Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD)

Learning Format

On-Campus

Types

Bachelor's
Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD)

The Fast-track to Becoming a Dietitian

Our Food and Nutrition Major has the only 4+1 Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) in Massachusetts and is the fastest path to become a registered dietitian. In this program, you can complete all coursework and supervised practice and earn both a bachelor’s and a master's degree to become eligible to take the registered dietitian nutritionist exam in just 5 years, compared to the standard 6-year pathways you’ll find at most other institutions. FSU’s Coordinated Program graduates up to twenty-four graduate students ready to sit for the national Registration Exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists.

Recent graduates of Framingham State University's accredited CPD program have a rolling 3-year pass rate of over 98% on the national Registered Dietitian Examination within 1 year of first attempt and 100% of those seeking employment were employed in a dietetics or related field within 12 months of graduation. The program will prepare you to function as an entry-level dietitian in a variety of dietetics fields including, but not limited to, medical teams, food service directors, or community nutritionists. 

In the CPD program, you will take the didactic academic courses coordinated with supervised practice experiences. This allows you to 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. As a result, 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 a minimum of three different facilities.

Major Requirements

Major Requirements

The General Education Requirement

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) and laboratory requirement are satisfied through the completion of the major requirements.

Course Prerequisites

Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

Major core requirements (7):

  • NUTR 110 Fundamentals of Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 262 / 262L Food, Culture, and Society with Lab
  • NUTR 364 / 364L Experimental Study of Food with Lab
  • NUTR 381 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
  • NUTR 384 Foodservice Systems
  • NUTR 478 Community Nutrition
  • NUTR 482 Management of Food and Nutrition Services

All new students, both First-Year or Transfers, admitted into the Food & Nutrition major are placed in this pre-concentration. When students are enrolled in or have completed CHEM 300 Principles of Biochemistry, they must apply to either the Nutrition and Dietetics or Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentration.

General Dietetics Studies Pre-concentration (UFNG)

This pre-concentration begins preparation to become a registered dietitian.

Note: The pre-concentration requirements do not apply to the Nutrition and Food Service Management concentration.

Pre-Concentration Requirements (6 courses):

  • BIOL 130  / 130L Principles of Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 235 / 235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 241 / 241L Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab and
  • BIOL 242 / 242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
  • CHEM 107 / 107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 108 / 108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
  • CHEM 207 / 207L Organic Chemistry I with Lab
  • CHEM 300 / 300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab

Entrance into the CPD is by application only. Applications are accepted in the spring semester for entrance the following fall. You must be matriculated as either an undergraduate or graduate student to apply to the CPD. Click here to access the CPD application form. Click here to access the Coordinated Program in Dietetics Policy and Procedure Student Handbook.

The Nutrition and Dietetics and the Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; 312-899-0040, extension 5400; https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

Program learning outcome data for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics is available on request from the Department Chair or the Coordinated Program in Dietetics Director.

Framingham State University faculty member in front of blackboard

Program Information

Helpful Resources

Two Students walking on FSU Campus
  1. Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college including course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program and a graduate degree to receive a Verification Statement. The accredited supervised practice program can be combined with undergraduate or graduate studies through a Coordinated Program OR through a Post-Baccalaureate Dietetic Internship at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation affiliated with a graduate degree granting organization.
  3. Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

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 in Dietetics (CPD) BS/MS 4+1 at Framingham State University are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.  Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics at Framingham State University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program to become an RDN.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the FSU CPD program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has accredited both Nutrition and Dietetics (Didactic Program in Dietetics) and Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Framingham State University.

 

REQUIRED NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY AND PROCEDURE TO FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with the accreditation standards.  ACEND is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dietetics education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff, or students. 

Complaints should be submitted directly to ACEND only after all other options with the program and institution have been exhausted.  A copy of the accreditation standards and/or ACEND’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Education and Accreditation staff at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chica­go, Illinois 60606-6995 or by calling 312-899-0040, Extension 5400.

Written complaints should be mailed to the Chair, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics at the above address.

Meet Our Director

Andrea Gorman

Andrea Gorman, Ph.D., MS, RD, LDN

Professor, Director, Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Nutrition & Health Studies Department
(508) 626-4759
agorman1@framingham.edu
Hemenway Hall

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