Abilene Christian University

Programme overview

ACU’s B.S. in Nutrition combines university general requirements with a major that ranges from 55–67 credit hours depending on the chosen track, and a total degree requirement of 128 credit hours. The department offers a DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) track for students who intend to pursue the verification statement needed to enter ACEND-accredited supervised practice. Some coursework in the DPD may be delivered online, but the DPD is primarily an in-person program.

What you'll study

Example coursework and subject areas listed in the catalog include:

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

For a full listing of required courses and track-specific details students should consult the university catalog and the DPD track materials.

Entry requirements

Admission into the DPD track requires a formal application and interview. Students must email the completed DPD application to the DPD director and will be scheduled for an interview. The application must score at least 90 points and the interview must be favorable.

• Overall GPA of at least 3.0
• Completion of 45 semester hours of coursework before applying
• Transfer students or students changing to Nutrition must have completed at least 6 hours of nutrition coursework at ACU and been a nutrition major at ACU for at least two semesters
• Completion of the following courses or equivalents: CHEM 113, CHEM 114, BIOL 291/293, BIOL 292/294
• Attendance at one of the DPD Interest Meetings and signing the DPD handbook agreement (see Appendix B of the DPD Student Handbook)

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. Experiential learning, vocational/technical training, and workforce education courses are not accepted for DPD program requirement credit; transfer credit is evaluated by equivalency codes or by review of syllabi by the DPD director and department chair.

Career prospects

Students completing the DPD track are positioned to apply to ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs (dietetic internships or individual supervised practice pathways). Verification statements are issued by the DPD Director upon graduation and completion of DPD requirements to support internship applications. Successful completion of an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program and passing the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam are required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist; effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree is required to be eligible to sit for that registration exam. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean salary for dietitians of $69,880 in 2022.

Scholarships & funding angle

The Kinesiology and Nutrition Department offers departmental scholarships and has specific awards for nutrition majors. Examples include:

• Marie Wilmeth Scholarship — available to nutrition majors with a minimum GPA of 2.0; awarded based on character, leadership, academic ability, and financial need.
• Tonja Zickefoose Rushing Scholarship — preference given to nutrition majors, with a minimum GPA of 2.75; also considers single-parent status, character, academic ability, and financial need.

Students should consult the DPD Student Handbook for estimated program costs (tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, housing) and contact ACU Financial Aid for details on applying to departmental and university scholarships.