Frequently Asked Questions: About CADE-Accredited Dietetics Education Programs

1. What is the difference between a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and a Coordinated Program (CP)?
   A DPD grants at least a bachelor's degree (some grant a master's degree) and is CADE-accredited for only the required dietetics coursework. After you complete DPD requirements you will then need to apply for and be accepted into a CADE-accredited Dietetic Internship Program (DI) to complete the supervised practical experience required to be a RD. You must successfully complete a CADE-accredited DI and obtain a Verification Statement from the director of the DI in order to be eligible to write the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) registration examination for dietitians. Currently, there are more than 200 CADE-accredited DPDs and more than 250 CADE-accredited DIs in the United States.
   
   A CP may be a bachelor or master's degree program that combines the required dietetics coursework and supervised practical experience. A CP is CADE-accredited to provide both the academic and supervised practice components necessary to be a RD. Graduates of CPs who are verified by the program director are eligible to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians. Currently there are approximately 50 CADE-accredited CPs within the United States.
   
   Although there are two routes to becoming a RD with different time frames, degrees, etc., one type of program is not superior to another. All CADE-accredited programs meet quality standards. Which route and which programs to consider are individual decisions based on many personal factors. For factors to consider when choosing a program see question number three. You can access contact information from the lists of CADE-accredited DPD, CP and DI programs.
   
   
2. Is there a ranking of dietetics education programs by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) or the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)?
   Neither CADE nor ADA rate or rank programs.  All CADE-accredited programs meet the Accreditation Standards, which signifies that the programs provide the knowledge, skills, and/or competencies you need to enter the dietetics profession. These accredited programs meet the requirements for membership in ADA and registration by CDR.
   
   
3. If CADE and ADA do not rank programs, what factors should I consider when deciding on a school?
   This decision is a very personal one that should be made based on a variety of factors that are important to you, such as:
   
   • Size of school and program—would you be more comfortable in a small private school or a large state (public) university?
     
   • Cost—can you afford a private school or is a state-supported school a better value for you?
     
   • Available financial aid—what resources are available to you?
     
   • Geographic location—do you prefer a rural or urban setting, residential or commuter school?
     
   • Faculty composition and qualifications—have you visited the Web site or campus and talked with faculty?
     
   • Degree awarded—are you interested in a bachelor's or master's degree?
     
   • Success of graduates in obtaining internship placement and jobs—how well do graduates do after completing the program?
     
   • Success of graduates in pursuing career goals—what are your career goals and do they match the goals of the program?

   Talk with the program directors at the schools you are interested in attending, discuss the program, and ask to visit. It is sometimes helpful to talk with current students and graduates or RDs and DTRs located in the area near the program to acquire information that may be helpful in making a decision.

4. There is not a dietetics education program convenient to my home. Can I complete the requirements by distance education?
   Many programs offer one or more courses by distance education and are identified in each list (CPs; DPDs). Because distance education is evolving you will need to contact the individual program to determine current information about coursework available by distance. Currently there are two CADE-accredited distance education DPDs that allow a student to complete all the coursework requirements necessary to apply to an accredited DI program for becoming a RD. These are at the University of Northern Colorado, Greely and Kansas State University. There is one CADE-accredited distance education CP at Eastern Michigan University.
   
   Currently, there are three CADE-accredited DT programs that enable you complete the requirements for becoming a DTR by distance. They are at Community College of Allegheny County, Central Arizona College and Cosumnes River College in California.
   
   Information about distance education can be accessed from the lists of CADE-accredited programs.

5. Will getting my master's degree in nutrition meet the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian (RD)?
   Not unless the program is accredited by CADE. CADE does not accredit graduate programs except for those designed to meet entry-level educational requirements. Currently, there are a few DPDs and CPs that grant only master's degrees; others may have both bachelor's and master's tracks. Sometimes, one can complete the coursework requirements for becoming a RD and take graduate course work at the same time if there is a CADE-accredited and graduate school in the same university that work together. The lists of CADE-accredited DPDs and CPs on this Web site include the degree(s) granted by each program. Contact the schools you are interested in attending. You will need to check with the Dietetics Program Director before starting graduate coursework if you choose this route.
   
   
6. Is there a list of courses I need to take?
   There is no recommended list of courses. Each dietetics education program is accredited by CADE based on how the entire curriculum meets CADE Accreditation Standards. Therefore, individuals must contact the academic program that they are interested in attending to obtain the specific requirements for that program. Program curricula may vary somewhat depending on how the content of courses is structured to meet the Foundation Knowledge, Skills and Competencies for an entry-level RDs or DTRs. You can access the Foundation Knowledge and Competencies for Entry-Level Dietitians and the Foundation Knowledge and Competencies for Entry-Level Dietetic Technicians and view a summary of curriculum requirements. You can access contact information from the lists of CADE-accredited programs.
   
   
7. Is the Dietetic Technician (DT) Program a stepping-stone to the programs to become a RD?
   Individuals who complete an associate degree in a CADE-accredited DT Program may be able to transfer academic credits to a bachelor's degree CP or DPD Program. Some DT Programs have established articulation agreements that specify the coursework that will be accepted as transfer credit. For those DT Programs without formal agreements, it is necessary to confer with the CP or DPD Program Director to determine if the courses you have completed will be accepted as fulfilling some of the curriculum requirements for becoming a RD.
   
   Currently, there is one CADE-accredited CP program for DTRs who want to become RDs. This CP is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Other DT programs with articulation agreements can be found in the list of Dietetic Technician Programs.

July 2009