The Dietetics Undergraduate Certificate is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree and wish to earn a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement from an ACEND-accredited program. This 52-credit hour certificate serves as a free-standing option. Prerequisite coursework not included in the previously earned degree must be completed prior to admission with a grade of C or better. Certificate courses must be completed with a grade of B or better.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Admission to the certificate program does not guarantee issuance of a DPD Verification Statement. Learners must undergo a mid-curriculum review to be considered for verification eligibility, which is based on academic performance, completion of required coursework, and other program criteria. The DPD Verification Statement qualifies them to:

• Apply to accredited supervised practice programs (a required step toward becoming a Registered Dietitian, RD)
• Immediately sit for the CDR credentialing exam to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR)

To earn the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential, learners must complete an accredited supervised practice program, earn a master's degree, and pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

• Provide evidence of an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education before enrollment.
  • International degree transcripts must be evaluated by one of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)'s approved foreign degree evaluation agencies.
• Have completed prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or better
• Have earned a B or higher in any certificate courses taken prior to application
  • Courses completed outside Kansas State University will require review and must be deemed appropriate for transfer equivalency
  • To ensure alignment with ACEND accreditation standards and professional preparation expectations, courses completed at institutions outside the United States are not eligible to fulfill professional (DPD) coursework requirements. Students may still submit international transcripts for evaluation of pre-requisite credit, as appropriate.

Certificate Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the certificate and earn the DPD Verification Statement, learners must:

• Earn a B or better in all certificate courses
• Successfully complete the DPD Verification Statement eligibility review
• Complete the following four courses at Kansas State University:
  • FNDH 400
  • FNDH 631
  • FNDH 632
  • FNDH 645