The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
The DPD prepares students to go on and become a Registered Dietitian. The University of Alabama’s DPD program is accredited by ACEND and this program prepares graduates to enter dietetic internships where they can apply the theories they learn as undergraduates in health care settings under the supervision of health professionals. Subsequently, upon successful competition of the DPD and Internship they are eligible to take the national examination in hopes of becoming Registered Dietitians.
CDR Master's degree requirement effective december 31, 2023
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 Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program at The University of Alabama are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
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.
How to become a dietitian
Requirements to practice as a Registered Dietitian in the state of Alabama
Program curriculum
Program accreditation
Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes
DPD Verification Statement
DPD Course List
Diet Technician, Registered (DTR)
Distance option
Food and Nutrition Student Handbook (2022-2023)
The DPD is a 4-year program leading to a bachelor's degree and a Verification Statement, if all requirements are met. The program length may vary for post-graduates and transfer students. Visit UA’s academic calendar and the DPD required courses in UA’s course catalog for more information.
After successful completion of all academic coursework for a Verification Statement and award of a bachelor's degree, the eligible DPD student is issued a Verification Statement, which allows the student to apply for a Dietetic Internship. Verification Statement eligibility requirements can be found here.
Dietetic Internship Q&A
Part I: Pre-DI Application Period
Part II: DI Application Period and Process
Part III: Post-Application Due Date and Second Round Matching
For information regarding cost of the DPD, visit tuition, fees, room, and board estimates. Distance learning tuition information can be found here. For other DPD costs, visit the Food and Nutrition Student Handbook.
For information on financial aid and scholarships, visit https://financialaid.ua.edu/ and https://scholarships.ua.edu/.
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.
How to become a dietitian
Requirements to practice as a Registered Dietitian in the state of Alabama
Program curriculum
Program accreditation
Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes
DPD Verification Statement
DPD Course List
Diet Technician, Registered (DTR)
Distance option
Food and Nutrition Student Handbook (2022-2023)
The DPD is a 4-year program leading to a bachelor's degree and a Verification Statement, if all requirements are met. The program length may vary for post-graduates and transfer students. Visit UA’s academic calendar and the DPD required courses in UA’s course catalog for more information.
After successful completion of all academic coursework for a Verification Statement and award of a bachelor's degree, the eligible DPD student is issued a Verification Statement, which allows the student to apply for a Dietetic Internship. Verification Statement eligibility requirements can be found here.
Dietetic Internship Q&A
Part I: Pre-DI Application Period
Part II: DI Application Period and Process
Part III: Post-Application Due Date and Second Round Matching
For information regarding cost of the DPD, visit tuition, fees, room, and board estimates. Distance learning tuition information can be found here. For other DPD costs, visit the Food and Nutrition Student Handbook.
For information on financial aid and scholarships, visit https://financialaid.ua.edu/ and https://scholarships.ua.edu/.