Dietetics and Nutrition, BS

This program is available in the following Florida campuses:

Lakeland, Melbourne, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie

Program Description

The Keiser University Dietetics and Nutrition Coordinated Program offers a concentration in Medical Nutrition Therapy at the Lakeland, Pembroke Pines and Port St. Lucie Campuses. The program concentration in Health Promotion Disease Prevention is offered at the Melbourne Campus.

Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition combines clinical evaluation, community concerns, and food service management into a profession long valued for its service to individuals and the community at large and focused on proper nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics is unique since the didactic instruction is integrated with the supervised practice.  Following graduation, students are   eligible to take the Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) examination.  Upon successful completion of this exam, the RD/RDN is eligible for licensure in Florida or any other state that licenses dietitians/nutritionists.

Keiser University Melbourne, Lakeland, Pembroke Pines and Port St Lucie ‘s Nutrition and Dietetics Education Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, USA, 800-877-1600 ext. 5400, eatright.org/acend.

Please Note: 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 addition, CDR will continue to require that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited coordinated Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition program at Keiser University are eligible to take the credentialing exam for RDNs upon completion of the program. If the program is not completed before Jan 1 2024, however, graduates will also be required to earn a graduate degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN. The graduate degree can be earned prior to enrolling in the BSDN program or after completing the BSDN program at Keiser University. A graduate degree includes a master’s degree, practice doctorate, doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.Dor, D.Sc.). The graduate degree may also be in any area, provided it is granted by a U.S regionally accredited college/university, or foreign equivalent. All other entry-level dietitian registration eligibility requirements remain the same. Provided registration eligibility is established prior to January 1, 2024 a graduate degree will not be required.

Program Mission

The mission of the coordinated program in Dietetics and Nutrition is to provide a comprehensive baccalaureate program, inclusive of a high quality didactic curriculum and supervised practice, preparing students for entry-level practice as Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in a diverse environment demonstrating professionalism, leadership, and a commitment to service community needs.

Program Goals

• Prepare a diverse population of graduates for successful careers as Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in a variety of settings.
• Graduates will be committed to professionalism, leadership, and service to the community while working as Registered Dietitians/ Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

Student Estimated Costs

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Program Objectives

• At least 80% percent of the program’s students complete program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of program length).
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or a related field within 12 months of graduation.
• 80% of employers will report on the work setting of graduates.
• Over a 3-year period, 80% of employer responses will indicate via the employer survey, graduates first year performance rate “average (3) to excellent (5).”
• 20% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will report involvement in leadership and/or community activities.

Prerequisites for Major Courses

• Background check and drug screening when applicable.
• Minimum grade of “C” for general education courses.
• Successful completion of BSC2085C, BSC2086C, MCB2000C, STA2023, MAC2015, CGS1000C*, ENC1101*, ENC1102*, CHM2045, CHM 2045L, CHM2046, CHM2046L, HUN2201, BCH1020C, PSY1012* or SYG1000* and AML1000* or ENL1000* or CWL1000* and ECO2013* or ECO1023* are prerequisites for the major.
• Minimum cumulative grade average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.
• BSDN Students must successfully complete the didactic core courses in order to enter the supervised practice phase.

Courses marked with * are general education requirements but are not required prerequisite courses for entrance into the Core courses at the Melbourne Campus.

Alternate Pathways:
(Available only at Lakeland, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie campuses. The Alternative Pathway is not available at the Melbourne campus location.)

Graduates of an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) who meet the following requirements may apply for the Alternate Pathway Option. Graduates of this alternate pathway option receive a BS in Dietetics and Nutrition, completing the supervised practice and four courses to establish residency ( HUN 4445 Nutrition and Disease 1, HUN 4446C Nutrition and Disease 2, DIE 4365 Dietetics Management of Nutrition Programs, DIE 4506 Seminar in Dietetics and Nutrition). These graduates are also eligible to sit for the RD/RDN exam.

• Submit an original copy of a Verification Statement.
• Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Provide two letters of reference
• Submit a one page letter of applications that includes, but is not limited to work and volunteer experience, projected focus in the field of dietetics and an overview of the applicant’s desire to become a practicing Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
• Complete an interview with the Program Coordinator or Program Director
• Take a pretest to establish placement in a cohort

Graduates of the alternate pathway option receive a BS in Dietetics and Nutrition. Requirements for graduation from the alternate pathway option include the successful completion of four core courses and the supervised practice.

Other Considerations:

• Criminal Background Checks, both Level 1 and Level 2 are required at various stages of the program, and are at the student’s expense.
• 10-panel drug testing is required before supervised practice and at the discretion of the supervised practice site, and is at the student’s expense.
• Uniforms and lab coats are required during core classes and supervised practice, and are at the student’s expense.
• Travel to and from supervised practice sites is at the student’s expense.
• Students may participate in the selection process at Supervised Practice sites offering stipends when that opportunity is available. Keiser University neither is a part of nor involved in the stipend recipient selection process.

Program Outline

To receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, students must earn 120.0 credit hours. Program requirements are as follows:

Program Outcomes

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State Licensure Disclosure

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