Didactic Program
Didactic Program Pathway in Dietetics
The mission of the Didactic Program is to provide a quality undergraduate experience of education, research, and service using a comprehensive evidence-based program in food, nutrition, and management that will prepare students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a RDN.
The Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Program is approved 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.
Fast Facts
4
Years
Complete 4 years of undergraduate coursework to earn a BS in Dietetics
120
Credits
Complete 120 hours of dietetic program credits as you pursue your degree
125
Students
Our program is robust but still small enough to form a tight knit community
Program Information
Our Didactic Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and consists of 4 years of undergraduate academic coursework needed to apply for a Dietetic Internship, which is a supervised practice experience. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and meet ACEND core knowledge requirements, receiving a verification statement. After completing the Didactic Program and an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship, students are eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national registry exam to earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.
Eligibility & Admission
Before taking courses at the 300-level or above, students must be admitted to the University of Kentucky and apply for and be admitted into upper-division of the Didactic Program. Students need a minimum 2.4 overall (cumulative) GPA and must also complete pre-dietetics courses with a minimum GPA of 2.8. If you transfer into the major from another university, you should plan to take a minimum of three semesters to complete all required coursework, assuming you have completed all pre-major requirements. Learn more about the process, materials and requirements to apply for the Didactic Program.
Goals and Objectives
- 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- 50% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
- 70% of program graduates will receive "satisfactory" ratings or higher in relation to their overall dietetics knowledge and skills as reported from supervised practice program director survey respondents while participating in a supervised practice program leading to eligibility for the CDDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
- 70% of program graduates will receive “satisfactory” ratings or higher in relation to their overall dietetics knowledge and skills as reported from graduate/professional-school professors or employer survey respondents.
- 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%.
- 50% of program graduates will report participating in service activities to benefit their community.
- Of the program graduates that participated in the DHN 374 research course, 75% will report “satisfactory” ratings or higher.
All program outcomes data are available on request from Dr. Julie Plasencia, Didactic Program Director.
- Of the program graduates completing the alumni survey, 60% will report “yes” regarding their perception of having a positive impact on the community, patients and employers through their work.
- Of the supervised practice program director survey respondents and employer survey respondents, 70% will report “yes” regarding their perception of the program graduate having a positive impact on the community, patients and employers through their work.
- Of the students completing the exit survey, 70% will report “satisfactory” ratings or higher regarding their perceived ability to perform successfully in a supervised practice program, entry-level nutrition-related position, graduate program, or a pre-professional program.
- At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
All program outcomes data are available on request from Dr. Julie Plasencia, Didactic Program Director.
- Earning the RDN Credential
- Program Fees
After successful completion of in the Didactic Program Pathway and a dietetic internship, students receive signed ACEND verification forms that confirm eligibility to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national registry exam to earn the RDN credential. Students/interns will need to have a master's degree in order to take the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist after January 1, 2024. For more information about becoming a RDN and careers in Nutrition and Dietetics, explore the RDN Fact Sheet from ACEND.
Some states require persons working or engaging in any type of dietetics or nutrition practices to be licensed, certified or registered in the state. Students interested in working in dietetics and or nutrition in another state should learn more about whether their program and the RDN credential will lead to licensure, certification, registration, etc. in each state.
RDN Fact Sheet
Out of State Educational Activities
Dietetics RDN Disclosures 2020-2021
Visit https://www.uky.edu/financialaid/tuition-and-fees for more information on estimated program fees.
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Connect with Us
Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
204 Funkhouser Building
Lexington, KY 40506
859-257-3800
