To become an RDN, students must complete required coursework as well as 1,200 hours of supervised practice from an accredited program and then pass a national examination. Required courses include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, diet selection and planning, and food service systems management.
At Purdue, students complete all required coursework for dietetics in the Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPND), and then apply to either an outside dietetics internship or the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) at Purdue to complete the required supervised practice. Upon completion of supervised practice, students are eligible to sit for the national registration examination for dietitians.
Purdue’s placement rate into supervised practice (internship or CPD) is approximately 90%, compared to a national dietetic internship placement rate of approximately 50%. Additionally, we offer an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) as an alternative route for students who do not secure a traditional dietetic internship.
Careers in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Hospitals, clinics or healthcare facilities
- Food service management (e.g. hospital or school food service systems)
- Clinical nutrition management
- Community and public health
- Sports nutrition
- Corporate wellness
- Food and nutrition-related business and industry
- Journalism/Nutrition communication
- Private practice/consultant
- Research
- University educator
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