GENERAL DIETETICS AND

NUTRITION INFORMATION

This program was granted developmental accreditation in April, 2004, by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Following successful completion of the program and verification from the program director, you may apply for CADE-approved dietetic internships. For more information about dietetic internships, go to the ADA website: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/career.html

After completing the dietetic internship, you become eligible to take the national registration exam and become a registered dietitian (RD).

The process of becoming a registered dietitian involves a number of steps.

Step 1: Choose Dietetics and Nutrition as a degree within the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. To choose Family and Consumer Sciences-Dietetics and Nutrition as your major, go to the School of Applied Sciences in the George Street Building (next to the Library) and tell one of the administrative assistants that you wish to study dietetics and nutrition.

Step 2: Meet with your faculty advisor to develop your plan of study.

Step 3: Attend classes and study hard! Internships are very competitive; maintaining a high grade point average is critical.

Step 4: Participate in leadership opportunities provided by the Department, School of Applied Sciences, and University.

Step 5: Apply for dietetic internships in your senior year. Make an appointment with the Didactic Program in Dietetics Director, Dr. Laurel Lambert, 224 Lenoir Hall, 662-915-7807 or 662-915-7371, lambertl@olemiss.edu for information about internship applications, computer matching procedures for internships, and other helpful information. The director will provide you a “Letter of Intent” to graduate from our didactic program, which you will need to include in your internship applications. Also, to apply for internships, you will need letters of recommendation from instructors and professionals with whom you have volunteered or worked (e.g., dietitians and practicum site supervisors). Provide your resume to all individuals that agree to write letters of recommendation. Please allow at least 2 weeks notice for recommendation letters.

Step 6: Accept internship placement. If you do not receive an internship, you may send a copy of your application to internships that still have openings, or you may wait until the next application date (February or September).

Step 7: Complete coursework, graduate!

Step 8: Send verification statement to internship site. The Program Director (Dr. Laurel Lambert) will provide this to you after you have officially graduated (please see below for information about verification statements).

Step 9: Complete internship!

Step 10: Complete registration exam and pass! Congratulations, you are now a registered dietitian (RD).

Career opportunities for dietitians range from employment in small communities to large cities in hospitals, wellness centers, health agencies and public health programs, schools, long-term care facilities, food industry companies, pharmaceutical companies, and the Armed Forces. Other career opportunities are available in research, consulting, and business.

Cost of Program (Student Fees)--Click here.