of our graduating students who apply for dietetic internships are matched to an internship during their final semester.

Potential career areas

  • Clinical dietetics
  • Community nutrition
  • Foodservice
  • Nutrition education
  • Public health
  • Research
  • Sales and promotion
  • School nutrition
  • Sports nutrition
Contact

Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics
CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Phone: (603) 862-4524
Office: Agriculture, Nutrition, & Food Systems, Kendall Hall Rm 119, Durham, NH 03824
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Curriculum & Requirements

The Didactic Program in Dietetics Certificate is a two semester program that prepares students to enter a dietetic internship.  This certificate program is designed for students who previously received a bachelor’s degree and are seeking a Verification Statement, which is the documentation required to enter a dietetic internship.  Eligibility criteria include a previous bachelor’s degree (in any field) and successful completion of the prerequisite courses.  

The path to becoming a registered dietitian includes earning a bachelor’s degree (in any field), completing an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (this may be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level), completing an accredited Dietetic Internship, and passing the National Registered Dietitian Exam.  The University of New Hampshire’s DPD curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  Coursework includes a variety of science and professional courses that meet the ACEND required knowledge.  Course instructors incorporate a variety of educational techniques including in-class learning and hands on clinical and simulation experiences.  Approximately 70-80% of our graduating students who apply for dietetic internships are matched to an internship during their final semester.   

Admission Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree with GPA > 3.0
  2. Completion of prerequisite courses within the past 10 years with a combined GPA > 3.2
  3. Earned > B in the introductory nutrition course (NUTR 400 Nutrition in Health and Well Being or equivalent)
  4. Earned > C+ in the Anatomy and Physiology I or Chemistry I course (BMS 507 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or CHEM 403 General Chemistry I or approved equivalent)

Prerequisite Courses at UNH (or approved equivalent from outside institution): 

DPD Professional Courses
ENGL 401First-Year Writing4
HMP 401United States Health Care Systems4
NUTR 400Nutrition in Health and Well Being4
NUTR 403Culinary Arts Skills Development4
NUTR 476Nutritional Assessment4
NUTR 504Managerial Skills in Dietetics4
NUTR 550Food Science: Principle and Practice4
NUTR 610Nutrition Education and Counseling4
NUTR 650Life Cycle Nutrition4
PSYC 402Statistics in Psychology4
or SOC 402 Statistics
SOC 400Introductory Sociology4
or PSYC 401 Introduction to Psychology
DPD Science Courses
BMCB 658General Biochemistry3
BMS 501Microbes in Human Disease4
BMS 507Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BMS 508Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
CHEM 403General Chemistry I4
CHEM 404General Chemistry II4
CHEM 545Organic Chemistry3
CHEM 546Organic Chemistry Laboratory2

Prerequisite Courses at UNH (or approved equivalent from outside institution): DPD Science Courses

All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the past 10 years at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.  

The Didactic Program in Dietetics Certificate is a two semester, 21-credit program that prepares students to enter a dietetic internship.

Certificate Program Coursework:

NUTR 800Career Development in Dietetics1
NUTR 820Community Nutrition (May be taken fall or spring)4
NUTR 850Nutritional Biochemistry4
NUTR 875Practical Applications in Medical Nutrition Therapy4
NUTR 873Clinical Nutrition4
NUTR 880Critical Issues in Nutrition4
Total Credits21

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: July 1
  • Spring: Dec. 1
  • Summer: May 1
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $25

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement of personal interest and career goals.

Statements must be included with your submitted application.

Resume

A current resume is required with your submitted application.

Additional Department Requirements

In addition the department requires a bachelor’s degree with GPA > 3.0; completion of prerequisite courses within the past 10 years with a combined GPA > 3.2; earned > B in the introductory nutrition course (NUTR 400 or equivalent); earned > C+ in the Anatomy and Physiology I or Chemistry I course (BMS 507 or Chem 403 or approved equivalent). 

Applicants also need to submit the Didactic Program in Dietetics Certificate Prerequisite Course Verification Form with corresponding grades and calculated DPD GPA directly to the UNH Graduate School admissions office so that it can be added to their application. For more information, please contact the department directly.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

Explore Program Details

Accreditation Information

The UNH Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The United States Department of Education recognizes ACEND as an accrediting body.

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

Date of next review: Fall 2019

The UNH Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The United States Department of Education recognizes ACEND as an accrediting body.

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

Date of next review: Fall 2019

The UNH Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The United States Department of Education recognizes ACEND as an accrediting body.

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

Date of next review: Fall 2019

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