College of Pharmacy

Nutrition & Dietetics

General Dietetics Program

 

The Washington State University (WSU) General Dietetics Program (GDP) is a four-year program offered on the Pullman campus, which results in a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition. Completion of this program is the first step towards gaining the registered dietitian (RD) credential. Graduates are then eligible to apply to supervised practice programs anywhere in the United States. The curriculum provides the foundation knowledge and skills to meet the educational standards required by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE). These standards outline the didactic preparation students need in order to function as beginners in the field of dietetics. See the suggested course sequence.

Download Suggested Course Sequence for General & Coordinated Dietetics Programs (PDF, 2 pages)

GDP Mission Statement and Goals: The mission of the GDP is to prepare students to successfully complete a dietetic internship to become registration-eligible by focusing on the academic and personal development of the individual. The goals of the program are:

The General Dietetics Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.

Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: 312-899-0040 ext 5400

 

Pre-certification:

When students are admitted to WSU, they should declare nutrition and dietetics as their area of interest. They will be assigned an FSHN advisor, and will continue with that advisor as long as they remain interested in the nutrition program. During the first two years of the program, students focus on completing courses required to certify in the dietetics major. Students enroll in basic science courses, FSHN courses, and complete most university General Education Requirements. Students also obtain the foundation knowledge and skills they need to complete advanced-level nutrition & dietetics courses during their junior and senior years.

Certification Requirements: Once students have completed all courses required for certification, they may apply to become certified major in the dietetics program. Students will be certified in the General Dietetics Option when they have met the following certification requirements:

  1. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  2. Must have passed the following prerequisite courses: Chem 101 or 105 and 102 or 106; Chem 345; Biol 251; MBioS 101; FSHN 120/121, 201, 233; Acctg 230; Stat 205 or 212; Engl 101; Psych 105.
  3. Must have a minimum grade of C or better in science courses (Chemistry, Biology and Molecular Biosciences).
  4. Must have completed at least 60 semester credits.
  5. Must complete and submit all application materials by the deadline date.

Students must certify in the dietetics major to continue their studies in dietetics, and to enroll in 300- and 400-level FSHN courses. Students who do not certify will need to identify another major at WSU.

Students who have completed the pre-requisite courses should apply to certify by filling out the "Application to Certify into the Dietetics Major".  Applications may be submitted by e-mail to Dr. Miriam Edlefsen.  Applications are accepted three times a year - and are due within 2 weeks after final grades have been posted in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.  Students will be notified within 2-3 weeks of the status in the program.

Graduation Requirements: To complete the GDP, students must:

The award of the degree is conditioned upon the student's good standing in the university and the satisfaction of all university graduation requirements. All GDP students must meet didactic requirements according to FSHN Student Handbook for Dietetics Options.

Application procedures for entering the General Dietetics Program (GDP):

Applications for certification will be made available online. Details about application forms and application deadlines will be posted in mid-September, 2006.

Post-baccalaureate Students:

Students with a degree outside of dietetics may apply to WSU as an undergraduate seeking a second bachelor's degree or as a graduate student seeking a master's degree. Students should apply to WSU, and once accepted, should have their college transcript evaluated by the General Dietetic (GD) Director, Dr. Miriam Edlefsen. This evaluation of previous academic preparation will identify courses that are needed to meet the certification requirements for admission to the GDP. It may be possible to complete these requirements while enrolled in a graduate program. The GD Director can advise students about additional options and answer any further questions.

Graduate students:

Students wishing to complete a master's degree while at the same time becoming RD-eligible should apply to the WSU Graduate School and to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Once accepted, students should contact Dr. Miriam Edlefsen, General Dietetic Director, for a transcript evaluation to determine the didactic coursework yet to be completed. Please realize that deficiencies in didactic coursework will add to the time required to complete the graduate degree.

Options after Graduation:

After graduating from the GDP, students have many options. They may work in a nutrition-related area, or go to graduate school. Students desiring to become an RD must complete a supervised practice experience providing at least 900 hours of supervised practice. A Verification Statement is issued to students graduating from the GDP and is required to apply to a dietetic internship. WSU offers two options for GDP graduates to complete their supervised practice experience and become eligible to take the National Registration Exam for Dietitians:

Complete the WSU General Dietetics Program and a supervised practice experience – Graduates of the GDP may decide to apply to a dietetic internship to complete their supervised practice. Students apply to dietetic internships during their senior year. A dietetic internship is a program accredited by CADE to train students to become competent, entry-level dietitians. More than 260 dietetic internships are available across the United States and Puerto Rico. Most dietetic internships are 9 to 12 months in length, and some programs offer students graduate credit during the program. Successful completion of the dietetic registration examination allows the graduate to become a Registered Dietitian using the initials R.D.

Being a successful applicant to a dietetic internship starts long before you fill out application forms. Although programs may have varying selection criteria, applicants who received appointments to supervised practice programs tend to have the following characteristics:

In addition to these characteristics, strong letters of recommendation, leadership in organizations, and willingness to relocate are also important.

Complete WSU's Coordinated Program in Dietetics – GDP students apply to the CPD during the Fall Semester of their senior year. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete the CPD application by the October 1 deadline. The CPD is a two-semester program providing one semester of clinical experience at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA, and a second semester is spent in the Tacoma/Olympia area fulfilling Foodservice Systems Management and Community Nutrition requirements. Upon completion of the CPD, students may take the national registration exam for dietetics.

Costs of the program: Costs associated with the General Dietetics Program include those associated with attending WSU, such as tuition, room & board, books and supplies and transportation.

Why should you be involved in the General Dietetics Program?

•  High faculty to student ratio and close association with small groups of students.

•  Active student organization – Student Nutrition Awareness Club (SNAC) provides volunteer, educational, social and service opportunities to students.

What are the advantages of pursuing dietetics as a career?

•  Graduates may apply to dietetic internships anywhere in the United States exposing them to different regions and cultures.

•  Numerous opportunities for entrepreneurship, achievement and advancement in the field.

•  Challenging – Dietetics combines food, nutrition, and health and offers numerous opportunities for leadership, management, and innovative roles.

•  Job security – in an expanding profession.

•  Career and family flexibility – Job share and part time positions are available.

•  A helping profession – provides a basis for strong humanistic and team relationships.

•  Diverse career options – to work with clients of diverse ages and needs, and to accommodate multiple interests from athletics to pediatric nutrition to foodservice management.

•  Expanding field – According to the Department of Labor, dietetics will continue to expand. Dramatic increases in diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, hypertension, obesity and other chronic diseases will increase demand for nutrition counseling. The aging US population will lead to overall increases in health care, long term care, and institutional nutrition services.

•  Wide range of career settings – the field is broad and allows graduates to work in food management companies, large medical centers, community nutrition programs, school foodservice operations and health and wellness facilities and many other settings.

•  Excellent job placement – Most graduates are employed within 3-6 months after graduation. Many have job offers when they graduate.

•  Highly respected profession – As members of the health care team, dietitians are respected for their expertise in food and nutrition and the role that these play in optimal health.

•  Upward mobility – Numerous opportunities are available for job expansion, job growth, promotion to leadership and management positions.

WSU Admission

Especially for Transfer Students.

WSU Graduate School

Also see:

 

 

 

 

Download Zone

College of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 646510, Pullman, WA 99165-6510, Contact Us