Becoming a Registered Dietitian
In order to become a registered dietitian (RD), students must go through the processes described below.
Complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
Students will complete undergraduate course work in a program accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The Brooklyn College DPD is an accredited program.
The requirements of the Health and Nutrition Sciences-Foods and Nutrition Concentration meet the standards set by ACEND. Students who have undergraduate degrees in other fields may need to complete additional courses to meet these standards through post-baccalaureate study.
After completion of the program, students are issued a "verification statement" by the DPD director. The verification statement confirms that students have fulfilled all the course work required by the ACEND and are therefore eligible to apply to a dietetic internship to continue the process needed to become an RD.
Complete a Dietetic Internship
Students who have graduated from an accredited DPD complete a supervised practice experience called a dietetic internship (DI). The DI is a 1,200-hour supervised practice program and is sometimes offered in conjunction with a graduate program. The Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences offers a DI as part of its master of science in nutrition.
Take the Registered Dietitian Exam
After completing the supervised practice experience (DI), students are then eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
