The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides a pathway to become a Registered Dietitian after earning a non-dietetics undergraduate degree. A student who completes all courses required for the Dietetics major through La Salle’s accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition can prepare for the Registered Dietitian credential without completing an entire second undergraduate degree.
Successful Nutrition students have an aptitude for biology and chemistry, maintain a persistent work ethic, enjoy food and working in food service careers, and, like all health care-related fields, have a strong passion for improving the lives of others.
Why Study Nutrition at La Salle?
Once you apply online, your previous transcript(s) will be evaluated by the Program Director for course work that can be applied to Dietetics requirements. Then, a personalized course sequence will be developed to complete Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics undergraduate academic requirements (part-time or full-time). Upon completion of all required course work, you will receive a Verification Statement that permits application to a dietetics supervised practice program.
Once academic requirements are met, apply to the La Salle Master’s Coordinated Program in Dietetics Practice or another accredited program to meet supervised practice requirements. If you have not completed the La Salle Master’s Coordinated program, you will also need to complete a Master’s degree (in any area of study).
Completion of supervised practice and a Master’s degree qualifies you to take the Registered Dietitian examination to earn the RD (also called Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist or RDN) credential, which is granted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Once the RD credential has been earned, you are eligible to apply for licensure in states that have licensure for dietitians. You can refer to the state licensure board for the requirements in the state where you intend to practice. (Note: in PA, you must have a Nutrition degree to be eligible for licensure).
Accreditation
La Salle University’s Didactic Program in Nutrition and Master’s Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice are both accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Program outcomes data are available upon request.
The Nutrition program opens many career avenues in clinical, community, food service, and private practice nutrition. Graduates of this program will be prepared for jobs in public health, food systems, communication, research, or business related to health and nutrition; for graduate studies in nutrition or other health disciplines; or for Dietetic Internship programs that will prepare them for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) credential.
