Accreditation & Program Requirements

The information below provides important details about Texas Tech’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), accreditation, admission requirements, verification statement, and professional licensure considerations.

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

The Didactic Program in Dietetics at Texas Tech University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The program is designed to provide students with the core knowledge and competencies needed to prepare for future careers as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).

Accreditation Contact Information

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600, ext. 5400

DPD Admission Requirements

Students must be admitted to the Didactic Program in Dietetics before enrolling in the (3) Medical Nutrition Therapy Courses. DPD Program admission requirements are as follows:

• Minimum overall GPA: 3.0
• Letter grade ‘B’ or better in:
  • NS 1201 Intro To Dietetics &
  • NS 1410 Science of Nutrition
• Letter grade ‘C’ or better in:
  • CHEM 1307/1107 CHEM 1
  • CHEM 1308/1108 CHEM 2
  • CHEM 3305/3105 Organic Chemistry 1
  • ZOOL 2404 A&P I
• Completion of DPD Application

Verification Statement

Upon completion of the undergraduate DPD coursework from an ACEND-accredited program, such as the DPD Program at Texas Tech University, students will receive a Verification Statement of Completion. This document verifies that a student has completed the DPD requirements to apply for a position in a dietetic internship program (such as the post-baccalaureate internship offered at Texas Tech University) or to apply to take the national exam for Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTR).

In order to obtain a DPD Verification Statement of Completion from the Texas Tech University ACEND-accredited DPD program, students must meet all qualifications to obtain their bachelor's degree, as well as achieve a grade of C or better in all DPD coursework, in addition to meeting all assessment benchmarks as stated in each DPD course syllabus. 

Supervised Practice and Next Steps

Graduates who complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program may apply to ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs. After completion of supervised practice and graduate degree requirements, graduates may be eligible to take the national registration exam for the RD/RDN credential.

Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited DPD program at Texas Tech University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.

Supervised Practice Programs select applicants for appointments through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) portal. The DICAS portal is where you will create and submit your internship application. Please refer to the DICAS website for more information on dates for application submission and notifications of appointments. This information is covered in detail in both the NS 1201 Intro to Dietetics and NS 4315 Professional Issues in Dietetics courses. 

Dietetic Internships consist of a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice to gain the competencies needed to practice as an entry-level dietitian. Upon completion of the internship, graduates are eligible to take the CDR's registration exam in order to become a registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/RDN). You may search programs via the ACEND Program Directory.

Professional Licensure Information

Professional licensure or certification requirements vary by state. Students are encouraged to review current state requirements and university licensure information.

• Professional Licensure Information
• CDR Licensure Map
• EatRight Pathway Information

Distance Education Requirements

Add required distance education language here, including any expectations, technology requirements, participation standards, or program-specific policies that must appear on the website.

DPD Handbook

Please see the DPD handbook for more information, as well as specific policies related to transfer credits, distance education requirements, financial aid, and other program-specific policies and procedures.  

• DPD Handbook

Mission, Goals, and Objectives

The mission of the DPD Program is to prepare high-quality graduates for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist by offering core knowledge and skills through quality education for the purpose of contributing to the nutritional health of the public.

Goal 1: Graduates will be equipped in a timely manner for successful placement in supervised practice and/or admission into graduate school.

Objectives:

• At least 80% of program students complete the program/degree requirements within three (3) years (150% of the program length).
• At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 60% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation will be accepted.
• When surveyed, at least 80% of responding supervised practice program directors state they would accept another Texas Tech DPD graduate into their supervised practice program.

Goal 2: Graduates will be prepared to successfully complete supervised practice programs leading towards credentials as a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Objectives:

• When surveyed, at least 80% of the responding supervised practice program directors agree that TTU graduates were prepared and able to perform the responsibilities of their supervised practice.
• When surveyed, at least 80% of the responding program graduates will state that they are moderately or extremely prepared for supervised practice within 12 months of graduation.
• When surveyed, at least 80% of responding supervised practice program directors state they would accept another Texas Tech DPD graduate into their supervised practice program.
• Program outcomes data are available upon request.*

Estimated Cost to Students

Use the Tuition Calculator to see specific tuition cost estimates.

Below are estimates of the cost based on a 15-hour semester on campus with in-state tuition:

• Tuition and Fees: ~$6000
• Books & Supplies: ~$500
• Transportation: ~$250
• Housing: ~$1000/month