Nutrition and Dietetics

DPD Bachelor’s Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Using ACEND Standards

Students work on a snack project in the Burkhiser Complex

The Nutrition and Dietetics program seeks well-rounded students dedicated to health who are willing to work hard and demonstrate competency in multiple professional skills areas, including knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. The program will award up to 50 verification statements to students each academic year.

Prospective students will learn about the program through recruitment events, advertisements, high school counselors, or this web page.

Application and Admission Requirements

Students will be required to go through the general admission process for CSC. All students are welcome to join the program, however it will be made clear to all students that verification statements will ONLY be awarded to students who meet the specified criteria at graduation. This includes the following:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher on all college work completed including general studies courses.
  • B or higher grades in all NTR courses.
  • C or higher grades in all DPD required science courses (BIO and CHEM).

Paying for College

In addition to tuition, fees, books, housing, and transportation, other fees may include the ServSafe exam costs (estimated $36) and the fee required to sit for the RD exam following graduation. The fee for Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) depends on how many programs the student applies to. For reference: the cost for 2020-21 was $50 for the first submission to an internship program and $25 for each additional submission.

Paying for College
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A student examines nutrition information in the Burkhiser Complex

Sample 4-Year Course Schedule
Academic Calendar
Online Learning FAQ
Student Handbook
Catalog

A student takes a blood pressure test in the Burkhiser Complex

Requirements to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

The following are the list of requirements necessary of all students in order to sit for the RD exam and become a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN):

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program).
    * Starting in 2024, the minimum requirements to sit for the RD exam will move to a minimum of a Master's Degree.
  2. Complete an ACEND accredited supervised practice program (e.g., Dietetic Internship Program or Individual Supervised Practice Pathway). Supervised practices/experiential learning is combined with the Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program.
  3. Obtain a passing score on the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam for the RD or RDN credential.
  4. Follow the state laws that regulate the practice of dietetics.
    • In the state of Nebraska, a Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapy (LMNT) credentialing law is required. Attaining the RD/RDN credential will allow individuals to acquire the LMNT credential and practice as a medical nutrition therapist.

 


Graduation Requirements

The graduation requirements for the completion of the Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD):

  • Complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours while also completing all required courses in the undergraduate catalog with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a B or better in all Nutrition and Dietetic (NTR) courses.
    NOTE: The DPD program will not accept coursework to meet the DPD requirement from any other university or college outside CSC in which a grade of D-, D, or D+ was earned.

Once all of the requirements have been satisfied, students will be provided a Verification Statement. Without the Verification Statement, a student will not be eligible to apply for admission to a supervised practice program, e.g., Dietetic Internship Program.

 


Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics DPD Program: CSC

Program pre-requisite courses that will count toward general studies/essential studies requirements:

FCS 136 Food Science & Lab 3
MATH 232 Applied Statistics 3
FCS 436 Global Food Systems 3
Total  9

Major Coursework for Program:

CSCCore Course RequirementsCredits
BIO 132 Medical Terminology 2
BIOL 240 & L Human Anatomy & Phys I & LAB 4
BIOL 242 & L Human Anatomy & Phys II & LAB 4
BIOL 341 & L Microbiology & Lab 4
CHEM 131 & L College Chemistry I & Lab 4
CHEM 132 & L College Chemistry II & Lab 4
CHEM 231 & L Survey of Organic Chem & Lab 4
CHEM 335 & L Biochemistry & Lab 4
FCS 136 & L Food Science & Lab 3
FCS 247 Nutrition 3
FCS 447 Nutrition for Sport and Wellness 3
FCS 436 Global Food Systems 3
FCS 457 Nutrition for Community Wellness 3
NTR 110 Introduction to Nutritional and Allied Health Professions 2
NTR 210 Complementary and Alternative Medicine 3
NTR 250 & L Food Service & Hospitality & Lab 4
NTR 260 Lifecycle Nutrition 3
NTR 300 Nutrition and Metabolism 3
NTR 310 Micronutrient Metabolism 3
NTR 320 Nutrition Education & Counseling 3
NTR 450 Medical Nutrition Therapy I 3
NTR 460 Medical Nutrition Therapy II 3
MGMT 340 US Healthcare Systems: Organization & Delivery 3
Total  75

Notes:

  • If there is no double-dipping of courses in general studies/essential studies and no deletion of courses, total number of credits is 130.
  • If double dipping of 9 credits occurs for general studies/essential studies (BIO, PSYC, MATH), and no deletion of courses, total number of credits is 120. (ES 39 + 81 = 120)

Dietetic Internship or Supervised Practice Programs

A student is required to complete a 1,200-hour internship. After completion of the program and receipt of the verification statement, the student will be able to apply for their Dietetic Internship which is done via the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS). The DICAS Online offers applicants a web-based application service that will allow them to apply to any number of participating dietetic internship programs by completing a single online application.

DICAS and Computer Match Overview
Program Outcomes

Program outcomes data are available upon request.

Mission of the Dietetics Program

The Nutrition and Dietetics program’s mission is to prepare graduates for a supervised practice experience program to meet requirements for eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a practicing registered dietitian nutritionist. Graduates will apply their knowledge in practical settings to evaluate nutritional status of individuals, provide wellness counseling, implementing programs for communities, overseeing food service operations, be competent on how to prevent and treat disease with evidence-based nutritional practices and medical nutrition therapy, and provide education about the connection between nutrition and health in rural Nebraska and beyond.

Program Goals, Objectives

Goal #1: The program will prepare graduates with the core knowledge needed for acceptance into and success in an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
Goal #2: The program will prepare graduates for a variety of employment opportunities that will address the nutrition and health needs of individuals and families in rural regions of Nebraska and surrounding states.

A) ACEND Required Objectives
At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 6 years (150% of the program length). (RE 3.3.b.1)
90% percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation. (RE 3.3.b.2)
75% percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation. (RE 3.3.b.3.a)
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%. (RE 3.3.b.3.b)
At least 80% of supervised practice program directors will indicate that program graduates were “prepared” or “very prepared” for their supervised practice. (RE 3.3.b.4)
Program Specific Objectives (RE 3.3.a)
At least 80% of Nutrition and dietetic graduates will report feeling adequately knowledgeable about the population characteristics and health problems being face by rural areas of the Nebraska and its surrounding states.
A minimum of 25% of program graduates will return to rural regions of Nebraska or surrounding states for employment.

ACEND: Accreditation status: Accredited through April 11, 2026

Contact

Dr. Erin Norman, Ph.D., R.D., LMNT
308-432-6285
enorman@csc.edu
Burkhiser Complex 217
1000 Main St
Chadron, NE 69337		 ACEND@eatright.org
Website
800-877-1600 ext. 5400
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995

 

Glossary

  • ACEND: Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • CDR: Commission on Dietetic Registration
  • DICAS: Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services
  • Didactic: Fixed instruction
  • DPD: Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Program
  • KRDN: Knowledge Requirement for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
  • LMNT: Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapy
  • NTR: Nutrition and Dietetic courses
  • RD: Registered Dietitian
  • RDN: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist