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Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (B.S. and M.A.)

Prepare for a Career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Are you passionate about health and nutrition? Does helping others achieve their health and nutrition related goals excite you? If so, the coordinated program in nutrition and dietetics (CP) with a master of arts in health advancement and promotion may be a perfect fit. Whether you are a first-time college student, transfer student, or already have a degree, our program has a pathway for you to complete the requirements to qualify for credentialing as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) through one seamless program.  

DPD graduates can join us to complete graduate coursework and supervised practice and finish the program in just 5 semesters (includes summers). Please see the information below specific to the DPD graduates for more information. 

We now have a direct graduate admission pathway for second degree students who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree in a closely related nutrition area. Please see more information on the Freshmen, Transfer, and SecondDegree Students page.

Program Highlights

  • Accelerated program format offers a faster track to graduation with both a B.S. and M.A.  
  • Experiencedfaculty who provide an inclusive classroom environment where students feel comfortable, valued and supported.  
  • Experiential learning (internship) experience occurs under supervision of experienced RDNs to gain professional experience in a variety of career settings  
  • Small class sizes to allow for personalized instruction and support. Our student-to-teacher ratio is unmatched by any other program in the area. 
  • Proactive advising provides guidance and support to students in managing academic goals and personal challenges. 

 The Fontbonne University Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is currently granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

ACEND can be contacted at:

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400

Email: ACEND@eatright.org

The requirements to become credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) involve the following steps: 

  1. Completion of at least a bachelor’s degree including didactic coursework through a university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)*
  2. Completion of supervised practice experience as required by ACEND
  3. Passing a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

The coordinated program in nutrition and dietetics at Fontbonne University prepares graduates as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) through one seamless program. Beginning on January 1, 2024 all candidates will be required to hold a graduate degree in order to be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for RDNs.  

RDNs work in various settings including hospitals and other health-care facilities, community/public health programs, nonprofits, food and nutrition-related business and industries, and research. You can learn more about credentialing and career possibilities here.  

*Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website 

In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited CP program at Fontbonne University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN. 

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Professional licensure for dietitians varies by state.  

For more information about state licensure requirements click here. 

Licensure information for Missouri can be found here

 

It is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program is designed to and does meet all state dietetics licensure and certification laws as some states may interpret their statutes differently.  

To graduate from the coordinated program at Fontbonne University, students must complete all required course work for the Bachelor of Science (if applicable) and Master of Arts, as well as a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice. 

To graduate, each student must also demonstrate achievement of each of the ACEND defined competencies for entry-level dietitian nutritionists (CDRNs).

Upon completion of all the above requirements, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (if applicable), a Master of Arts in health advancement and promotion, and a CP verification statement making them eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists. 

To learn more about our program, policies, and procedures you can review the current version of our Student Handbook.

Contact Us

For more information on the coordinated program, please contact Dena French, program director, at dfrench@fontbonne.edu or fill out this interest form and we will get in touch with you!  

Contact Us

Join us for our upcoming virtual Open House & Information Sharing session Thursday January 11th 10 – 11am CST Register here

This session will be recorded so please feel free to RSVP even if unable to attend live to receive the recording & info afterward.

Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (B.S. and M.A.)

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