Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Applying - Selection - Course Requirements - Supervised Practice - Cost

The American Dietetic Association requires Registered Dietitians to complete didactic academic courses, to participate in 900 hours of supervised practice, and to take a national Registration Exam.

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) allows students to take the academic courses coordinated with the supervised practice experience. Students in Framingham State College's accredited program have a high pass rate on the national exam. The program prepares the student to function as an entry-level dietitian on the medical team, a foodservice director, or a community nutritionist.

You enhance your learning by simultaneously applying textbook knowledge to real life situations (supervised practice experiences). On campus, you exchange ideas with other students in seminars coordinated with classroom topics. In this way , you develop knowledge and skills in critical thinking, management, communications, counseling and technology. To broaden your exposure to the nutrition field, you will be placed at three different facilities.

Applying to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics

To apply for the CPD, you must first be accepted to either the B.S. or M.S. program, full or part-time. For undergraduates, a minimum second semester sophomore standing is required.

Applications are accepted in the spring for entry the following fall. Applications and faculty references are due by February 28^th. A mandatory applicants' meeting is held in February to review the application process.

Work Experience
Prior to being accepted into the CPD program, a 200 hour work experience in the field is required. This experience satisfies the requirements for 34.002 Orientation to Dietetics requires prior approval from the Director of the Coordinated Program, and must have been completed within 5 years prior to application. A supervisor in this work experience must provide a reference as part of your application.

Course Requirements

Prior to entering the CPD, students must complete the following prerequisites:

• Biology
• Chemistry (2 courses), Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry
• Human Physiology & Anatomy
• General Psychology or Human Development
• Nutrition Science (introductory course)
• Food, Culture and Society

Anatomy and physiology and biochemistry courses must have been completed within 5 years prior to application with a C- or better grade. You may inquire about challenge exams.

Further didactic requirements include:

• Experimental Study of Food
• Microbiology
• Human Nutrition Science
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Foodservice Systems
• Foodservice Management
• Community Nutrition

In addition, to the major course requirements, undergraduates must meet the college's General Education Goals. Course descriptions can be found in the FSC Catalog and the Food and Nutrition Major Student Handbook. The Handbook is available upon entrance to FSC, from your advisor, or Hemenway Hall 111.

Here is a recommended course sequence.

Transferring Courses
Transfer courses taken prior to entrance to the College are evaluated by the Admissions Office for transfer credit. Transfer students may need three years to complete the B.S. degree and CPD requirements. You may wish to take three laboratory courses in a semester and/or summer coursework to accelerate the completion of program prerequisites.

CPD Selection Process

Admission into the program is competitive and we accept a maximum of 24 students each year. The CPD Student Selection Committee reviews all applications.

The selection criteria include:

• matriculated student in B.S. or M.S. program
• overall QPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale)
• science QPA of 2.0 (4.0 scale)
• faculty references
• 200 hours of work experience in the field
• work reference
• application letter
• activities, service, honors

Notification
Students who clearly meet the qualifications are notified of acceptance before registration for the fall semester. We re-evaluate other applications the first day of the fall term after prerequisite course grades from spring and summer courses and/or work references are available.

CPD students should expect to incur program costs in addition to tuition and college fees.

Supervised Practice Experiences (SP)

In the first year of the CPD, you will spend three or four hours each week either at an off-campus facility or in a simulated campus lab experience.

In the second year, you will attend academic classes on campus two days a week and complete your SP experience at off-campus facilities during three eight-hour days. Staff relief experiences require sequential days for the SP experience and are scheduled to meet individual course requirements.

Students are required to have an annual physical examination from a health care provider, including a PPD (TB) test. Documentation of up-to-date immunizations is also required. Your health care provider may use the health form from the Framingham Health Services.

Facilities used for the Supervised Practice Experiences
You will be placed in many types of facilities: major medical centers of Boston and Worcester; foodservice in health care, business and industry, schools; and numerous community nutrition programs in the public and private sectors. Most facilities are within a 25-mile radius of Framingham. You will rank your preferences for your SP experiences in the second year of the program. Placements are selected to enhance individual learning and provide opportunities for future career directions.

Part-time completion of the supervised practice
On a space-available basis, the suggested course sequence may be altered. You should speak to the CPD Director concerning alternate scheduling or part-time options.