Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Requirements:
For those students interested in the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential, specific course work is required to meet the additional education competencies of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association). The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics program is currently granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE).
After completion of all courses and per verification statement policy, students are eligible for an ACEND dietetic internship. This consists of 1000 hours* of supervised practice (internship) and is required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration in order to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians and attain the RDN credential.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACEND has temporarily reduced the minimum number of required supervised practice hours to no less than 1000
to no less than 1000 hours through June 30, 2022.
Additional requirements beyond those of the nutrition and dietetics major include:
Verification Statement Policy for Didactic Program in Dietetics:
Completion of the requirements for the Dominican University Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) will be verified by the student advisor and DPD program director prior to issuing Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics verification statements. All of the following requirements must be met:
- Meet nutrition and dietetics major or certificate requirements
- Minimum of B- letter grade in all nutrition department classes. Students who receive a grade lower than B- in these classes will be asked to retake the course in order to earn a B- or higher.
- Minimum of 30 hours of community or professional volunteer service in a nutrition science major area.