Nutrition and Food Studies
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Didactic Program in Dietetics Accreditation Information

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)*, the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Montclair includes required coursework necessary to complete core knowledge requirements and learning outcomes. An ACEND Verification Statement is issued to DPD students after successful completion of required coursework has been verified (i.e., grade of “C” or better in all DPD courses and demonstrated attainment of every dietetics core knowledge requirement (KRDN) throughout the program).

For related information or issues pertaining to the program and/or accreditation, and program outcome data, please contact Dr. Jessica Bihuniak (bihuniakj@montclair.edu), Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics.

*The following is the contact information of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0049

Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Mission

The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics is to provide culturally diverse students with a broad general education background and a solid foundation in nutrition and food studies. The program strives to offer a supportive learning environment with enriching experiences and practical training that is responsive to student, professional and community needs. The aim of the program is to prepare graduates to work in a variety of dietetic careers and to be influential and active members of the profession. The program is dedicated to excellence in intellectual development, critical thinking and social justice. To accomplish this mission, the DPD at Montclair has established two program goals.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills in nutrition and food necessary for supervised practice or entry-level nutrition and dietetics related careers.
1.1. At least 80% of graduates will rate that they felt prepared or more than prepared for entry into practice.
1.2. At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 150% of the program length (i.e. 6 years for BSDPD and 3 years for MSDPD).
1.3.At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
1.4.At least 40% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
1.5.The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Goal 2: Graduates will become active members and leaders of the dietetics community.
2.1. At least 30% of dietetic students will become members of Montclair State Dietetics Organization (MSDO).
2.2. At least 30% of graduates will become active members of professional food and/or health organizations within one year after graduation.
2.3. The mean rating of preparation for a supervised practice that dietetics internship directors assess program graduates will meet or exceed “satisfactory” on surveys (3 on scale of 1-5).

Program outcome data are available upon request from the director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics, Dr. Jessica Bihuniak (bihuniakj@montclair.edu).

Application and Admission Requirements

Individuals with a Bachelor of Arts or Science in any field may apply directly into the Pre-Dietetics Certificate Program. Prospective students submit their applications to the Graduate School. There are no prerequisites for this program regardless of a student’s previous field of study.

Materials needed for application:

  1. Transcripts from every college and university attended
  2. Letter of recommendation
  3. Personal statement

A minimum 3.2 overall GPA is required for applications. GRE is not required for the Pre-Dietetics Certificate program. Once enrolled in the Pre-Dietetics Certificate Program, students must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA, must successfully achieve every KRDN, and must complete each course in DPD with a grade of “C” or above to receive the DPD Verification Statement.

Process to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

There are multiple pathways toward becoming a RDN. Information about the requirements and process to become a RDN can be found on ACEND’s website.

Students must:

  1. Complete a minimum of a master’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college or foreign equivalent, and coursework through an ACEND accredited Didactic (DPD), Coordinated (CP), Graduate (GP), or Foreign (FDE) program.
  2. Complete required supervised practice/experience through an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship (DI), CP, GP, or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) offered through an ACEND-accredited program. Applications to supervised practice programs are submitted via the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS). Learn more about the DICAS application process and applicant traffic rules.

Montclair State University currently offers the Master of Science-Dietetics Concentration (GP) to meet these requirements in the process of becoming an RDN. The GP is a graduate-level, competency-based program that integrates coursework and at least 1,000 hours of supervised experiential learning (SEL) for RDN eligibility.

To become a RDN at Montclair State University, students will need to:

  1. Complete required undergraduate-level prerequisites in one of three ways:
    1. Complete the BS-Dietetics concentration at Montclair State University; or
    2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in any major at any accredited university and the Pre-Dietetics Certificate from Montclair State University; or
    3. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in any major at any accredited university and provide an ACEND verification statement from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Program (CP).
  2. Complete the MS-Dietetics Concentration, which includes required supervised experiential learning.
  3. Earn a GP Verification Statement by completing all GP program requirements.
  4. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR’s website.
  5. Apply for State Licensure/certification, if applicable; see below for more information.

While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license.

For more information about licensure in the State of New Jersey, please visit: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/dan/Pages/default.aspx

Tuition and Fees

Tuition covers the cost of classroom instruction. Current tuition and fees are available on the Montclair website. Students in the Pre-Dietetics Certificate will pay for their credits at the graduate student rate.

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

Graduation and program completion requirements include:

  1. Complete all DPD coursework at grade of C or higher
  2. Successfully achieve all KRDNs with a grade of 74% or higher

Academic and Program Calendar

The MS-Dietetics Concentration follows the University’s academic calendar.Students will be cohorted and complete courses in a pre-specified sequence.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships

Montclair State University has a wide range of scholarships available to students to assist with the cost of education. This includes admissions-related scholarships (students receive upon admission), University-wide scholarships, College-wide scholarships, and specific Departmental scholarships. Information about many of these scholarships can be found on the University’s Financial Aid website.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for dietetic students. Visit the Academy’s scholarships page for more information.

Financial Aid

Students are strongly encouraged to be in communication with the Office of Financial Aid.

Technology Requirements

All students must have access to personal devices such as a personal computer, laptop, or tablet; devices must have a webcam, microphone, and the ability to access the internet. Currently enrolled students with an active NetID and password can use the public computing labs or borrow laptops; for more information and lab schedule refer to the Student Services web page. Students must have access to a reliable internet service for off-campus distance education components such as virtual didactic class days and conferences, web-based education and training modules, and any virtual supervised experiential learning scheduled. While on campus, currently enrolled students with an active NetID and password can access internet service.

All courses utilize the Canvas Learning Management System; minimum browser and computer requirements can be found on Canvas Guides.

All students are required to access and utilize their Montclair email account, web conferencing platforms (e.g. Zoom), and word processing programs. Students have free access to Microsoft Office 365 Education and Google Apps for Education; specialized software is available at the MSU Software repository.

Prior Learning Credit

For students in the 2nd bachelor program, who hold a bachelor’s degree, or who are transferred from another college, faculty or department advisors can give credits for their prior learning. For the courses that are considered equivalent by cross checking the content of the course using syllabus and course description, the faculty and department advisors can give credits for students’ prior learning. However, the following courses must be taken at Montclair State University:

  • NUFD 258 (Experimental Food Science)
  • NUFD 382 (Advanced Nutrition)
  • NUFD 412 (Nutrition Education Techniques)
  • NUFD 452 (Organization and Management of Food Service Systems)
  • NUFD 488 (Medical Nutrition Therapy)
  • NUFD 499 (Medical Nutrition Applications)

Additionally, for transfer and second Bachelor’s students, biochemistry must have been completed within the past 10 years in order to be considered for a waiver.

For any waiver requests of eligible DPD-required courses, students must provide evidence of an assignment or exam from those transferred courses that closely align with the KRDNs assessed in the Montclair State University curriculum. If the student’s work in transferred courses is inadequate in successfully demonstrating the KRDN, the student will be given one additional opportunity to pass the competency through an alternative assignment.

If a student does not successfully demonstrate attainment of the KRDN by earning a 74% or higher even after the additional opportunity, the respective course will not be waived and the student must take the equivalent course at Montclair State University to ensure that the KRDN can be met. A DPD Verification Statement will not be awarded at the completion of the degree program unless the student provides the DPD Director with evidence that all KRDNs have been successfully demonstrated. Students with minimal chances of success in the program will be counseled by the DPD Director and an action plan with timelines will be developed. If appropriate, the student will be counseled into alternative career paths.