Didactic Program in Dietetics, Certificate
Saint Louis University’s didactic program in dietetics, offered at the Doisy College of Health Sciences, prepares you to become a registered dietitian/nutritionist. You can still satisfy the requirements to gain eligibility for the program ifyou have a degree in a different area of study.
Curriculum Overview
SLU’s didactic program in dietetics (DPD) enrolls students who have already obtained an undergraduate degree in an alternate field and are pursuing a career on the path to becoming a registered dietitian/nutritionist.
The didactic program in dieteticsfeatures two curricular track options for DPD completion: a culinary track and a standard track. After completing the curriculum, you will earn a DPD verification statement that will prepare you to apply for dietetic internship programs, which are required to become a registered dietitian.
Clinical and Research Opportunities
Saint Louis University also offers a 15-month combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship. Open to those who have completed the didactic program in dietetics certificate,the internship trains students to become competent entry-level dietitians and prepare for the dietetic registration examination while earning a master's degree.
Careers
Registered dietitians/nutritionists frequently work in hospitals or other health care facilities, as well as in food and nutrition-related businesses and industries.They may also work in schools, hospitals, commercial kitchens, catering companies or nutrition and culinary services.
91Ƭ Requirements
91Ƭ criteria for transfer students include:
- A minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.00 scale
- Four years of high school English
- Three years of high school math and science (including one year of chemistry and one year of biology)
- A self-evaluation of transcripts
For priority enrollment in courses, applications should be complete by June 1 for a fall start date and Dec. 1 for a spring start date.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:
- You must demonstrate.
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Self-evaluation Directions for Applicants
Choose the appropriate self-evaluation of transcripts. Once the self-evaluation is complete, send your unofficial transcript and self-evaluation of courses toLauren Landfried, Ph.D., RD, LD, FAND, at Lauren.Landfried@health.slu.edu.
- Self-evaluation of Transcripts, Courses Required for DPD Verification (Standard)
- Self-evaluation of Transcripts, Courses Required for DPD Verification (Culinary Track)
- Fill in the corresponding course title and number, as well as the name of the institution and the grade you received. Official approval of course substitution will only occur after acceptance and enrollment into the program.
- Include a course description or preferably a course syllabus for any course in question. If you do not have a syllabus, try contacting that institution's department to request a copy for the appropriate year.
- A transcript must be included with the self-evaluation. An unofficial copy is acceptable.
- International students must have their transcript reviewed by
To assist in filling out your self-evaluation of the transcript, you can viewthe undergraduate transfer articulation page.
Tuition
Tuition | Cost Per Year |
---|---|
Undergraduate Tuition | $54,760 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.
For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
Accreditation
Saint Louis University's MS-DI program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
312-899-0040 ext. 5400
- Graduates will be able to demonstrateeffective professionalcommunication inthe transmission offood and nutritioninformation.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to develop貹پԳ-Գٱcare plans thatreflect a value fǰthe inherent worthof others.
- Graduates will be able to demonstratenutrition educationmethods tofacilitate diet changes in diversepopulations.
- Graduates will be able to articulate the valueof nutrition anddieteticsprofessionals in an interprofessionalcare context.
- Graduates will be able to evidence the proper use of professional literature to make evidence-based nutrition caredecisions.
Program Objectives
Goal 1: To prepare a generalist, internship-eligible graduate who has achieved basic competencies as identified by the Core Knowledge Requirements and Expected Learning Outcomes
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- At least 70 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 50 percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
- A minimum of 80 percent of students completing dietetic internships and/or post-baccalaureate programs will indicate that they “strongly agree” or “agree” that their undergraduate education adequately prepared them for their post-BS education.
- At least 80 percent of students completing dietetic internships and/or post-baccalaureate programs will indicate that they strongly agree or agree that their undergraduate education made them competitive with colleagues from other programs.
- At least 80 percent of program students* complete program/degree requirements within three years (150 percent of the program length). Program completion rate is calculated by tracking students from the beginning of the junior year. *ACEND-specific objectives
Goal 2: To prepare a graduate who is knowledgeable about nutritional care in multiple settings and demonstrates specific personal and professional competencies.
- A minimum of 80 percent of dietetic internship directors will indicate that graduates were more than satisfactorily prepared for success in their dietetic internship program.
- A minimum of 80 percent of students will indicate that they strongly agree or agree that they felt adequately prepared for the dietetic internship program.
Goal 3: To provide a basis for further development and life-long learning that will assure continued competence.
- A minimum of 85 percent of graduates will answer that they agree or strongly agree that the DPD program instilled a desire for continued development as a self-learner.
Goal 4: To prepare a graduate who will contribute to society based on the development of a sense of community and social/civic responsibility.
- A minimum of 75 percent of graduating seniors will have participated in a total of at least 20 hours of service learning by the end of the DPD program.
- A minimum of 85 percent of graduates will indicate that they agree or strongly agree that the DPD program supported the development of judgments respectful of the inherent dignity and worth of individuals.
DPD Certificate Standard Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prerequisites * | ||
1240 &;1245 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
4510 | Medical Microbiology | 4 |
ᷡ1110 &;ᷡ1115 | General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
ᷡ1120 &;ᷡ1125 | General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 4 |
ᷡ2410 &;ᷡ2415 | Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
ᷡ3600 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
䰿1900 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
ҳ1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
ʷ2100 | Interprofessional Collaboration and Healthcare in Global Context | 3 |
ѳҰ3000 | Management Theory and Practice | 3 |
ʱʳ2540 | Human Physiology | 4 |
ʳ1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
մ1300 | Elementary Statistics with Computers | 3 |
ǰѴձ1300 | Elementary Statistics with Computers | |
Nutrition and Dietetic Courses | ||
ٱ1000 | Contemporary Issues in Food and Nutrition | 2 |
ٱ2080 | Foundations in Nutrition | 3 |
ٱ2100 | Nutrition in the Lifecycle | 3 |
ٱ2510 | Principles of Food Preparation | 3 |
ٱ2511 | Cultural Aspects of Food | 3 |
ٱ3600 | Food Science | 4 |
ٱ3700 | Quantity Food Procurement/Prep | 3 |
ٱ3850 | Advanced Nutrition | 4 |
ٱ3890 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
ٱ4100 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
ٱ4110 | Clinical Practicum Lab I | 2 |
ٱ4150 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
ٱ4160 | Clinical Practicum Lab II | 3 |
ٱ4300 | Foundations in Comm. Nutrition | 3 |
ٱ4350 | Food Systems Management I | 3 |
ٱ4360 | Food Systems Management II | 3 |
ٱ4400 | Nutrition Education | 3 |
ٱ4500 | Nutrition Counseling | 3 |
ٱ4700 | Farm to Table Ecology | 3 |
ٱ4870 | Research Seminar I | 1 |
ٱ4880 | Research Seminar II | 1 |
䷡2010 | Foundations in Clinical Health Care Ethics | 3 |
Total Credits | 105 |
- *
Prerequisites can be taken at Saint Louis University or an accepted institution for transfer credit. Refer to Transferology for more information on transferring coursework to Saint Louis University.
DPD Certificate Culinary Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prerequisites * | ||
ACCT2200 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
1240 &;1245 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
4510 | Medical Microbiology | 4 |
ᷡ1110 &;ᷡ1115 | General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
ᷡ1120 &;ᷡ1125 | General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 4 |
ᷡ2410 &;ᷡ2415 | Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 4 |
ᷡ3600 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
ҳ1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
ʷ2100 | Interprofessional Collaboration and Healthcare in Global Context | 3 |
ѳҰ3000 | Management Theory and Practice | 3 |
ʱʳ2540 | Human Physiology | 4 |
ʳ1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
մ1300 | Elementary Statistics with Computers | 3 |
ǰѴձ1300 | Elementary Statistics with Computers | |
Nutrition and Dietetic Courses | ||
ٱ1000 | Contemporary Issues in Food and Nutrition | 2 |
ٱ2080 | Foundations in Nutrition | 3 |
ٱ2100 | Nutrition in the Lifecycle | 3 |
ٱ2510 | Principles of Food Preparation | 3 |
ٱ2511 | Cultural Aspects of Food | 3 |
DIET2750 | World Cuisines | 3 |
DIET3030 | Sustainable Food Systems | 3 |
DIET3190 | Garde Manger | 3 |
ٱ3600 | Food Science | 4 |
ٱ3700 | Quantity Food Procurement/Prep | 3 |
DIET3750 | 3 | |
ٱ3850 | Advanced Nutrition | 4 |
ٱ3890 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
DIET4020 | Beverage Theory and Service: Wine, Spirits, Beer, Coffee & Tea | 3 |
ٱ4100 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
ٱ4110 | Clinical Practicum Lab I | 2 |
ٱ4150 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
DIET4250 | 3 | |
ٱ4300 | Foundations in Comm. Nutrition | 3 |
ٱ4350 | Food Systems Management I | 3 |
ٱ4360 | Food Systems Management II | 3 |
ٱ4500 | Nutrition Counseling | 3 |
ٱ4700 | Farm to Table Ecology | 3 |
ٱ4870 | Research Seminar I | 1 |
ٱ4880 | Research Seminar II | 1 |
DIET4950 | Culinary Philosophy & Practice | 3 |
䷡2010 | Foundations in Clinical Health Care Ethics | 3 |
Total Credits | 120 |
- *
Prerequisites can be taken at Saint Louis University or an accepted institution for transfer credit. Refer toTransferologyfor more information on transferring coursework to Saint Louis University.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentunless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Standard Certificate Option
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
1240 &;1245 |
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory |
4 |
ᷡ1110 &;ᷡ1115 |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
ٱ2511 | Cultural Aspects of Food | 3 |
ҳ1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
Credits | 14 | |
Spring | ||
ᷡ1120 &;ᷡ1125 |
General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
ٱ1000 | Contemporary Issues in Food and Nutrition | 2 |
䰿1900 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
ʷ2100 | Interprofessional Collaboration and Healthcare in Global Context | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
ᷡ2410 | Organic Chemistry 1 | 0,3 |
ٱ2080 | Foundations in Nutrition | 3 |
䷡2010 | Foundations in Clinical Health Care Ethics | 3 |
ʱʳ2540 | Human Physiology | 4 |
ʳ1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
Credits | 13-16 | |
Spring | ||
ᷡ3600 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
ٱ2100 | Nutrition in the Lifecycle | 3 |
ٱ2510 | Principles of Food Preparation † | 3 |
ѳҰ3000 | Management Theory and Practice | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
4510 | Medical Microbiology | 4 |
ٱ3600 | Food Science | 4 |
Credits | 8 | |
Spring | ||
ٱ3700 | Quantity Food Procurement/Prep | 3 |
ٱ3850 | Advanced Nutrition | 4 |
ٱ4300 | Foundations in Comm. Nutrition | 3 |
մ1300 or Ѵձ1300 |
Elementary Statistics with Computers or Elementary Statistics with Computers |
3 |
Credits | 13 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
ٱ3890 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
ٱ4100 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
ٱ4110 | Clinical Practicum Lab I ‡ | 2 |
ٱ4350 | Food Systems Management I | 3 |
ٱ4500 | Nutrition Counseling | 3 |
ٱ4870 | Research Seminar I | 1 |
Credits | 13 | |
Spring | ||
ٱ4150 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
ٱ4160 | Clinical Practicum Lab II ‡ | 3 |
ٱ4360 | Food Systems Management II | 3 |
ٱ4400 | Nutrition Education | 3 |
ٱ4880 | Research Seminar II | 1 |
Credits | 13 | |
Total Credits | 98-101 |
- †
Hepatitis A vaccine required before enrolling
- ‡
Background Check Required
Culinary Certificate Option
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
1240 &;1245 |
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory |
4 |
ᷡ1110 &;ᷡ1115 |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
ٱ2511 | Cultural Aspects of Food | 3 |
ҳ1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
Credits | 14 | |
Spring | ||
ᷡ1120 &;ᷡ1125 |
General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
ٱ1000 | Contemporary Issues in Food and Nutrition | 2 |
䷡2010 | Foundations in Clinical Health Care Ethics | 3 |
ʳ1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
ᷡ2410 | Organic Chemistry 1 | 0,3 |
ٱ2080 | Foundations in Nutrition | 3 |
ٱ2510 | Principles of Food Preparation † | 3 |
ʱʳ2540 | Human Physiology | 4 |
Credits | 10-13 | |
Spring | ||
ACCT2200 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
ᷡ3600 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
ٱ2100 | Nutrition in the Lifecycle | 3 |
DIET2750 | World Cuisines | 3 |
մ1300 or Ѵձ1300 |
Elementary Statistics with Computers or Elementary Statistics with Computers |
3 |
ѳҰ3000 | Management Theory and Practice | 3 |
Credits | 18 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
4510 | Medical Microbiology | 4 |
DIET3190 | Garde Manger | 3 |
ٱ3600 | Food Science | 4 |
ʷ2100 | Interprofessional Collaboration and Healthcare in Global Context | 3 |
Credits | 14 | |
Spring | ||
ٱ3700 | Quantity Food Procurement/Prep | 3 |
DIET3750 | Advanced Cooking | 3 |
ٱ3850 | Advanced Nutrition | 4 |
DIET4250 | Baking and Pastry | 3 |
ٱ4300 | Foundations in Comm. Nutrition | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
ٱ3890 | Internship Seminar | 1 |
DIET4020 | Beverage Theory and Service: Wine, Spirits, Beer, Coffee & Tea | 3 |
ٱ4100 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
ٱ4110 | Clinical Practicum Lab I ‡ | 2 |
ٱ4350 | Food Systems Management I | 3 |
ٱ4500 | Nutrition Counseling | 3 |
ٱ4870 | Research Seminar I | 1 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
DIET3030 | Sustainable Food Systems | 3 |
ٱ4150 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
ٱ4360 | Food Systems Management II | 3 |
ٱ4700 | Farm to Table Ecology | 3 |
ٱ4880 | Research Seminar II | 1 |
DIET4950 | Culinary Philosophy & Practice | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Total Credits | 116-119 |
- †
Hepatitis A vaccine required before enrolling
- ‡
Background Check Required
Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu