Didactic Program in Dietetics

Undergraduate Certificate

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Quick Facts

Credits Required: 23

Cost Per Credit: $500.00

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College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences

Program Details

Take an important step towards becoming a credentialed dietetics professional and learn to translate the science of nutrition into practical applications for individuals and groups in clinical and community settings. Through this program, you will build a strong foundation in biological and chemical sciences with courses emphasizing the application of nutrition and dietetics practice. You will also develop the ability to actively contribute to the fields of nutritional sciences and dietetics through research, practice and leadership.

This certificate allows you to earn a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement without enrolling in a full degree program. Possession of a DPD Verification Statement establishes your eligibility to sit for the Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) examination to earn the NDTR credential. Obtaining your DPD is also an important step toward sitting for the exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Possession of a DPD signifies eligibility to move forward in the process of earning the RDN credential. After completing this certificate program, you will be eligible to apply for ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs through a competitive admissions process.

You must hold a bachelor's degree to be eligible to complete this certificate. If you are interested in completing a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) but do not already hold a bachelor's degree, please visit our online BS in Nutritional Sciences Dietetics Emphasis, which also allows you to earn a DPD Verification Statement.

View detailed program information

Completion of this certificate does not result in a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. In order to sit for the Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, you must complete an ACEND accredited supervised practice program.

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) has changed the degree requirement for dietitian registration eligibility from a Bachelor's degree to a Master's degree (in any field) in addition to the current requirement of a verification statement from an ACEND accredited dietetics program. Arizona Online offers a PSM in Applied Nutrition.

Coursework for this certificate is offered 100% online, however, students will be required to fulfill some hours working onsite in their community.

*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.

Courses

To earn the DPD Verification Statement at the University of Arizona, students must complete a minimum of 88 credits, including 10 supporting sciences (34 units) and 11 supporting nutrition courses (23 units). 65 of these 88 credits may transfer from an outside institution. In order to earn this certificate, the remaining 23 credits (8 core NSC courses) must be taken through the University of Arizona.

Listed here are the 8 non-transferrable, required courses. While NSC 308 and NSC 408 are both required for the DPD verification statement, only one of the two must be completed at the University of Arizona.

This course is an introduction to nutritional sciences and the integration of the effects of nutrients and nutritional status of metabolic and physiological functions at the cellular, tissue, organ and system level in humans as related to health and disease.

This course will provide the foundations for applying medical nutrition therapy through the nutrition care process. The application of basic nutrition science principles in the selection of the basic appropriate medical nutrition therapies related to the nutrition care process in obesity and enteral and parenteral nutrition will also be investigated.

This lab provides students hands-on experience with a physical and diagnostic assessment of health status. Novice skills will be developed regarding performing a nutrition-focused physical examination, obtaining vital skills, measurement and interpretation of anthropometric measurements.

Cover the structure and function of nutrients, digestion and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals; energy and maintenance of cellular functions; nutritional ecology of monogastrics and ruminants; elements of gene regulation; nutritional and hormonal influences on gene expression.

This class, the second in the clinical nutrition series, will build upon the Foundations in Medical Nutrition Therapy (NSC 325) course. The application of basic nutrition science principles in the selection of the appropriate medical nutrition therapies related to the nutrition care process and cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, and gastrointestinal disorders will be investigated.

This class, the last in the clinical nutrition series, will build upon the knowledge and skills related to the nutrition care process obtained in the Medical Nutrition Therapy I (NSC 425) course. The application of basic nutrition science principles in the selection of the appropriate medical nutrition therapies related to the nutrition care process and renal, neurology, cancer, hypermetabolism/critical care, and immune disorders will be investigated.

This course is an in-depth look at how the RD/nutritionist works in the community, by providing hands-on experience in teaching nutrition in a community setting. The course will cover areas such as determining needs for nutrition education, public policy, various nutrition programs, funding and grant writing, and communication skills needed for various audiences.

This course covers organization and management of foodservice systems; responsibilities of management for leadership, sanitation, maintenance, and care of food service plant and its equipment.

The purpose of this course is to prepare senior Dietetic majors for the Dietetic Internship. Students will learn about the Dietetic Internship application process and what to expect during the supervised practice experience.