Dietetics Program Details

Pre-Dietetics

The pre-dietetics option is a minimum of 1 year, even for transfer students and those with a previous undergraduate or graduate degree. The chemistry coursework required is 3-4 terms and should be started as soon as a student plans to pursue this program. Students can choose to complete some coursework at a local community college (see course articulations), but 12 credits must be taken at OSU before being admitted to the dietetics option. 

Dietetics

The dietetics option is 2 years of sequenced coursework taken on campus as a cohort. Students cannot start the dietetics coursework until they have completed the pre-dietetics option requirements. 

 

New students

See sample degree plan and how to become an RDN for 4 year degree plan and timeline. CPHHS students meet with the academic advisor each term to check on degree progress. Students should plan to meet the pre-dietetics requirements by the end of spring their second year, when they can apply to the dietetics option.

 

Transfer students

All transfer students start in the pre-dietetics option. The pre-dietetics option takes a minimum of one year, even for transfer students.  Upon completion of the pre-dietetics option, students can start the 2 year dietetics option. Students wishing to transfer may consider starting the pre-dietetics coursework via OSU Ecampus while still working on their previous program, to avoid extending the degree program timeline.

Special attention needs to be paid to any coursework that students want to transfer into the dietetics degree. Students transferring into the pre-dietetics should review the admission information and course articulations.

Next steps for students who are considering transferring into the program:

  1. Gather your unofficial transcripts and review the OSU course articulations page.
     
  2. Using the dietetics option form, fill in the course acronym/number that you think would count as credit for those courses.
    1. For each course, include the term taken and if repeated, all terms taken.
    2. If a course is not a direct articulation, please also submit a course description or syllabus.
       
  3. Send both the dietetics option form and all unofficial transcripts to the dietetics advisor for review. The dietetics advisor will provide a plan for OSU coursework that you need and a timeline to complete the degree.

 

Post-bac students

All post-bac students start in the pre-dietetics option. Post-bac students can choose to just complete the required coursework to earn a DPD verification statement or get a second bachelor’s degree. The pre-dietetics option takes a minimum of one year. Upon completion of the pre-dietetics option, students can start the 2 year dietetics option. Students wishing to start the program should consider starting the pre-dietetics coursework via OSU Ecampus as soon as possible (even while finishing another degree program), to avoid extending the program timeline.

Special attention needs to be paid to any coursework that students want to transfer into the dietetics degree.

Next steps for post-bac students:

  1. Gather your unofficial transcripts and review the OSU course articulations page.
     
  2. Using the dietetics option form, fill in the course acronym/number that you think would count as credit for those courses - only columns #1 and 2.
    1. For each course, include the term taken and if repeated, all terms taken.
    2. If a course is not a direct articulation, please also submit a course description or syllabus.
    3. Already have a degree in nutrition? You will also need to submit syllabi for the nutrition courses you want reviewed for transfer credit.
       
  3. Send the dietetics option form, unofficial transcripts, and any course descriptions/syllabi to the dietetics advisor for review. The dietetics advisor will provide a plan for OSU coursework that you need and a timeline to complete the degree.

    Note: We have a 7 year limit on transferring prior science courses with some exceptions, including grad degree and work experience in fields of science or nutrition. Please indicate in your email if either of these apply to your situation

Verification Statements

Students transferring with advanced degrees to earn a Verification Statement to become eligible to pursue a dietetic internship should be aware that OSU does not issue Verification Statements to those that did not complete the majority of the DPD curriculum at OSU.

Verification Statements will only be issued to students who have completed all DPD requirements including at least 34 credits at Oregon State University under the Dietetics Option requirements which equates to 75% of upper division NUTR credits required for the Dietetics Option.

 

Academic Advising

Academic advising is available to prospective and current students through the College of Public Health and Human Sciences Student Success Office.

Current students may contact assigned academic advisors via email or book appointments through the online scheduling system.

 

Additional questions about your situation?

Contact the dietetics program director, Michelle.Bump@oregonstate.edu.