Program Information
Dietetics
The K-State Distance Dietetics Program is designed so that students can complete the professional courses in Dietetics via distance education.
Before applying to the distance program to complete the professional courses for the bachelor's degree, students need to take general education courses in written and oral communications, humanities, and the social, physical, and biological sciences. These courses can be taken on the K-State campus in Manhattan or from other institutions. Emphasis is placed on successful completion of Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Environmental Issues in Hospitality I and II (or General Microbiology). Students who wish to take general education courses at institutions other than K-State should visit the K-State transfer equivalency web page prior to enrollment to ensure that the courses will transfer to K-State. If your institution is not listed on this page, or if you have questions consult with Karla Girard, the dietetics distance program coordinator, for further assistance. Barton County Community College has partnered with K-State to offer the first two years of coursework for the Dietetics bachelor's degree. This provides a seamless transfer of credits from one institution to the other. Read more about this partnership on the Admissions page.
Professional courses for the Didactic Program in Dietetics are completed by distance via a variety of media. Some courses are completely online, while others are primarily CD-ROM courses with a web support page.
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) meets the academic requirements set forth by the American Dietetic Association and qualifies the student to apply for post-baccalaureate supervised practice programs. The didactic program is available by distance to both in-state and out-of-state students.
After students are admitted to the university and start the dietetics program, they will need to apply to the DPD the semester they are enrolled in HMD 341 Principles of Food Production Management.
Admission requirements for the DPD
- Minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- No grade lower than a C in a science course or a professional (HRIMD or HN) course.
- Completion of 150 hours of experience projects (Refer to information on experience projects in the Dietetic Student Handbook (PDF)). These must be documented by submission of a professional portfolio with the application.
- Completion of application with transcript and verification of experience projects with portfolio.
Upon completion of the didactic program, students must apply and be accepted into an accredited dietetic internship in order to qualify to take the national examination to become a registered dietitian. More information about internships can be found on the American Dietetic Association’s website at http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/career_2191_ENU_HTML.htm
Admission to the DPD program does not guarantee acceptance into an internship program. According to the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education, over the last several years only 66% of those who applied to internships/supervised practice programs were accepted.
Already have a degree
If you already have a degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university and would like information about the non-degree option, please contact Karla Girard, dietetics distance program coordinator.
