Navigating the (MANY) Pathways to Become an RDN or NDTR

By DaVianna Robinson, MS, Diversify Dietetics Intern

Do you want to become an RDN or NDTR, but don’t know where to start? There are so many different pathways and/or steps you can take to get there, and it may seem overwhelming. Don’t worry! We will walk you through the various ways to get on track to becoming an RDN. 

** There are A LOT of acronyms on this journey. Check out our glossary below this post to learn what each one means.  Some of it’s a little repetitive, but trust us, it helps to understand this whole process.** 


To become an RDN, the requirements are:

  • Complete a DPD program

  • Receive a verification statement that has been signed by a DPD director stating you have successfully completed all DPD coursework. 

  • Obtain a bachelor's degree

  • Obtain a master’s degree

  • Complete a supervised practice of 1,000 hours

  • Sit for and pass the RDN Credential Exam


ACEND is the accrediting agency that approves programs that contain specific curriculum that prepares students for a professional career as an RDN. The different accredited program descriptions are

  1. Didactic Programs in Dietetics- DPD

    Bachelor's and graduate-level — dietitian coursework only (must be completed before the Dietetic Internship required for RDN eligibility). You will receive a verification statement at the completion of a DPD program. 

  2. Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics- GP (formerly called Future Education Model or FEM)

    A graduate-level, competency-based program that integrates coursework and at least 1,000 hours of experiential learning for RDN eligibility. These programs may also include DPD coursework. If the GP does not include the DPD coursework, you will need to complete a DPD program and receive a verification statement as a requirement to apply.

  3. Coordinated Programs in Dietetics- CP

    Similar to a GP, this is a graduate-level program where you will complete both a graduate degree and at least 1000 hours of supervised practice. Also, like a GP, some of these programs include DPD coursework, but if it does not, then you will need to complete a DPD program and receive a verification statement before starting a coordinated program. 

PLUS

  1. Dietetic Internships- DI

    Post bachelor's or graduate level — at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice for RDN eligibility (must complete DPD and at least a bachelor's degree before entry). Some programs offer a graduate degree in conjunction with supervised practice. (Please note: all stand-alone internships are now required to be affiliated with an accredited university. This does NOT mean that they will provide you with DPD coursework.)

~ The directory to all programs currently accredited by ACEND can be found at this link: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/program-directory ~


DPD Programs provide you with dietitian coursework needed before completing a dietetic internship. They can be broken into 3 categories:

  • Post Baccalaureate program

  • Undergraduate program

  • Graduate program

Pre-requisites to apply for a graduate or post-baccalaureate DPD program can be taken at a community college or at a four-year college or university. The courses may vary but will likely include human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, chemistry fundamentals, organic chemistry, statistics, psychology, and sociology.

Some CPs contain all coursework that a DPD does, with the addition of your 1,000 supervised practice hours/dietetic internship). Some graduate programs will allow you to apply without a DPD verification statement, because they have integrated the DPD coursework into their program for you.

Where are you in the process?

I do not yet have an undergraduate degree.

The options are:

  1. Complete an ACEND-accredited undergraduate DPD program. Then you can either: 

    1. Apply to graduate school, then go for a stand-alone DI

      OR

    2. Attend a GP or CP 

      This option is the most straightforward if you have never pursued an undergraduate degree or if you’re currently in undergrad and can change your major without extending your graduate date too far out. 

  2. Undergraduate CP dietetics. This will provide you with the dietitian coursework AS WELL AS the 1,000 supervised hours. You may need a verification at the end of this program. Then you could pursue a graduate degree, and then sit for the RDN exam. Note: many undergraduate CP programs have now been changed to GPs since the requirement now to become a dietitian requires a graduate degree.

  3. Complete an undergraduate degree outside of dietetics if you have other interests you would like to explore. You could then go for a GP that doesn't require a verification statement because you would get the DPD requirements as a part of the GP. Just make sure you get the GP prerequisites while you’re in an undergraduate program to save time and money. This may be a good option if you are already in college and are too far along to change your major to nutrition. 

I am currently in school to complete my undergraduate degree.

The options are:

  1. Speak with your school advisor to talk through if it is possible to change your major to a dietetics route if your college or university has an ACEND-accredited undergraduate program there. Also, if you don’t mind transferring schools,  check to see if there’s another school that you can attend that has an ACEND-accredited program. 

  2. If you are a junior or senior, it may be best to finish completing your current degree, and then look into graduate CPs or GPs. (You will have to get the grad degree anyway!) You may also use your elective courses to take prerequisite courses needed for entry to a DPD program. Note: If you are currently in a science-based major, you have likely completed some of the prerequisites for a DPD.

I have an undergraduate degree NOT in nutrition and dietetics.

The options are: 

  1. We STRONGLY recommend NOT pursuing a second undergraduate degree just to complete your DPD requirement. You’ve already earned a bachelor’s- no need to do that again! 

  2. You can apply for a graduate CP or GP to earn your Master’s AND supervised hours!

I have both an undergraduate and graduate degree NOT in nutrition and dietetics.

The options are:

  1. Have no fear, there is still a way! You can complete your dietitian coursework in a post-baccalaureate DPD ONLY program! You’ll earn a verification statement and can then apply to a stand-alone DI program. 


I have completed my DPD coursework and received my verification statement BUT I would like to take some time off before completing my DI and/or Master’s. 

OR

I no longer wish to become an RDN but have completed my DPD coursework and received my verification statement.

The options are:

  1. Anyone who has their DPD program and bachelor’s degree completed may sit for the NDTR exam and work as an NDTR upon passing the exam. NDTRs are healthcare professionals who bridge the gap between foodservice and clinical nutrition care for patients. There are multiple different settings you can work in as an NDTR! It can be a stepping stone to becoming an RDN as well as a career.

Glossary

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - AND: The largest professional organization of food and nutrition professionals. Also the umbrella organization of ACEND and CDR. 

  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics - ACEND**: The accreditation agency for NDTR and RDN programs. ACEND is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. 

  • Commission on Dietetic Registration- CDR: This is the agency that sets the standards for who can sit for an NDTR exam or RDN exam. NDTRs and RDNs maintain their credentials based on the requirements of CDR.

  • Accreditation Council of Nutrition and Dietetics- ACEND: The accrediting agency for education programs for NDTRs and RDNs. ACEND enforces the rules set by CDR, and also follows the rules set by the U.S. Department of Education. ACEND does this by making sure all accredited programs follow a long list of standards to maintain program quality and ensure that students are prepared for the next step in their education journey and careers. ACEND maintains a directory of all accredited programs. 

  • Registered Dietitian - RDN: The credential earned after completing all of the requirements set out by CDR. You can only sit for the RDN exam if you have followed the CDR-approved educational and training pathway. 

  • Didactic Programs in Dietetics - DPD: This is the program that you take to get the basic knowledge in dietetics- emphasis on knowledge. You’ll take courses like Medical Nutrition Therapy (a.k.a, MNT), Chemistry, Food Service Management, etc). These programs are at least a year long. As listed above, you can take a DPD program at either the bachelor’s or graduate level, depending on the program. 

  • Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics - GP (Formerly known as Future Education Models - FEM): This is a graduate-level program where you are taught your didactic (a.k.a. Grad school classes) coursework at the same time that you are taking supervised experiential learning (i.e. internship rotations). That means that for instance,  if you’re taking a Food Management class, you’ll also be going to your Food Service Management rotation at a hospital foodservice department.  You usually do not need a DPD verification to enter this kind of program (but be sure to check with each program to be sure). 

  • Coordinated Program in Dietetics - CP: A program that combines didactic coursework (usually at master’s degree level coursework) with the supervised practice/dietetic internship program. This is different from a GP in that the coursework may or may not be taught at the same time as supervised practice experience. 

  • Dietetic Internships/Supervised Practice - DI: This is the supervised practice program where you take what you learn in a DPD program and apply it in practice- so emphasis on practice here. These programs include at least 1000 hours of supervised practice, and may or may not be incorporated into a graduate program. NOTE: You must complete a DPD program before you can begin a DI program. 

  • Dietetic Technician Registered - DTR: An NDTR is a professional credential issued by CDR after the successful completion of a DPD program and passing the NDTR exam. NDTRs work independently as team members under the supervision of RDNs. Anyone who completes a DPD program can sit for the NDTR exam.

  • Verification Statement: The document you receive after completing a DPD program. This basically shows that you have the didactic (i.e., classroom) knowledge to go into a supervised practice/dietetic internship program.

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