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Curriculum
Program Requirements
A student majoring in Dietetics, who is also a candidate for a baccalaureate degree must have completed all the course requirements for that particular degree and must earn 123 semester hours of college work with an overall grade point average (G.P.A.) of not less than 2.0. The grade point average in the Dietetics major field must be at least 2.25 (although a G.P.A. of 3.0 or greater is recommended). Students whose semester G.P.A. falls below 2.0 but whose cumulative G.P.A. is above 2.0 will receive a letter of concern from their Academic Advising unit inviting them to review their academic performance and outlining available support services.
Institutional Core Requirements
| Course Number and Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| COM 101 Human Communication | 3 |
| ENG 101 Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 Composition II | 3 |
| Math 208 Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Religion Course | 3 |
| Aesthetics -Any two approved courses | 6 |
| Humanities -Any two approved courses | 6 |
| Natural Sciences -Any two approved courses (BIO 201 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life) (CHEM 103 General Chemistry) |
8 |
| Social Sciences-Any two approved courses (PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology) |
6 |
| Historical Reasoning -Any approved course | 3 |
| Cultural Requirements | 3 |
| Total Institutional Core Requirements | 47 hr. |
Dietetics Course Requirements 2021
| Course Number and Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| DIET 130 Principles of Food and Meal Preparation | 3 |
| DIET 210 Introduction to Dietetics | 2 |
| DIET 213 Society’s Influence on Body Image and Eating | 3 |
| DIET 230 Food Science & Applications | 3 |
| DIET 320 Human Nutrition | 3 |
| DIET 330 Nutrition Counseling Skills | 3 |
| DIET 360 Lifecycle Nutrition | 3 |
| DIET 370 Community Nutrition | 3 |
| DIET 385 Advanced Nutrition | 3 |
| DIET 395 Vitamins and Minerals | 3 |
| DIET 400 Nutrition & Disease I | 3 |
| DIET 425 Nutrition & Disease II | 3 |
| BIO 201 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life | (4)** |
| BIO 222 H.S. Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 223 H.S. Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 340 Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 103 General Chemistry | (4)** |
| CHEM 104 General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 307 Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 307L Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| CHEM 429 Biochemistry | 3 |
| EXS 309 Exercise Physiology or EXS 474 Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| HS 360 Research in Health Sciences | 3 |
| HSM 250 Food and Beverage Operation Management | 3 |
| HSM 335 Environmental Management | 3 |
| HSM 336 Food Production I | 3 |
| MATH 208 Elementary Statistics | (3)** |
| MGT 240 Introduction to Management | 3 |
| PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology | (3)** |
| Total Dietetics Course Requirements | 76 (87) hrs. |
| Institutional Core Requirements | 47 hrs. |
| Total Credits for a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree | 123 hrs. |
**Credits hours in parentheses indicate courses that meet both institutional requirements for all students, as well as requirements of the Dietetics major
If GPA graduation requirements are met a student will receive a verification statement from the Ashland University Dietetics program.
Completing Your Degree
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:
- Completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, such as the Ashland University Dietetics Program.
- Completed an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
- Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website at www.cdrnet.org.
- Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These are awarded through CDR, the credentialing agency for the Academy, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required. Some of the certifications include pediatric or renal nutrition, sports dietetics, nutrition support and diabetes education.
Per ACEND and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics the Dietetic Internship Match is a computer-based method which provides an orderly and fair way to match the preferences of applicants for Dietetic Internships (DIs) with the preferences of DI program directors. The Academy contracts with a company called D&D Digital to operate the DI Match and help applicants obtain an Internship (supervised practice position). The information on the DI match process may be found on the ACEND website and is available at https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students. Information about different supervised practice programs is updated regularly by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and can be accessed from the Academy web site. The information on Supervised Practice Programs is listed under Accredited Education Programs and is available at http://www.eatright.org/. This information is consistent with what is stated in the AU Dietetic Student handbook.
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 Nutrition and Dietetics at Ashland University 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.
Learn more about exams to further your career:
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN.
Goals & Objectives
The Ashland University Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics’ (AU DPD) mission is to provide the foundational knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to encourage the development of ethical behavior, intellectual growth, critical thought, communication and problem solving skills, in preparations for entry into post-baccalaureate supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, professional employment, and/or graduate school, as well as developing students to become contributing members of the scientific/professional community.
Program Goal 1: The AU DPD will prepare, assist, and encourage program graduates to seek admittance into an ACEND accredited supervised practice program, professional employment, or graduate school.
Objective 1.1: Sixty percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 1.2: Fifty percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 1.3: Fifty percent or more of AU DPD graduates not going into a supervised practice program, employed or seeking employment, will report pursuing an advanced degree.
Program Goal 2: The AU DPD will prepare graduates to become competent entry-level dietitians through completion of the dietetics program which further leads to completion of a supervised practice program, passing of the RDN exam, and employment in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Objective 2.1: The AU DPD one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Objective 2.2: At least 80% of AU DPD graduates will receive satisfactory or higher ratings regarding preparation for supervised practice on the supervised practice program director’s satisfaction survey.
Objective 2.3: Seventy-five percent or more of AU DPD graduates who complete a supervised practice program will be employed in dietetics within 12 months.
Objective 2.4: At least 80% of AU DPD students complete program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
Blog
5 Quick Tips to Stock a Healthy Kitchen
Produce: Try eating local fruits and vegetables as often as possible. It is important to eat vegetables and fruits that are a variety of colors because each pigment has its own unique blend of nutrients.
Grains: When buying grains, try purchasing whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice over white rice. Protein: Purchase leaner protein options such as turkey, fresh fish, or eggs. Beans and nuts also are good sources of protein. When eating nuts, it is important to pay attention to the serving size because they are high in calories.Fats and Oils: Using liquid oils such as canola, soybean, or olive oil when cooking is a healthier option than using solid fats. Other Essentials: Try adding herbs and extra virgin olive oil to your kitchen because high-quality basics can add flavor to any recipe. Although these ingredients are healthier than the alternative, it is important to remember that balance is key and all food groups should be in a meal for optimal nutrition benefits.Source: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/recipes-2/
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Keeping Dairy Products Safe
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Beginner's Guide to Running Your Personal Best
Energy
Trying to calculate the right amount of calories you need when starting a new training program can be hard. If you add too few calories it can be hard to have the energy to workout due to not having enough energy stored. However, if you add too many calories that you do not cancel out with exercise it can lead to weight gain and put you at greater risk for injury. Due to it being hard finding the right amount of calories for an individual for every mile you run add an additional 100 calories to your normal daily food intake.
Training Nutrition
Carbohydrates, fats, and protein are all fuel sources used for running. The fuel sources our body uses depend on gender, diet, fitness level, intensity, and duration of the workout. A high carbohydrate diet is what our body uses as a source when working out and if a high carbohydrate diet is not used our bodies will not have a good energy source. When looking at carbohydrates, pick the ones that are whole grains, fruits, and vegetables due to them containing higher vitamins and minerals and having a compound called phytonutrients.
If going for a long run, it is recommended to eat healthy unsaturated fats such as soy foods, nuts, omega-3s, and trans-fat-free unprocessed baked goods. Unsaturated fat foods are peanuts, olives, and...Read more
Vietnamese-Style Turkey Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Nutrition FactsCalories: 231; Total Fat: 13g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 91mg; Sodium: 92mg; Total Carbohydrate: 4g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 2g; Protein: 24g; Potassium: 370mg; Phosphorus: 278mg Source: https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/recipes/vietnamese-style...
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