Didactic Program in Dietetics (Graduate Certificate)
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
- Bachelor’s degree with GPA > 3.0
- Completion of prerequisite courses within the past 10 years with a combined GPA > 3.2
- Earned > B in the introductory nutrition course (NUTR 400 Nutrition in Health and Well Being or equivalent)
- 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):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DPD Professional Courses | ||
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| HMP 401 | United States Health Care Systems | 4 |
| NUTR 400 | Nutrition in Health and Well Being | 4 |
| NUTR 403 | Culinary Arts Skills Development | 4 |
| NUTR 476 | Nutritional Assessment | 4 |
| NUTR 504 | Managerial Skills in Dietetics | 4 |
| NUTR 550 | Food Science: Principle and Practice | 4 |
| NUTR 610 | Nutrition Education and Counseling | 4 |
| NUTR 650 | Life Cycle Nutrition | 4 |
| PSYC 402 | Statistics in Psychology | 4 |
| or SOC 402 | Statistics | |
| SOC 400 | Introductory Sociology | 4 |
| or PSYC 401 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| DPD Science Courses | ||
| BMCB 658 | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| BMS 501 | Microbes in Human Disease | 4 |
| BMS 507 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 545 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 546 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUTR 800 | Career Development in Dietetics | 1 |
| NUTR 820 | Community Nutrition (May be taken fall or spring) | 4 |
| NUTR 850 | Nutritional Biochemistry | 4 |
| NUTR 875 | Practical Applications in Medical Nutrition Therapy | 4 |
| NUTR 873 | Clinical Nutrition | 4 |
| NUTR 880 | Critical Issues in Nutrition | 4 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |