DFN-BS - Dietetics, Foods and Nutrition

The Dietetics, Foods, and Nutrition (DFN) major include two options: Nutrition and Dietetics and; Culinary and Community Nutrition. They are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in nutrition and food-related positions in healthcare facilities, community agencies, cooperative extension, food service operations, culinary or nutrition education, and/or the food industry. Students are also prepared for post-graduate education in nutrition and food-related fields.

GPA Requirements
A minimum GPA of 3.3 is required for admission into Nutrition and Dietetics major. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for Culinary and Community Nutrition major. These GPAs must be maintained. If they are not maintained, students will be placed on academic probation for one semester after which time, if the GPA requirement is not met, students dropped from the DFN programs. 

Admission Information 
All students interested in either of the above DFN majors will first be enrolled in the Culinary and Community Nutrition major. Students interested in the Nutrition and Dietetics major are required to earn a B- or higher grade in course, course, and course courses with an overall minimum GPA of 3.3 before taking a pre-entry examination to assess aptitude for the Nutrition and Dietetics Major. Upon successful completion of the pre-entry examination (earning a minimum score of 80%), students may apply for the Nutrition and Dietetics major.

Nutrition and Dietetics major 
The Nutrition and Dietetics major complies with the requirements for a DPD and is accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND):

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Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995 
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ACEND@eatright.org

DPD Verification
Students fulfilling all requirements for successful completion of the ACEND-accredited DPD are eligible for a Verification Statement and can apply for supervised practice in an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship (DI), which enables the student to take the CDR examination to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). The DPD Verification Statement also provides the opportunity to take the examination to become a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR). To obtain a Verification Statement, students must successfully complete the following: 

1. All required DPD courses with a minimum GPA of 3.3

2. course, which satisfies a General Education Requirement

3. ServSafe Food Handler Certification

4. The University of Indiana Plagiarism tutorial (available here) 

5. Earn a score of 75% or better on the DPD Verification examination

Code of Ethics Compliance
DPD students must comply with the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics adopted by the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics in order to progress in the program. Students who violate these requirements may be dropped from the program, in addition to any other sanctions that may be imposed by the College or the Profession. Students completing the program are required to take the DPD qualifying examination prior to receipt of the Verification Statement. 

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN)
In order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), a student must:
1. Earn the minimum of a Masters degree

2. Satisfy the requirements for Lehman’s DPD which includes completion of the courses required for the Nutrition and Dietetics option as well as PSY or course (or equivalent)

3. Obtain a signed Verification Statement from the DPD Program Director in order to

4. Apply, enter, and complete a Dietetic Internship (DI) which entitles you to

5. Obtain a signed Verification Statement from the DI Program Director

6. Take and pass the CDR-administered Registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

For further information on the Nutrition and Dietetics major (DPD), please see the DPD Handbook (available here). 

Culinary and Community Nutrition major
The Culinary and Community Nutrition major prepares graduates to work in culinary nutrition education and in nutrition-oriented food service facilities. Graduates of this major are eligible to become certified dietary managers (CDM) via the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (AFNP). 

Departmental Grading Policy:
Students must earn a C- or above in all courses required for the Nutrition and Dietetics major, whether taken at Lehman or another institution. All D or F grades must be repeated within one semester or the student risks being dropped from the accredited DPD program. D grades in the Culinary and Community Nutrition major or in the minor are acceptable.