Questions about CADE-accredited or approved dietetics education programs

Frequently Asked Questions: About CADE-accredited or approved dietetics education programs

  1. What is the difference between a Coordinated Program (CP) and a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)?
  2. Is there a ranking of dietetics education programs by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) or the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)?
  3. If CADE and ADA do not rank programs, what factors should I consider when deciding on a school?
  4. There is not a dietetics education program convenient to my home. Can I complete the requirements by distance education?
  5. Is there a list of courses I need to take?

  1. What is the difference between a Coordinated Program (CP) and a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)?
    A DPD grants at least a bachelor's degree (some grant a master's degree) and is CADE-accredited or approved for only the required dietetics coursework. After you complete DPD requirements you will then need to apply for and be accepted into a CADE-accredited Dietetic Internship Program (DI) to complete the supervised practical experience required to be a registered dietitian (RD). You must successfully complete an accredited DI and obtain a Verification Statement from the director of the DI in order to be eligible to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians. Currently, there are more than 200 CADE-accredited or approved DPDs and more than 250 CADE-accredited DIs in the United States.

    A CP may be a bachelor or master's degree program that combines the required dietetics coursework and supervised practical experience. A CP is CADE-accredited to provide both the academic and supervised practice components necessary to be a RD. Graduates of CPs who are verified by the program director are eligible to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians. Currently there are approximately 50 CADE-accredited CPs within the United States.

    Although there are two routes to becoming a RD with different time frames, degrees, etc., one type of program is not superior to another. All CADE-accredited or approved programs meet quality standards. Which route and which programs to consider are individual decisions based on many personal factors. For factors to consider when choosing a program see question number three. You can access the contact information from the lists of CADE-accredited or approved DPD, CP and DI programs.

  2. Is there a ranking of dietetics education programs by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) or the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)?
    Neither CADE nor ADA rate or rank programs.  All CADE-accredited or approved programs meet the Accreditation Standards, which signifies that the programs provide the knowledge, skills, and/or competencies you need to enter the dietetics profession. These accredited or approved programs meet the requirements for membership in ADA and registration by Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

  3. If CADE and ADA do not rank programs, what factors should I consider when deciding on a school?
    This decision is a very personal one that should be made based on a variety of factors that are important to you, such as:
    • Size of school and program—would you be more comfortable in a small private school or a large state (public) university?
    • Cost—can you afford a private school or is a state-supported school a better value for you?
    • Available financial aid—what resources are available to you?
    • Geographic location—do you prefer a rural or urban setting, residential or commuter school?
    • Faculty composition and qualifications—have you visited the Web site or campus and talked with faculty?
    • Degree awarded—are you interested in a bachelor's or master's degree?
    • Success of graduates in obtaining internship placement and jobs—how well do graduates do after completing the program?
    • Success of graduates in pursuing career goals—what are your career goals and do they match the goals of the program?

    Talk with the program directors at the schools you are interested in attending, discuss the program, and ask to visit. It is sometimes helpful to talk with current students and graduates or RDs and DTRs located in the area near the program to acquire information that may be helpful in making a decision.

  4. There is not a dietetics education program convenient to my home. Can I complete the requirements by distance education?
    Many programs offer one or more courses by distance education and are identified in each list (CPs; DPDs). Because distance education is evolving you will need to contact the individual program to determine current information about coursework available by distance. Currently there are two CADE-accredited or approved distance education DPDs that allow a student to complete all the coursework requirements for becoming a RD. These are at the University of Northern Colorado, Greely and Kansas State University. There is one CADE-accredited distance education CP at Eastern Michigan University.

    Currently, there are three CADE-accredited DT programs that enable you complete the requirements for becoming a DTR by distance. They are at Pennsylvania State University, Central Arizona College and Cosumnes River College in California.

    Information about distance education can be accessed from the lists of CADE-accredited or approved programs.

  5. Is there a list of courses I need to take?
    There is no recommended list of courses. Each dietetics education program is accredited or approved by CADE based on how the entire curriculum meets CADE Accreditation Standards. Therefore, individuals must contact the academic program that they are interested in attending to obtain the specific requirements for that program. Program curricula may vary somewhat depending on how the content of courses is structured to meet the Foundation Knowledge, Skills and Competencies for an entry-level RD or DTR. You can access the Knowledge and Skills and Competency Requirements for Entry-Level Dietitians and the Foundation Knowledge and Skills and Competency Requirements for Entry-Level Dietetic Technicians and view a summary of curriculum requirements. You can access the contact information from the lists of CADE-accredited or approved DPD, CP and DI programs.

June 2004

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