The Department of Nutrition and Food Studies has a long history of training the next generation of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Currently, we offer a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) for students who apply and are accepted into the program by June 15, 2025. The DPD pathway requires completion of the BS/MS DPD program, followed by 1200 hours of supervised practice at an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship program. Upon successful completion of your academic requirements and supervised practice, students are eligible to take the RD examination. The Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) confers the RD/RDN credential upon passing the exam. RD/RDNs are required to be licensed/certified in some states, including New Jersey. Learn more about Careers in Dietetics. Effective January 1, 2024, all students who wish to sit for the RD exam will be required to have a Master’s degree.
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)*, the DPD at Montclair includes required coursework necessary to complete core knowledge requirements and learning outcomes. Students may complete the DPD via two tracks: BS/MS DPD and the AND Certificate Program. An ACEND Verification Statement is issued to DPD students in either pathway after successful completion of required coursework has been verified (i.e., grade of “C” or better in all DPD courses and demonstrated attainment of every dietetics core knowledge requirement (KRDN) throughout the program).
Please refer to the Academic Calendar, Policies and Procedures, Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid.
- *The following is the contact information of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995. Telephone: 312-899-0049
Please note that Montclair State University is phasing out the DPD and Dietetic Internship programs and will not be seeking reaccreditation. The DPD will no longer accept any new students after June 15, 2025. The Dietetic Internship will take its last cohort in August 2026.
To replace these programs, Montclair State University has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to open an ACEND accredited Graduate Program (GP) to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Fall 2026.
Our eligibility application was accepted by ACEND, and we are in the pre-candidacy process for our proposed program. The program is not accepting applications at this time but will do so upon successful completion of the candidacy for accreditation process to achieve ACEND accreditation.
For more information about the ACEND accreditation standards visit 2022 ACEND Accreditation Standards: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accreditation-standards-fees-and-policies/2022-standards-and-templates
Contact Dr. Lauren Dinour for more information.
Mission, Goals, Objectives
The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics is to provide culturally diverse students with a broad general education background and a solid foundation in nutrition and food studies. The program strives to offer a supportive learning environment with enriching experiences and practical training that is responsive to student, professional and community needs. The aim of the program is to prepare graduates to work in a variety of dietetic careers and to be influential and active members of the profession. The program is dedicated to excellence in intellectual development, critical thinking and social justice. To accomplish this mission, the DPD at Montclair has established two program goals.
GOAL 1. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills in nutrition and food necessary for supervised practice or entry-level nutrition and dietetics related careers.
OBJECTIVES:
- At least 80% of graduates will rate that they felt prepared or more than prepared for entry into practice
- At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 150% of the program length (i.e. 6 years for BSDPD and 3 years for MSDPD)
- At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 40% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
GOAL 2. Graduates will become active members and leaders of the dietetics community
OBJECTIVES:
- At least 30% of dietetic students will become members of Montclair State Dietetics Organization (MSDO).
- At least 30% of graduates will become active members of professional food and/or health organizations within one year after graduation.
- The mean rating of preparation for a supervised practice that dietetics internship directors assess program graduates will meet or exceed “satisfactory” on surveys (3 on scale of 1-5)
Program Outcome data are available upon request from the director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics, Dr. Lauren Dinour.