Nutrition & Dietetics Bachelor's Degree

If you are a new student applying to college for the first time, follow these steps:

1. Apply to UTSA using ApplyTexas or CommonApp. Apply as an undergraduate student, and select Nutrition and Dietetics.
2. All applicants accepted to UTSA will be admitted into Life and Health Science Studies until all program requirements for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) can be met when enrolled at UTSA.
3. Keep in touch with your advisor during your first two years to ensure you are meeting all the program requirements.
   • By your junior year, or when you have satisfied all the pre-requisites and meet program requirements (GPA, etc.), submit a program application with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.
   • Applying to the Dietetic Program requires submitting a program application and completing a personal interview. The application includes submitting your unofficial transcripts, two completed reference letters, a resume, a volunteer summary and a statement indicating personal statement with career goals. Eligible applicants will be invited to have a personal interview with the program review committee members

• Once enrolled, meet with your advisor to ensure you are meeting all the pre-requisite courses and program requirements. You can apply to the Dietetics program once all pre-requisite courses and program requirements are met.
  • Applying to the Dietetics Program requires submitting a program application and completing a personal interview. The application includes submitting your unofficial transcripts, two completed reference letters, a resume, a volunteer summary and a statement indicating personal statement with career goals. Eligible applicants will be invited to have a personal interview with the program review committee members.
• Students will be expected to complete the Nutrition and Dietetics bachelor’s degree coursework and practicums and meet the program’s requirements. Upon successful completion, students will transition to the master’s degree.

If your bachelor’s degree in is Nutrition, Dietetics or a related field from an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) accredited University

• Once enrolled, meet with your advisor to ensure you are meeting all the pre-requisite courses and program requirements. You can apply to the Dietetics program once all pre-requisite courses and program requirements are met.
  • Applicants must have a verification statement (official document signed by the Dietetic director certifying a student has successfully completed both a baccalaureate degree and the program’s accredited dietetics coursework requirements) from an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), OR an equivalent baccalaureate degree in nutrition and dietetics from an accredited college or university in the United States OR have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
  • Applying to the Dietetics Program requires submitting a program application and completing a personal interview. The application includes submitting your verification statement, unofficial transcripts, two completed reference letters, a resume, a volunteer summary and a statement indicating personal statement with career goals. Eligible applicants will be invited to have a personal interview with the program review committee members.
• Advanced Standing option admission is reviewed case-by-case and is contingent on accreditation requirements and the number of placements available for the advanced practicum. Students will be expected to complete select undergraduate courses and practicums to meet the program’s requirements.
  • Select undergraduate advanced courses (4000 level), not earned at the previous institution, generally includes Medical Nutrition Therapy II, Production and Foodservice Management II and Community Nutrition or Nutrition in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (or similar type course that meets ACEND competencies). Select undergraduate practicums, not earned at the previous institution, generally includes Applied Food Science, Food Production; Community Nutrition and Nutritional Care Process (Simulation).  Students admitted to the CPD can complete all select undergraduate advanced courses and practicums within the first year of the program.
  • Please note: The Individual Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) is not available.

• The program is demanding and will require students to manage their time effectively. Undergraduate students in their junior and senior year will attend daily classes and will begin to obtain practicum hours off-site.
• Graduate students in their final year will take graduate level courses on Monday and will work in off-site facilities Tuesday through Friday (32 hours per week). The length of the internship (graduate year) is two academic semesters: Fall (August through mid-December) and Spring (mid-January through end of May).
  • Practicum/Internship components mainly consist of community dietetics, clinical dietetics, and food service management; however, interns will also gain experience in child nutrition, diabetes, obesity, pediatric nutrition, cancer therapy, bariatrics and culinary medicine.
• The program follows the UTSA Academic Calendar; the University-designated holidays and semester breaks, when scheduling classes and practicums. Program-specific course schedule and practicums will be made available through the UTSA Website.
• The schedule for the advanced practicum is planned by the Dietetic Director following, as closely as possible, the academic calendar to fulfill the required contact hours of supervised experiences.
  • Occasionally, a student may be expected at a supervised practice during a weekend, and given time off during the week. At times, it may be necessary to adjust a rotation schedule to accommodate the calendar and operations of the facilities (i.e., school district, WIC or Head Start calendar needs).
• Note: A criminal background check is a requirement during the semesters in which a student enrolls in field-based practicums. Students will be required to submit a Criminal Record Check for practicums associated with schools, health care facilities, hospitals, and clinics.
  • It is the responsibility of the student to determine if his or her criminal history background will present a problem before applying for admission to the program.
  • Students with problematic criminal history will not be able to complete most of the field-experiences that are required by the program. Acknowledgment of Criminal Background Check

Requirements for students to receive the verification statement. The dietetic student will be expected to demonstrate core knowledge and entry-level competency (see definition below) in nutrition and dietetics by successfully fulfilling the course and experiential requirements defined by the Coordinated Program in Dietetics, in accordance to UTSA, CDR and ACEND policies.

Entry-level competence is defined as: a set of specific knowledge, ability, skills, and values; behaviors expected of a practitioner (during the first 3 years of practice); and the minimum level of performance requiring speed and accuracy consistent with providing optima service or care to patients or clients. (Ref. 2012 ACEND DE Standards, pgs. 75, 78)

Eligibility for the Registration Examination, the Student Must Have:

• met the learning outcomes for the courses (or equivalents) in the curriculum, by earning a grade of “C” or above
• attained the competencies outlined for the supervised practice with average scores of 2 or above
• graduated with a 3.0 GPA
• earned a Master of Dietetics Studies

When Do Eligible Students Receive the Verification Statement?

Upon successful fulfillment of all program requirements described above, the student will receive a verification statement upon completion of the MDS degree. Students will be recommended to CDR to write the registration examination in dietetics. The verification statement will be presented to the student immediately after graduation. Students may request mailing of the statement if not present at graduation. Copies of verification records will be kept on file in the Dietetics Director’s office indefinitely and will be available to former students upon request.

CPD Student Handbook 2023-2024