The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-0995. This option combines the theory presented in class with experience in health care settings under the supervision of faculty or other health professionals. Students are eligible to take the national examination to become Registered Dietitians after graduation. Students apply for admission to the Coordinated Program in the fall or spring semester of their junior year. Admission decisions are based on overall GPA, grades in relevant courses, score on the admission exam, work/volunteer/leadership experience, class attendance, professionalism, and letters of reference.
How to Become a Dietitian
How to Become a Dietitian
coordinated program in dietetics application materials
Application information for the new Coordinated Program at the graduate level will be available by December 1st here on our website.
The CPD is a 12- to 16-month program depending upon the semester the student is admitted to the program. Visit UA’s academic calendar and the CPD required courses in UA’s course catalog for more information. After completion of all academic coursework, award of a bachelor’s degree, completion of all supervised practice hours, and passing an exit exam for the CPD, the student is issued a verification statement, which allows them to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist registration exam.
For information regarding cost of the CPD, visit tuition, fees, room, and board estimates. For other CPD costs, visit the Coordinated Program in Dietetics Handbook.
For information on financial aid and scholarships, visit https://financialaid.ua.edu/ and https://scholarships.ua.edu/.
The CPD is a 12- to 16-month program depending upon the semester the student is admitted to the program. Visit UA’s academic calendar and the CPD required courses in UA’s course catalog for more information. After completion of all academic coursework, award of a bachelor’s degree, completion of all supervised practice hours, and passing an exit exam for the CPD, the student is issued a verification statement, which allows them to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist registration exam.
For information regarding cost of the CPD, visit tuition, fees, room, and board estimates. For other CPD costs, visit the Coordinated Program in Dietetics Handbook.
For information on financial aid and scholarships, visit https://financialaid.ua.edu/ and https://scholarships.ua.edu/.
Mission of the CPD
The mission of the Coordinated Programs in Dietetics is to prepare graduates to become entry-level Registered Dietitians Nutritionists.
Program goals and objectives
Program Goal 1
The program will produce entry-level graduates who are equally competent to work in the areas of clinical, management, and community nutrition practice.
Program Goal 2
The program will instill in all students the importance of continual learning after graduation and throughout their professional career.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require 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 CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program or the Graduate Dietitian Program (beginning in Fall 2022) at The University of Alabama are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.
The program will produce entry-level graduates who are equally competent to work in the areas of clinical, management, and community nutrition practice.
- 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitians nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- Over a 5-year period, 80% of program graduates will pass the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- Surveys of employers will show satisfaction with competence of graduates by rating their performance on average 3.5 on a scale from 1 to 5.
- Of graduates who seek employment, 85% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 80% of graduates complete program/degree requirements within 2 years.
Program Goal 2
The program will instill in all students the importance of continual learning after graduation and throughout their professional career.
- Two students in each graduating class will take advantage of the accelerated master's program(AMP) that allows early entry into graduate school.
- Eighty-five percent of graduates who are working as Registered Dietitians will participate in continuing educational activities within one year of program completion.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require 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 CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program or the Graduate Dietitian Program (beginning in Fall 2022) at The University of Alabama are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.