Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)

Program Mission

In keeping with the mission of Howard University, the mission of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) is to provide quality and innovative educational opportunities for local, national and international students.  Particular emphasis is placed on the education of Black/African American and other ethnically diverse students.  The CP aims to prepare highly competent, compassionate, dedicated, and adaptable generalist entry-level dietitian nutritionists. Graduates are expected to have exemplary careers, assume leadership roles, and seek solutions to human and social problems in the United States and internationally through the practice of dietetics.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal 1

The program will prepare graduates of Black/African American and ethnically diverse backgrounds for entry level positions as competent registered dietitian nutritionists.

Objectives

  1. At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length).

  2. Of graduates who seek employment, 70 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. 

  3. 70 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion

  4. 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%.   

  5. At least 80 percent of employers indicate (agree or strongly agree) on the employer survey that program graduates were prepared for entry-level positions.

  6. At least 80 percent of graduates indicate on the program evaluation survey that they were prepared for entry-level positions as dietitian nutritionists.

Goal 2

 The program will prepare graduates who will be committed to increasing the number of dietitian nutritionists from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the dietetics profession.

Objective

1. At least 50 percent of graduates indicate on an alumni survey completed every three years, involvement in precepting or training future registered dietitian nutritionists from ethnically diverse backgrounds

Steps to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Note:  Effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required for eligibility to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam. For additional information on this requirement, please visit the FAQs page of the Commission on Dietetic Registration website. 

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics prepares students to obtain the Registered Dietician (RD) Nutritionist (RDN) credential awarded by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. There are various paths to obtaining the RD/RDN credential, however regardless of the path chosen, there are three required steps as outlined here:

  1. Complete a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited US college/university or foreign equivalent and receive a verification statement from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

  2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice

  3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's (CDR) dietetic registration exam

Some states require licensure. Upon successful completion of the RDN exam, depending on the state in which the individuals choose to work, licensure may be required. Details about licensure can be found on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics licensure page.

The Coordinated Program in the Dietetics at Howard University is an ACEND-accredited Bachelor of Science Program. The program's curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills to meet the requirements for entry level dietitian nutritionists as well as the supervised practice stipulated by ACEND. Graduates of the program are not required to complete a separate internship program.

Already have a degree? The Nutritional Sciences Department offers a Verfication Program (Three Semester Minimum) for individuals who have a BS Degree and desire to complete the requirements for dietetics registration.

To learn more about this and all other information about the program contact:

Dr. Katherine Manuel

Dietetics Program Director

Phone: 202-865-2389

Email: kmmanuel@howard.edu

See here for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics Course Requirements.

How to Apply

To apply for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Howard University please complete this Application. The application is due January 15th.

Once you have completed the application please send it  along with all supporting documents to the Program Director .

Please Note: You must have already been accepted to Howard University for eligibility to apply to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.

Admission Requirements

Lower Level

Requirements for admission to the lower level are consistent with those of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. First-time entering freshmen considered for admission to the Department of Nutritional Sciences must submit an application to the Howard University Office of Undergraduate Admissions and present proof of having met the following criteria:

  • Graduation from high school or a G.E.D. certificate.
  • A minimum score of 500 mathematics and 500 verbal on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or an equivalent score on the American College Test (ACT).
  • All students admitted as freshman must have completed the following high school units with a grade of “C” or better: English, mathematics, biology, chemistry.

Upper Level

Students who wish to apply to the Upper level of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics must:

  • Complete and submit an application package to the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The package must contain an essay stating goals and reasons for interest in dietetics, 3 letters of recommendation, and the application form.
  • Complete all prerequisite courses or their equivalents required by the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Have a cumulative grade point average of a minimum of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Have a minimal letter grade of “B” in physiology, and nutritional sciences courses. Have no more than one letter grade of “D” in general chemistry, organic chemistry or microbiology.
  • Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of prerequisites as prescribed in the curriculum for the program.
  • Participate in an interview with the Coordinated Program Admission Committee.
Howard University Application Deadlines

Early Decision

Application Deadline- November 1, 2019

Document Deadline- November 15, 2019

Notification- Mid- December

Early Action

Application Deadline- November 1, 2019

Document Deadline- November 15, 2019

Notification- Mid- December

Regular Decision

Application Deadline- February 15, 2020

Document Deadline- March 1, 2020

Notification-Early April

To apply to Howard University, click here to complete the Common Application .

Cost of Attending the Coordinated Program in Dietetics

To learn about the cost of tuition and fees, visit Howard University’s  Tuition Page .

The Board of Trustees of Howard University reserves the right to change tuition, fees, and other charges at any time. Addition program-related costs are as followed:

Books and Supplies- $700.00

Meals (during practicums/supervised practice)- $300.00

Transportation (to and from practice sites)- $450.00

Professional Lab Fee- $200.00

Program Calendar

The program generally follows the Howard University Academic Calendar (Opens into a PDF) .

Accreditation

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Mail:  120 South Riverside Plaza

Suite 2190

Chicago, IL 60606-6995

Email:  ACEND@eatright.org

Phone:  800.877.1600, ext. 5400

The next accreditation cycle occurs in 2021. Program outcome data are available upon request.