Mission Statement

The mission of the Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is to prepare students for supervised practice and to become competitive entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who are committed to practice in a dynamic and diverse global society.

Goals

1. Prepare graduates for acceptance to and success in supervised practice and graduate school.

   Objectives for Goal #1:

   1. At least 80% of enrolled students will complete the program within 3 years (the planned program length for the Jr./Sr. cohort is 2 years).
   2. At least 75% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
   3. Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 75% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
   4. 80% of supervised practice/graduate program directors responding to a survey will rate program graduates' preparation for supervised practice as "above average" or better. 5=excellent, 4=above average, 3=average, 2=below average, 1=poor

2. Program graduates will provide competent, evidence-based practice to individuals, families, and communities.

   Objectives for Goal #2:

   1. 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%.
   2. 80% of program graduates responding to an alumni survey will rate the quality of their preparation for supervised practice programs as "above average" or better. 5=excellent, 4=above average, 3=average, 2=below average, 1=poor.

Note: Program outcomes data are available by request. Please send an email message to the program director, Dr. Liz Smith, at [email protected].

Admission Requirements

Prospective students must apply for admission to Middle Tennessee State University.

Although there is not a separate admission to the DPD students should be aware of the B or better letter grade requirement for many of the prerequisite courses.  These letter grade requirements are to ensure students will be better prepared in the more rigorous junior and senior level courses, as well as be more competitive when applying for dietetic internships. Please see the academic map for the courses and prerequisite grade requirements.

Program Costs and Expenses

Current university tuition costs and expenses can be found on the MTSU tuition website. Students enrolled in the senior-level experiential learning (EXL) courses will be required to obtain:

• Liability insurance,
• Proof of negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test, (Note: If you don't have proof Student Health Services can provide the TB Skin Test for $15)
• Name tag (Approximately $12 to $14)
• MTSU DPD polo shirt (Approximately $25)

Students will not be required to locate their own EXL sites and/or practitioners; however, students will need to provide their own transportation to the learning sites. Students are responsible for the costs associated with these requirements.

Program Completion

All students who successfully complete the degree requirements, as listed on the Requirements page, will receive a verification statement when grades and/or transcripts are officially posted.  Note:  Students who are only completing the DPD course requirements and not obtaining a degree in Nutrition & Food Science must provide the program director with an official transcript from the university in which the undergraduate degree was obtained before a verification statement will be granted.

Dietetic Internship

Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS)
Most internship programs are using the Online centralized application. The online application must be completed by the stated deadline for both the fall and spring application periods.  Applications are typically due either in February(matching occurs in April) or in September (matching occurs in November).  Currently, the fee to use DICAS is $50.00 for the first application submitted and $25.00 foreach additional application.  Note: Most internship programs also have a separate application fee that you must pay directly to the program. 

Computer Matching for Dietetic Internships
Individuals applying to a supervised practice program need to be aware of computer matching requirements during the application process. All dietetic internships are participating in computer matching except for those granted an exemption because they only accept applications from individuals already enrolled in the respective universities or employed by the sponsoring institution.

D & D Digital requires all applicants to register for the computer matching process online and enter contact information, Dietetic Internship priority choices and pay the $55.00 fee.

Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR)

Nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs), are trained in food and nutrition. They play an important role on health-care and food service management teams. MTSUDPD graduates who choose not to apply for a supervised practice program during their senior year or after graduation are eligible to earn the NDTR credential. After completing the degree in dietetics, program graduates must pass the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website. In order to maintain the credential, a NDTR must complete continuing professional educational requirements.

Student Resources

• DPD Student Handbook
• Organizations:
  • MTSU Nutrition and Dietetics Association
  • Nashville Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Program Events
• Human Sciences Scholarships and Awards
• Financial Aid
• Distance Learning
• Contribute to the Dellmar Walker Scholarship for Outstanding Dietetics Senior (In Memory of Dellmar Walker, Program Graduate, Former DPD Director, and Former Human Sciences Department Chair)

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nutrition and Food Science with a concentration in Dietetics at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is accredited by the American Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)  and by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Completion of this program is the first of several steps required for registered dietitian nutritionist licensure in the state of Tennessee (https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/dn-board.html). Students should be aware that licensure requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. MTSU has not made a determination whether this program will meet all of the requirements of another US state or territory. Students in the BS in Nutrition and Food Science—Dietetics program who plan to seek licensure outside the state of Tennessee should consult the Commission on Dietetic Registration website at https://www.cdrnet.org/state-licensure for the most current information about licensure procedures in the US state or territory in which they plan to practice and discuss their plans with their advisor.​

Graduate Testimonials

I felt VERY prepared for my internship! Sometimes I even thought I was better prepared and had more knowledge than my fellow interns! During my first rotation, my preceptor told me that I set the bar high for other interns!
-Yuliia, Class of '22, Recently finished NHC internship and working at Summit Medical Center as a Clinical RD

I’ve been doing my NutraCo orientation this week (9-5) and I just wanted to let you know I already feel very prepared!! Everything we have gone over so far has been things I’ve known how to do and felt very comfortable doing it. Once again feeling very thankful I found my way to the MTSU program and that you guys prepared us so well!
-Owen, Class of '23, Current intern at NutraCo and enrolled in the Master of Professional Studies - Leadership in Nutrition at MTSU

The MTSU DPD program’s experiential learning activities gave me an edge in gaining acceptance to my top-choice (Vanderbilt Medical Center) internship program. Thanks to unique activities, such as health coaching real clients, performing nutrition assessments in the medical simulation lab, and developing recipes for a public school system, I was able to prove my readiness to excel as a future RD.
- Amanda, Class of '18, Works at Vanderbilt Medical Center as a Clinical RD

The faculty made the dietetics program both challenging and fun. I felt more than prepared and was successful with the next steps of my career in dietetics following graduation.
- Jericho, Class of '19, Interned at UK Healthcare (University of Kentucky) and works at Central Texas Veterans Affairs as a Clinical RD

The Nutrition and Food Science Dietetics Program at MTSU exceeded my expectations. It set me up for a rich understanding of food while giving me the tools I needed to succeed in this career field. 10/10 would recommend!
- Rebekah, Class of '19, Interned at Vanderbilt Medical Center and was commissioned as a RD in the U.S. Air Force

This program not only prepared me for the internship but also exposed me to various aspects of the field. I enjoyed every moment of these hands-on experiences, from connecting with the older adults at St. Clair to witnessing food production at Sysco to touring a dialysis center.
- Stacy, Class of '21, Interned at Vanderbilt Medical Center and working in NYC as a RD

The nutrition and food science degree program at MTSU exceeded all my expectations. The courses were engaging and relevant, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field. The knowledgeable faculty members and practical hands-on experiences equipped me with the skills and confidence I needed to pursue a successful career as a Registered Dietitian.
- Nicholas, RDN, Class of '18, Interned at Vanderbilt and owns Halcyon Health, PLLC

I completed my bachelors in nutrition and food science with a concentration in dietetics in 2020. This program thoroughly prepared me for my internship and professional career through a variety of academically challenging projects like case studies and patient simulations. I grew a lot during my four years in this program and I will always cherish the memories made with my fellow peers and the supportive staff.
- Anna, Class of '20, Interned at the VA in Memphis and now works for the Memphis VA as a clinical RD