This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. Please see below for information regarding requirements for admission to this major.
Following prerequisite courses, the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) consists primarily of dietetics course work at the junior and senior level. The Brigham Young University Didactic Program in Dietetics is currently granted accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-4876. Following graduation, students must gain acceptance into and complete a dietetic internship (DI) to qualify for the national examination required for Registered Dietitian (RD) status.
Students must apply by February 15 for admission into the professional sequence in the fall. Formal acceptance is required to continue with the professional sequence.
Four of the following eight courses must be completed at the time of application: Acc 200, Chem 285, MMBio 221, NDFS 100, 200, 290; PDBio 220, 305.
Major GPA and performance in nutrition, dietetics, and food science courses will be considered. Successful applicants typically have a major GPA greater than 3.0 and nutrition, dietetics, and food science course grades greater than B–.
Applicants need at least 300 hours of dietetics-related work and/or volunteer experience.
Dietetics is the science and art of applying the principles of nutrition to the diet. Following prerequisite courses, the Didactic Program in
Dietetics consists primarily of dietetics course work at the junior and senior level. The Brigham Young University Didactic Program in Dietetics is currently granted accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-4876. Following graduation, students must gain acceptance into and complete a dietetic internship (DI) to qualify for the national examination required for Registered Dietitian (RD) status.
Some employment opportunities exist in the department. Scholarships are available from the department and the college.
Clinical Dietitian-Assess nutritional status of patients. Counsel patient and family on diet recommendations. Conduct classes on diabetes, weight control, normal nutrition. Consultant Dietitian-Meets federal and state requirements for nursing homes. Consultant for food preparation. In-service education to staff. Independent Practitioner-Private dietetics practice. Conduct classes on weight control and cardiovascular disease and counsel clients. Community/Public Health Dietitian-Assess nutritional status of clients according to needs. State and federal programs for the aged, children and pregnant women. Administrative Dietitian-Manage time, money and human resources. Plan, organize, direct and evaluate food service systems. Administer personnel, develop policies and standards. Develop budget guidelines. (See faculty advisor for additional career choices.)
Affiliate membership in the American Dietetic Association (ADA) provides opportunities to attend local, state and national professional meetings, in addition to a subscription to the ADA Journal.