Program Completion & Verification Statements

Assessment of Student Learning

For the DPD verification statement, dietetics students must show evidence of achievement of each RDN Core Knowledge Statement (KRDN) set by the 2022 Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Programs (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Achievement of each KRDN means a passing grade (70% or higher) on each assessed learning activity listed on each NUTR course syllabus. Course faculty will report students’ achievement of competencies at the end of each NUTR course to the DPD Director. If a student does not achieve a passing grade for a learning activity, students will be instructed by their course faculty to re-do the learning activity until they earn a passing grade on the KRDN. Alternatively, the course faculty may reach out to the DPD Director to administer the learning activity to earn a passing grade.

Program Completion

Baccalaureate Students

To earn a DPD verification statement, students enrolled in the Didactic Program in Dietetics are required to successfully complete OSU requirements for bachelor’s degree conferral per Academic Regulations 25, the Dietetics option requirements, the Pre-Dietetics option requirements, and all KRDNs with a score of 70% or higher. Additionally, students are required to complete a minimum of 34 credits (75%) of upper division DPD coursework at OSU, which is monitored by DPD Director through the transfer credit petition process.

Post-Baccalaureate Students

For post-baccalaureate students to earn a DPD verification statement, students enrolled in the Didactic Program in Dietetics are required to successfully complete OSU requirements for bachelor’s degree conferral per Academic Regulations 26, the Dietetics option requirements, the Pre-Dietetics option requirements, and all KRDNs with a score of 70% or higher. Additionally, students are required to complete a minimum of 34 credits (75%) of upper division DPD coursework at OSU. Additionally, students are required to complete a minimum of 34 credits (75%) of upper division DPD coursework at OSU, which is monitored by DPD Director through the transfer credit petition process.

Non-Degree Graduate Students

A non-degree option is available for currently enrolled Nutrition graduate students who wish to pursue the Didactic Program in Dietetics verification statement. Graduate students are required to meet with the DPD Director to determine a curriculum plan to complete the Pre-Dietetics and Dietetics course requirements. Upon completion of the coursework in the Pre-Dietetics and Dietetics option requirements and all KRDNs with a score of 70% or higher, a DPD verification statement is awarded. Additionally, students are required to complete a minimum of 34 credits (75%) of upper division DPD coursework at OSU. Additionally, students are required to complete a minimum of 34 credits (75%) of upper division DPD coursework at OSU, which is monitored by DPD Director through the transfer credit petition process.

Verification Statement Procedures

A DPD verification statement is issued upon successful completion of all requirements listed above. This is an official ACEND document indicating that OSU confirms that all knowledge requirements have been met and the student is prepared to apply for supervised practice programs, the next step to achieve the RDN credential.

The DPD Director tracks student progress for all DPD students in each cohort. The DPD Director will fill out and sign an electronic verification statement and email this document to the graduate’s email addresses, including directions to the graduate to retain the verification statement indefinitely for supervised practice programs and state licensure.

ACEND requires that DPD programs retain an original copy of all verification statements issued indefinitely. If graduates do not retain their copy, they can reach out to the current DPD Director in the future to get another verification statement.

While DPD verification statements do not expire, students should be aware that delaying application to supervised practice programs may necessitate retaking DPD course requirements to be eligible for specific supervised practice programs. Students who are more than three years post-DPD graduation should consult with supervised practice program directors on their recency of education requirements.