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Environmental Health Sciences

Human Nutrition - Program in Dietetics

The mission of the University of Michigan Program in Dietetics is to provide an organized program of graduate study and advanced training for practice in the community or clinical settings through the provision of graduate degrees in human nutrition, either the Master of Science or the Master of Public Health.

The program meets and exceeds the minimal academic requirements for professional dietitians. Verified completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), and the Dietetic Internship (DI) make graduates eligible to be credentialed as Registered Dietitians (RD).

Through the advanced training via a MS or MPH degree in Human Nutrition, the University of Michigan graduates gain leadership, critical thinking, and effective communication skills to disseminate accurate nutrition knowledge, and promote the integral role nutrition plays in disease prevention, treatment, and the promotion of well being.

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

Students must complete the academic requirements as specified by the Commission on Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to be registered dietitian eligible. The following table lists the undergraduate courses required to be RD eligible. Students must take a minimum of one course in each of the following:

Courses
Calculus
English
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology

These undergraduate requirements are specific to the University of Michigan Program in Dietetics. The University of Michigan Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) provides a curriculum which is based upon the foundation knowledge requirements and learning outcomes specified by the ACEND (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995 Phone: 312-899-0040, Ext. 5400). The program is currently accredited by CADE through December, 2015.

For all students interested in the dietetics program, a transcript evaluation will be completed by the DPD director. The evaluation will provide the basis for identifying an individualized plan of course work to meet both graduate program and dietetic requirements. In-person, telephone and e-mail personal advising is encouraged for all prospective students. For further information, please contact:

Susan Aaronson, M.A., R.D.
DPD Director
6645 SPH Tower
1415 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
Phone: 734-975-3032
E mail: susaaaro@umich.edu

Upon completion of required coursework and the awarded graduate degree, students are issued a Verification Statement, signifying that all DPD and graduate degree requirements have been met and students are eligible to apply for dietetic internships.

Cost

The University of Michigan DPD typically involves two years of graduate study. The School of Public Health current tuition costs can be found at the U of M Registrar's Office.

Dietetic Internship at the University of Michigan

The Program in Human Nutrition sponsors a dietetic internship to which students may apply once they have a DPD Verification Statement. The Dietetic Internship provides the experience level of training required to write the registration exam and obtain registered dietitian status. The DI is currently accredited by ACEND (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995 Phone: 312-899-0040, Ext. 5400) through December, 2015.

The next offering of the UM SPH Dietetics Internship will be January, 2012 for pre-select candidates only.

Registered Dietitian Exam

Upon completion of the supervised internship, students will be issued a Verification Statement, declaring that they have completed the internship and are eligible to write the Registered Dietitian (RD) Examination. The exam is a computerized exam, available by appointment after the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) has received notice of internship completion.

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The next offering of the UMSPH Dietetics Internship will be January 2013 for pre-select candidates only.