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 Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics (KiND) coordinates with UNC Extended Campus to be able to bring this program to you online.

Visit the Department's Program Info

Checkmark over books icon to highlight the program details tabs below

Two Distance Dietetic Program (DDP) Options

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.

UNC DDP Curriculum (31 Credit Hours)

UNC offers 15 courses (31 credits) online in this program.

  • To see the full schedule of didactic online program courses, visit the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics (KiND) Curriculum and Course Sequence page which also features descriptions of the courses and their prerequisites.
  • You can also see a rolling sample of scheduled program courses per term on an example Current Students page for this program.

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: certain courses are recommended for this program for some of the LAC categories; they will fulfill both LAC and major requirements. You can see the list of these courses in the Liberal Arts Curriculum section of the Degree Requirements.

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

Some options if you need this additional coursework:

  • The UNC Course Search – use the "Go to schedule of classes" button (online LAC course availability varies by term).
  • You can also search for online courses at Colorado Community Colleges Online or peruse options at any community college, particularly one near you (tuition is often lower for local residents).

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