Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited coordinated program at Howard University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
The Coordinated Program (CP) in Dietetics prepares students to obtain the Registered Dietitian (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:
- Complete a master’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)
- Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program
- 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 Dietetics is an entry-level graduate program concentration for graduate students in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The Program, housed within the Department of Nutritional Sciences, in the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and governed by the Graduate school, is designed to allow for the integration of classroom instruction with 1,120 hours of supervised practice. The program is a concentration in the two-year degree program which culminates in:
- the MS degree in Nutritional Sciences;
- eligibility to apply to write the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists, when verified by the program director as having successfully met the minimum academic requirements.
The CP, which is four semesters in duration, is designed to provide students with a minimum of 1,120 supervised practice hours and emphasizes a combination of simulated and practical experiences in clinical, community and management settings. Concepts acquired in didactic courses are coordinated with “hands on” experiences in practice settings, under the supervision of nutrition and dietetics professionals. Courses must be taken in sequential order.
To learn more about this and all other information about the program, contact:
Dr. Katherine Manuel Dietetics
Program Director
Main Office Phone: (202) 250-6772
We invite you to register for a virtual open house, held on the third Monday of every month.
Interim Chair
Dr. Katherine Manuel, Ph.D., RD, LDN, FAND
Phone: (202) 250-6772
To apply for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Howard University please complete this GradCas application found here: https://gs.howard.edu/nutritional-sciences-ms.
Howard University Application Deadlines
| APPLICATION TYPE | APPLICATION DEADLINE FALL | APPLICATION DEADLINE SPRING |
|---|---|---|
| EARLY DEADLINE | DECEMBER 1 | N/A |
| EARLY ACTION | FEBRUARY 15 | N/A |
| FINAL DEADLINE | APRIL 15 | NOVEMBER 1 |
*The CP enrolls students only in the fall semester.
For details, please visit: https://gs.howard.edu/application-deadlines-requirements
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. Additional details regarding the cost of attendance can be found on the University’s website at: https://financialservices.howard.edu/tuition-fees/tuition-faqs/cost-attendance/2023-2024-estimated-cost-attendance
All students enrolled in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics must pay a professional fee of $250.00 each year. This fee is utilized toward payment of the registration fees at select professional meetings, and purchase of a RDN exam review program in the second year of the program. The professional fee is a subsidized cost paid by the CP students for access to these services. Any remaining balances that remain after professional fee funds have been applied, will be covered by the program.
| Required Program Element | Cost ($)* |
| Health Insurance Coverage (UnitedHealthCare)** | 2000.00 |
| Books/Supplies/Web Subscriptions | 700.00 |
| Meals during practicums/supervised practice | 300.00 |
| Travel to and from practice sites | 450.00 |
| Professional Lab Fee | 250.00 |
| Background Check | 49.50 |
| Lab Coats | 60.00 |
| Required Student Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Optional: Membership in NOBIDAN) | 58.00-68.00 |
| Graduation Costs (Graduation Fee, Cap and Gown) | 150.00 |
*Costs listed are in addition to the cost of tuition and tuition fees for a graduate degree at Howard University.
**To see rates for dependents and additional details about available plans, visit UnitedHealthCare's Howard University page at: https://www.uhcsr.com/school-page
Howard University’s Financial Aid Program provides assistance in the form of scholarships, loans, grants and part-time employment. Almost all financial aid awards are made to students who demonstrate that their financial resources are insufficient to meet the cost of attending Howard University. Certain scholarships, however, may be awarded solely on the basis of academic excellence. Priority to receive awards is given to applicants with the greatest financial need when funds are limited, and where need is an eligibility criterion. All awards are made subject to the availability of student aid funds, administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment.
Financial aid awards may only be used to pay educational costs incurred during the period covered by the financial aid award letter. Awards may not be used to satisfy past indebtedness to the University. Students who receive financial aid awards or whose applications have been denied must reapply by written request to receive consideration for future financial aid funds during the same financial award year.
Students whose family resources are insufficient to meet the cost of attending the University are encouraged to apply for aid from the University and federally-supported programs administered by the Financial Aid Office. Students may also apply for competitive awards. Visit the Graduate School’s website for details: Graduate School Competitive Awards | The Graduate School (howard.edu).
Eligibility for Financial Aid
All applicants who wish to receive consideration for financial aid must enroll at least half-time and be degree-seeking students. Although the criteria for several federal programs allow recipients to enroll half-time, the University gives priority to needy full-time students due to limited program funds. Applicants for federally supported programs must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Permanent residents will be required to submit evidence of this status.
Financial aid applicants must meet satisfactory progress standards. Additional information about financial aid can be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid office at https://www2.howard.edu/student-financial-services/contact or finaid@howard.edu. The telephone number is 855-490-2875.
Assistantships
The Department of Nutritional Sciences, through the Graduate School offers two assistantships a year that cover the cost of tuition and a stipend. These assistantships are available to exceptional students who have been at the University for at least one year, without full-time employment. These assistantships require 15 to 20 hours/week of work commitment to the Department of Nutritional Sciences. Interested students should contact the Chairperson to apply. To learn more, visit the Graduate School’s website: https://gs.howard.edu/academics/academic-regulations/article-ix-graduate-assistantships
The program generally follows the Howard University Academic Calendar .
The Univeristy calendar is followed with the exception of observed holidays and spring break which are spent on rotation during the final semester of the program.
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
https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
The next accreditation cycle ends in 2029. Program outcome data are available upon request.
FAQs
How do I become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)?
Individuals must meet the following criteria to earn the RDN credential:
- Receive a master’s degree from a US regionally accredited university or college and complete course work approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Complete an ACEND - accredited supervised practice program (minimum of 1000 hours) at a health care facility, community agency, or a food service corporation, or combined with graduate studies.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
What is a Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)?
At Howard University, the CP is part of a two-year MS degree program that combines both the 1000 hours of required practical/supervised practice (clinical, community, management) and didactic (course work) components required of dietetic programs accredited by ACEND. Upon completion of the Coordinated Program, graduates are eligible to take the RDN exam without further education or an internship.
What makes the Howard University Program unique?
The program’s location in the nation’s capital makes it uniquely positioned to expose students to a variety of experiences via supervised practice in a variety of settings. These include but are not limited to the DC Department of Health, military, and other hospitals in the DMV area, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, WIC, Private Practice, Sodexo Food Service, advocacy on Capitol Hill, and several professional conferences and meetings including the Academy’s annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE). All program graduates who seek jobs are employed within 2 months or less after graduation. The CP places all students in rotations and covers the cost of registration at conferences and professional meetings.
What is the cost of the program at Howard University?
The program cost (tuition, fees, books, transportation) excluding accommodation is approximately $40,000/year. See details here: Howard University Tuition
Does the program offer scholarships?
The program does not offer departmental scholarships. However, there are a variety of competitive funding opportunities that are available. Program faculty are happy to discuss these options with you. You may also review potential funding sources by visiting the links below:
Do I have to be a full-time student in the CP?
Yes. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics curriculum is offered only as a full-time option.
Can I be employed while doing the CP?
Not recommended. The CP is demanding with significant time commitment needed to complete all didactic courses and supervised practice hours in two years. Every effort should be made to devote as much time as possible to ensuring success in the program.
Are online courses available?
Not at this time. All courses in the CP are offered in-person.
If I have a BS degree from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) can I apply to a CP, and how long will it take for me to complete the program?
Yes. We are happy to review your transcript to determine whether all prerequisite courses have been fulfilled. Once the initial admission criteria have been satisfactorily fulfilled, applicants will be invited for an interview with CP faculty. The minimum duration of the program is two years (four semesters). This assumes that all prerequisite courses have been fulfilled. Once admitted, the CP must be completed within a maximum of 3 years of admission. To learn more about admissions criteria, please visit the HU Graduate School’s website: https://gs.howard.edu/nutritional-sciences-ms
Will courses from my graduate DPD or other graduate program count toward requirements for the CP?
A limited number of credits (maximum of 2 courses) taken at the graduate level will be transferable to the CP. The majority of the courses must be taken in the CP at Howard University. Your transcript will be evaluated by the program director, and credit awarded accordingly.
What if I have a BS or an MS in a non-nutrition-related field, can I apply to the CP program?
Yes. However, keep in mind that you will need to fulfill all prerequisites in order to be considered for acceptance into the CP. Please review the Academic Plan on the Howard University CP website: HU CP Plan of Study
As a high school student, how can I prepare for acceptance to the CP?
A strong background in natural sciences, good communication skills (both oral and written) and nutrition-related volunteer activities/service hours would be advantageous to you.
What if I have additional questions?
The program director, Dr. Katherine Manuel, will be happy to answer any additional questions. To schedule an appointment, please contact our Admin Coordinator, Ms. Felicia Thompson via email at felicia.thompson@howard.edu.
Also, we invite you to attend one of our open house sessions. Please register here: Register to Attend an HU CP Open House Session