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Nutrition, B.S.Nutr. - Didactic Program

Program Description

Overview

The Didactic Program in Nutrition leads to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nutrition degree. This major opens many career avenues in clinical, community, food service, and private practice nutrition. This major also prepares students for a wide variety of other career areas such as public health, business, and research. Successful Nutrition students have an aptitude for biology and chemistry, maintain a persistent work ethic, enjoy food and working in foodservice careers, and, like all health care-related fields, have a strong passion for improving the lives of others. 

The Didactic Program is also a pathway to La Salle’s Master’s Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice, which when completed qualifies students to sit for the Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam. Select freshmen may be admitted directly into the 5-year* accelerated BS to MS Coordinated Program upon acceptance into La Salle’s Nutrition program.  

*Note: This 5-year accelerated option is only available to students who enter and begin their Nutrition degree as freshmen and maintain the rigorous requirements/standards throughout their coursework at La Salle. Other students may complete this Master’s Coordinated Program, but it may take longer than 5 total years. More information can be found in the Didactic Program Student Handbook. 

Accreditation

The Didactic Program in Nutrition at La Salle University is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The address for the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is:  

Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)  

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics  

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190  

Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995  

Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400 

Website:   https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Students who complete their Nutrition degree at La Salle may be eligible to receive a Verification Statement, one of the necessary steps in the pursuing the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential

Mission

The Mission of the La Salle University Didactic Program in Nutrition/Bachelor of Science in Nutrition is to educate baccalaureate students in nutrition and health science, promote health and wellness, prevent nutrition-related disease, integrate research into practice, and enable graduates to enter nutrition and food related careers or pursue careers as Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTR)/Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTR) or Registered Dietitians (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN)*. 

*Note: Students who wish to pursue the RDN credential must complete an accredited coordinated program, dietetic internship, or other supervised practice program in addition to or concurrent with completion of the Didactic Program and a Baccalaureate degree. As of 1/1/2024, students will also be required to possess a Master’s Degree to take the qualifying examination for the RDN credential. Further information on eligibility requirements for becoming a RDN can be obtained at the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) web site at https://www.cdrnet.org/RDN 

Why Take This Major?

Students who choose this Nutrition major will be prepared to enter a wide variety of careers in the growing field of nutrition and wellness. The Didactic Program course work meets eligibility requirements for the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) credential and for application to Dietetic Internship programs that qualify the student for the Registered Dietitian (RD) exam. The Didactic Program is also a pathway to La Salle's Master's Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice.

Graduates also find careers in community nutrition, food and culinary service, hospitality and fitness settings, or continue on to graduate programs in other health professions.

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN)?

RDNs (also known as Registered Dietitians, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, or RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) criteria to earn the RDN credential. RDNs work in a wide variety of employment settings, including healthcare, business and industry, community and public health, education, research, government agencies, and private practice. 

How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist(RD/RDN)

Steps in the process for becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) include: 

1.  Complete a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree* granted by a US regionally accredited college/university (or foreign equivalent), complete the academic requirements of an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program, and receive a Verification Statement confirming completion of Didactic Program requirements. *Note: Effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degreehttps://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree ) will be required to be eligible to take the RDN examination. Students are able to achieve this graduate degree requirement through completing La Salle’s Master’s Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice.  

2.  Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, also known as a Dietetic Internship (DI), at a university, healthcare facility, community agency, or foodservice corporation. The supervised practice (experiential learning) requirements are incorporated within La Salle’s Master’s Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice.

3.  Pass a national examination ( https://www.cdrnet.org/RDExamOverview ) for RDNs administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).  

4.  Gain licensure* ( https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap ) in your state of practice, if applicable. *Note: Pennsylvania requires licensure through the PA State Board of Nursing ( https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/Licensed-Dietitian-Nutritionist-Licensure-Requirements-Snapshot.aspx ). 

5.  Maintain continuing education and required fees ( https://www.cdrnet.org/program-director/newly-credentialed-rds-dtr ) throughout career. 

Graduates of La Salle’s Didactic Program in Nutrition can receive a Verification Statement after verification of passing all required KRDNs (core Knowledge Requirements for the RDN) within the degree coursework. After receiving verification, students are eligible to apply for admission to Dietetic Internships or take the DTR/NDTR exam. 

Graduates of La Salle’s Master’s Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice can also receive eligibility to take the RDN exam after verification of passing all required CRDNs (Competency Requirements for the RDN) within the degree and coordinated internship program work. 

More details can be found in the Didactic Program Student Handbook. 

La Salle University’s Didactic Program Verification Statement Policy 

To receive a Verification Statement from La Salle University’s Didactic Program Director, students enrolled in the Didactic Program in Nutrition must:  

  1. Successfully complete all Didactic Program degree requirements and coursework. Required DP courses are described in the Didactic Program Student Handbook, listed in La Salle’s undergraduate course catalog, and discussed during student advising sessions.  

2. Demonstrate achievement of the Knowledge Requirements for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (KRDNs) within specific courses. All Didactic Program students must pass (earn a score of at least 70%) for the assignment (e.g., test question, exam, quiz, presentation, reflection, paper, activity, etc.) associated with each KRDN. More information can be found in the Didactic Program Student Handbook. 

  1. Provide an accurate, permanent physical and email address to La Salle University and the Didactic Program Director.  

Verification Statements are issues after the University has posted the final grades and indicated the bachelor’s degree was issues on the designated graduation day, and the Didactic Program Director verifies all KRDNs were met by the student. 

Students enrolled in La Salle’s Master’s Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice take a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses. In consultation with the Didactic Program Director, these students will receive a Verification Statement upon completion of the designated courses and achievement of KRDNs being met during the coursework.