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, 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 of the above requirements, students 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 Graduate Student Handbook or Freshman, Transfer and 2D Student Handbook.