Accelerated Coordinated Program
With this selective entry, accredited all-in-one program you will earn your B.S. and M.S., then complete the necessary supervised practice hours to become eligible to sit for the RD exam.
The mission of the Accelerated Coordinated Program (ACP) is to provide a combined quality undergraduate and graduate experience of education, leadership, service and supervised practice using a comprehensive evidence-based program in community, clinical and food service systems management to prepare master's-level dietetics students for success as entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists, which will allow them the ability to enhance the health and well-being of people and the environment in which they live.
The ACP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and consists of 2 years of undergraduate and graduate academic coursework and 7 months of supervised practice experience. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems, and a verification statement that allows them to be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national registry exam to earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. There is a selective admission process for this program with approximately 14 students admitted per class.
Fast Facts
3.5
Years
Undergraduate Coursework
1
Year
Graduate Coursework
7
Months
Supervised Practice
Program Information
Earning the RDN Credential
After successful completion of the Accelerated Coordinated Program, students earn a B.S. in Dietetics, an M.S. in Nutrition and Food Systems, and complete the required supervised practice to receive a signed ACEND verification form that confirms eligibility to sit for the CDR national registry exam to earn the RDN credential.
The following steps are all included in the UK ACP:
- Completion of the degree requirements for a B.S. in Dietetics and M.S. in Nutrition and Food Systems.
- Completion of an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community agency and a foodservice corporation. In the ACP, the supervised practice is connected to the B.S. in Dietetics and M.S. in Nutrition and Food Systems to 14 students each year through application and acceptance.
- Verification of Completion Statement. After successful completion of the ACP, a student will receive a Verification Statement of Completion that confirms the student has completed the ACP requirements and is eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam to earn credential of registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/RDN).
Note: Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor's degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement, visit the CDR website.
Licensing of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists
Most states require individuals working or engaging in any type of dietetics or nutrition practice to be licensed or certified in the state. Kentucky’s dietitians and nutritionists are under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists. Dietitians are licensed, while nutritionists are state-certified. A professional who qualifies for dietitian licensure also qualifies for nutritionist certification. However, the nutritionist credential can stand alone. Practitioners must hold state-issued credentials unless they fall under exemption categories described in the state statute. Once a UK ACP student has proof of successful completion of the CDR exam, they are qualified to apply for Licensure for Dietitians and Nutritionists in the state of Kentucky. Students interested in working in dietetics or nutrition in another state should learn more at UK and CDR about whether their program and the RDN credential will lead to licensure, certification, registration, etc.
Goals & Objectives
Goal 1: Prepare outstanding dietetics professionals for success in the dietetics field upon graduation.
- Objective 1: At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3.75 years (150% of the program length).
- Objective 2: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- Objective 3: At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- Objective 4: 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%.
- Objective 5: At least 80% of employers, over a five-year period who complete the employer survey, will rate ACP graduates at 3 or higher, on a 4-point scale, for preparedness in an entry-level position.
Annual program outcome data is available upon request.
Goal 2: Provide opportunities for ACP graduates to develop skills necessary to participate in and lead dietetics related services that will enhance the health and well-being of people and the environment in which they live.
- Objective 1: At least 80% of ACP graduate survey respondents will report being a member of a professional organization within 12 months of graduation.
- Objective 2: At least 50% of ACP graduate survey respondents will hold a leadership role in a community organization within 12 months of graduation.
Annual program outcome data is available upon request.
Eligibility & Admission
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics program at UK with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum major GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply for admission into the Accelerated Coordinated Program when they reach Year 3 of the program. Click the tab below to learn more about the process, materials, and requirements to apply for the Accelerated Coordinated Program.
Scholarships
The Breeding Smith Edge Fellowship is awarded annually to a Dietetics and Human Nutrition student in the Accelerated Coordinated Program. Students who receive this award have clearly demonstrated leadership skills and entrepreneurial potential.
Preparing to Apply
University Calendar
See the university's academic calendar for more information and deadlines.
See the CalendarCost of Attendance
For information on program-specific costs, see the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Learn MoreConnect With Us
Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
204 Funkhouser Building
Lexington, KY 40506
859-257-3800
dhn@uky.edu
The UK Accelerated Coordinated Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext 5400, https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.
Disclaimers: The UK Accelerated Coordinated Program does not accept prior learning experiences for supervised practice hours.
The ACP in Dietetics is accredited by ACEND as an in-person program. Therefore, all accepted students must complete coursework in person, unless a course is exclusively offered through distance learning. If an in-person option is available for a course, ACP Dietetics students are required to enroll in that section. Please note that DHN summer courses required for ACP Dietetics students in Year 3 and Year 4 are offered exclusively online.
