Earn a Dietetics Bachelor's Degree or Take the Didactic Dietetic Coursework Only
The University of Northern Colorado offers a distance-based Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). This includes two options:
- A Dietetics Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree completion program
- A DPD-only certificate program
See the Course of Study tab below for more information.
ACEND-Accredited
The Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of Northern Colorado is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Dietetics and Nutrition Education (ACEND, formerly CADE) and adheres to the knowledge, skills, and competencies described by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND, formerly the American Dietetic Association).
ACEND Announcement
Beginning January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) has changed the degree requirement for dietitian registration eligibility from a Bachelor's degree to a Master's degree (in any field) in addition to the current requirement of a verification statement from an ACEND accredited dietetics program. More information:
Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate Degree Registration Eligibility Requirement Student Option Scenarios
An Elite Program Brought to You Online
The Distance Dietetic Program (DDP) is accredited the same as our on-campus program; however it is designed to be more accessible for students who have employment and/or family commitments that preclude participating in a full-time on-campus experience. The UNC Dietetics and Nutrition department coordinates with UNC Extended Campus to be able to bring this program to you online.
Two Distance Dietetic Program (DDP) Options
- DPD-Only – The Didactic Dietetics Education Certificate Program is for those who already have a bachelor's degree and only wish to complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements. See the official UNC Undergraduate Catalog listing.
- Bachelors Degree – The Dietetics Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is for those who want to complete their bachelor’s degree, or seek a second bachelor's degree, in a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). See the official UNC Undergraduate Catalog listing.
No matter which program you choose, some required coursework will be completed prior to or during your enrollment in this Distance Dietetic Program. These courses are taken at a regionally accredited institution where you live, or online, and transferred in to UNC. See the Eligibility & Transfer Credit tab for details about transferring your previous college credit.
Your degree, whether previously earned or earned at UNC as part of this program, plus completion of the DPD requirements will earn you a Verification Statement. This statement will permit you to apply for dietetic internships on your path to becoming a registered dietitian. For more information visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
The DPD requirements include 30 courses (75 credit hours), of which UNC provides 15 courses (31 credit hours) online.
All 30 DPD courses must be completed whether you are pursuing the DPD-only or the BS degree. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and grades of C or better (C- is not acceptable) in all program-required courses to earn a Verification Statement making them eligible to apply for the accredited dietetic internship programs as the next step toward achieving dietetic registration upon completion of the program.
Descriptions of the 30 courses and their prerequisites can be found in the Distance Dietetic Program Curriculum Guide.
UNC DDP Curriculum (31 Credit Hours)
UNC offers the following 15 courses (31 credits) online. Spring and Fall semesters follow a 16-week semester format. Summer term courses are offered in an 8-week format beginning each June.
To see an list of scheduled didactic online program courses per term, visit an example Current Program Students page.
Summer Term (1st)
- FND 252 Nutrition in the Life Cycle (3 credits – 8 weeks)
- FND 310 Introduction to Foods (2 credits – 8 weeks)
- FND 310L Introduction fo Foods Lab (2 credits – 8 weeks)
Fall Semester (1st)
- FND 370 Nutrition Education and Application Strategies (3 credits – 16 weeks)
- FND 430 Nutrition Assessment and Intervention (2 credits – 16 weeks)
- FND 430L Nutrition Assessment and Intervention Laboratory (1 credit lab – 16 weeks)
Spring Semester (1st)
- FND 431 Medical Nutrition Intervention (2 credits – 16 weeks)
- FND 431L Medical Nutrition Intervention Laboratory (1 credit lab – 16 weeks)
- FND 451 Advanced Nutrition (3 credits – 16 weeks)
Summer Term (2nd)
- FND 320 Nutrition Applications in Foodservice (2 credits – 8 weeks)
- FND 320L Nutrition Applications in Foodservice Laboratory (1 credit lab – 8 weeks)
- FND 452 Community Nutrition (3 credits – 8 weeks)
Fall Semester (2nd)
- FND 410 Professional Development Seminar (2 credits – 16 weeks)
- FND 446 Food Service Systems Management (3 credits – 16 weeks)
- FND 446L Food Service Systems Management Laboratory (1 credit lab – 16 weeks)
Dietetics Bachelor of Science Graduation Requirements
If you are earning a first bachelor's degree from UNC as part of this program you will need to complete 120 total credit hours, including the 30 DPD courses listed above and the requirements below.
Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Coursework
UNC's Liberal Arts Curriculum provides students with a grounding in the liberal arts that is infused with critical and creative inquiry, and which also satisfies the six general education areas required for undergraduate degree programs at all public higher education institutions in the state of Colorado.
Many of these courses will potentially be fulfilled from your transferred credit.
View the current LAC requirements and policies. Course requirements by category (with links to list of eligible courses) are available at the bottom of the page.
Please note additional LAC stipulations for this program: the following courses are recommended for their LAC categories; they will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
- Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies, and International Studies: PSY 120
- Mathematics: STAT 150
- Natural and Physical Sciences: BIO 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 111L and FND 250
- Written Communication: SCI 291
Waiver of Liberal Arts Curriculum Requirements
Individuals with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or a Bachelor’s degree (regardless of date of completion) from a regionally accredited institution will have their Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements waived. See the Undergraduate Catalog for more information about LAC waiver and transfer evaluation policies.
University-Wide Credits
You will complete additional credit hours to achieve the minimum credits required for UNC graduation. For this degree, that will typically be 23 credit hours.
Taking Prerequisite, LAC or Other Courses Online
If you are missing any of this coursework:
- The UNC Course Search – use the "Go to schedule of classes" button (many LAC course offerings are during Summer sessions; UNC does not currently have online LAC courses in the following subjects: Math, and Science with lab).
- The Colorado Department of Higher Education lists public Colorado universities that offer distance learning courses.
- You can also search for online courses at Colorado Community Colleges Online.
Get Started/Apply
Additional Resources
- Learn more about the Nutrition and Dietetics Faculty.
- The Dietetics BS degree is also offered as a traditional on-campus DPD program.
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND): 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606; Phone: 312-899-5400.
