Didactic Program in Dietetics

Saint Louis University's didactic program in dietetics, offered at the Doisy College of Health Sciences, prepares you to become a registered dietitian/nutritionist. You can still satisfy the requirements to gain eligibility for the program if you have a degree in a different area of study.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective professional communication in the transmission of food and nutrition information.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to develop patient-centered care plans that reflect a value for the inherent worth of others.
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate nutrition education methods to facilitate diet changes in diverse populations.
4. Graduates will be able to articulate the value of nutrition and dietetics professionals in an Interprofessional care context. 
5. Graduates will be able to evidence the proper use of professional literature to make evidence-based nutrition care decisions.

Program Objectives

Goal 1: To prepare a generalist, internship-eligible graduate who has achieved basic competencies as identified by the Core Knowledge Requirements and Expected Learning Outcomes

• The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• At least 70 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 50 percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
• A minimum of 80 percent of students completing dietetic internships and/or post-baccalaureate programs will indicated that they "strongly agree" or "agree" that their undergraduate education adequately prepared them for their post BS education.
• At least 80 percent of students completing dietetic internships and/or post-baccalaureate programs will indicate that they strongly agree or agree that their undergraduate education made them competitive with colleagues from other programs.
• At least 80% of program students* complete program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).  Program completion rate is calculated by tracking students from the beginning of the junior year.   *ACEND specific Objectives

Goal 2: To prepare a graduate who is knowledgeable about nutritional care in multiple settings and demonstrates specific personal and professional competencies.

• A minimum of 80 percent of dietetic internship directors will indicate that graduates were more than satisfactorily prepared for success in their dietetic internship program.
• A minimum of 80 percent of students will indicate that they strongly agree or agree that they felt adequately prepared for the dietetic internship program.  

Goal 3: To provide a basis for further development and life-long learning that will assure continued competence.

• A minimum of 85% of graduates will answer that they agree or strongly agree that the DPD program instilled a desire for continued development as a self-learner.

Goal 4: To prepare a graduate who will contribute to society based on development of a sense of community and social/civic responsibility.

• A minimum of 75% of graduating seniors will have participated in a total of at least 20 hours of service learning by the end of the DPD program.
• A minimum of 85 percent of graduates will indicate that they agree or strongly agree that the DPD program supported development of judgments respectful of the inherent dignity and worth of individuals.  

Send transcripts of all secondary work.

Find out from your admission counselor what secondary credentials are required. We’ll evaluate how you’ve done in school up to this point, so please send all transcripts for secondary work, along with their English language translations.

Submit proof of your English language proficiency.

These are scores from any standardized test you may have taken to prepare for college — TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, SAT, ACT or Duolingo score. All of our international applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency, and these tests can help us make that determination.

If you do not meet SLU’s direct entry requirements, we encourage you to apply to the Pathway or English Language programs offered by INTO Saint Louis University.

Recommended items.

Though not required for admission, submission of a resume of activities and letters of recommendation is encouraged. All undergraduate applicants are also encouraged to complete an admission interview.

Registered dietitians/nutritionists frequently work in hospitals or other health care facilities, as well as in food and nutrition-related businesses and industries. They may also work in schools, hospitals, commercial kitchens, catering companies, or nutrition and culinary services.