Didactic Program in Dietetics (Graduate Certificate)

https://colsa.unh.edu/agriculture-nutrition-food-systems/program/certificate/didactic-program-dietetics

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Certificate is a two semester program that prepares students to enter a dietetic internship or a graduate program in nutrition and dietetics that requires a DPD Verification Statement. Eligibility criteria include a previous bachelor’s degree (in any field) and successful completion of the prerequisite courses.  

The University of New Hampshire’s DPD curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  Coursework includes a variety of science and professional courses that meet the ACEND required knowledge.  Course instructors incorporate a variety of educational techniques including in-class learning and hands on clinical and simulation experiences.  Approximately 95-100% of our graduating students who apply for dietetic internships are accepted to an internship during their final semester.   

Admission Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree with GPA > 3.0
  2. Completion of prerequisite courses within the past 10 years with a combined GPA > 3.2
  3. Earned > B in the introductory nutrition course (NUTR 400 Nutrition in Health and Well Being or equivalent)
  4. Earned > C+ in the Anatomy and Physiology I or Chemistry I course (BMS 507 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or CHEM 403 General Chemistry I or approved equivalent)

Prerequisite Courses at UNH (or approved equivalent from outside institution): 

DPD Professional Courses
ENGL 401First-Year Writing4
HMP 401United States Health Care Systems4
NUTR 400Nutrition in Health and Well Being4
NUTR 403Culinary Arts Skills Development4
NUTR 476Nutritional Assessment4
NUTR 504Managerial Skills in Dietetics4
NUTR 550Food Science: Principle and Practice4
NUTR 610Nutrition Education and Counseling4
NUTR 650Life Cycle Nutrition4
PSYC 402Statistics in Psychology4
or SOC 402 Statistics
SOC 400Introductory Sociology4
or PSYC 401 Introduction to Psychology
DPD Science Courses
BMCB 658General Biochemistry3
BMS 501Microbes in Human Disease4
BMS 507Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BMS 508Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
CHEM 403General Chemistry I4
CHEM 404General Chemistry II4
CHEM 545Organic Chemistry3
CHEM 546Organic Chemistry Laboratory2

Prerequisite Courses at UNH (or approved equivalent from outside institution): DPD Science Courses

All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the past 10 years at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.  

The Didactic Program in Dietetics Certificate is a two semester, 21-credit program that prepares students to enter a dietetic internship.

Certificate Program Coursework:

NUTR 800Career Development in Dietetics1
NUTR 820Community Nutrition (May be taken fall or spring)4
NUTR 850Nutritional Biochemistry4
NUTR 875Practical Applications in Medical Nutrition Therapy4
NUTR 873Clinical Nutrition4
NUTR 880Critical Issues in Nutrition4
Total Credits21