Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online

Programme overview

ACU’s B.S. in Nutrition includes multiple tracks and a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) option that serves as the academic component required before supervised practice for students pursuing registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The DPD track is primarily in-person, though some coursework may be offered online with possible synchronous requirements.

What you'll study

The degree requires university core hours plus major hours and electives, totaling 128 credit hours depending on track selection. Example coursework listed in the catalog includes:

• Medical Nutrition Therapy I, II, and III
• Community Nutrition
• Food Systems Organization and Management
• Nutrition Through the Life Cycle

Full course listings and track-specific requirements are available in the university catalog.

Entry requirements

General program information is in the catalog; admission into the DPD track requires a separate application and interview. To be eligible to apply for DPD admittance students must:

• Have an overall GPA of at least 3.0
• Complete at least 45 credit hours of coursework
• For transfers or students changing to Nutrition, have taken at least 6 hours of nutrition courses at ACU and been a nutrition major at ACU for at least two semesters
• Complete prerequisite courses (or equivalents): CHEM 113, CHEM 114, BIOL 291/293, BIOL 292/294
• Attend a DPD interest meeting and sign the DPD handbook agreement

DPD admission also requires submitting the DPD application to the DPD director and achieving at least 90 points on the application plus a favorable interview. Graduation and program completion require a minimum GPA of 3.0, satisfactory completion of KRDN-related assignments, and successful completion of the NDPD track degree plan.

Career prospects

The DPD prepares graduates to apply for ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs (dietetic internships or individual supervised practice pathways), which are the next step for eligibility to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam. Dietetic internships typically run 6–24 months and often include an MS degree option. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean salary for Dietitians in 2022 of $69,880. Effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree is required to be eligible to take the dietetic registration exam.

Scholarships & funding angle

The Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition offers departmental scholarships. Notable funds include:

• Tonja Zickefoose Rushing Scholarship — preference to nutrition majors, requires a GPA of 2.75 or higher; consideration is given for character, academic ability and financial need, with preference to single parents.
• Marie Wilmeth Scholarship — available to nutrition majors with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Estimated DPD-specific costs (tuition, books, supplies, transportation, housing and other program costs) and additional graduation/completion details are provided in the DPD Student Handbook. Contact financial aid or the department for application instructions and more funding information.