Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
The requirements to sit for the RDN examination include the following: (1) a Masters degree from an accredited university, (2) successful completion of an accredited DPD coursework sequence, and (3) completion of an accredited Dietetic Internship.
In order to become a RDN, you must complete an accredited DPD
Students completing the MPH in Public Health Nutrition (PHN) who would like to become a RDN have the opportunity to complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), an accredited DPD housed in NYU Steinhardt. Students enrolled in this pathway will complete the MPH requirements at NYU GPH and the DPD requirements through the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at NYU Steinhardt. MPH students pursuing the DPD will meet with NYU GPH DPD advisors to create a course sequence that combines the DPD course sequence with the MPH degree plan.
Note: Commitment to the DPD is required no later than the end of your first semester in the MPH.
NYU GPH DPD Advisors:
| Faculty Advisor: Lauren Berube, PhD, MS, RDN Email: lt1169@nyu.edu | Program Administrator: Supriya Lal, RDN, LDN, MPH Email: ssl444@nyu.edu |
Dietetic Internship
Successful completion of both the MPH and the DPD enables students to apply to a supervised practice program, or a Dietetic Internship. A Dietetic Internship consists of 1000+ hours of supervised practice, and completion of a Dietetic Internship is required to be eligible to sit for the RDN examination. NYU GPH does not offer a Dietetic Internship. You may apply to Dietetic Internships in your final semester of MPH coursework, but all DPD courses must be completed prior to starting the internship. You can learn more about accredited Dietetic Internship programs here.
Please note that the applied practice experience (APE), which is required as part of the MPH degree, is separate from the Dietetic Internship and does not count towards the Dietetic Internship. For more detailed information of the APE for PHN students please visit this page.
Interested in enrolling in the DPD course sequence?
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much time does it take to complete the DPD?
The full DPD course sequence is 60 credits. Students typically complete the DPD while completing their MPH in 3.5 to 4 years. However, actual time to complete the DPD varies among students and depends on a number of factors including: (1) evaluation of undergraduate transcripts and prior courses that meet NYU DPD requirements, (2) completion of courses during January-term and summer term, and (3) number of credits taken each term.
MPH students who would like to take the DPD course sequence will have an individualized course plan developed by a PHN DPD advisor that will outline the expected time to complete the MPH and DPD pathway. To ensure students remain on track, all MPH students taking the DPD course sequence are required to meet with the PHN DPD advisors prior to registration for each term.-
Can my undergraduate courses count towards the DPD requirements?
Students who may have already met the requirements of one or more of the NYU DPD courses must discuss this with the PHN DPD advisors at the time of commitment to the DPD course sequence. Transcripts will be sent to the NYU Steinhardt DPD advisor for review, and additional materials (e.g., course descriptions, syllabi, examples of course work) may be requested to determine if the course(s) meet NYU DPD requirements. Without advisor approval, the course will not be accepted. Courses taken at two-year colleges that do not have an ACEND-accredited DTR program do not meet NYU DPD requirements.
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Can the DPD courses count towards my MPH?
The majority of DPD courses are at the undergraduate level, and undergraduate level courses cannot count toward the MPH.
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Can I take the DPD courses online?
No, DPD courses are only offered in-person.
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What is the cost of the DPD course sequence?
You can find information about the cost of DPD courses in the NYU Steinhardt DPD Handbook.
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Will financial aid cover the DPD course sequence?
It is the responsibility of the student to confirm funding for the extension of the MPH related to the DPD course sequence. Students who are submitting for federal financial aid or taking out loans should contact the NYU Office of Financial Aid to confirm whether it will cover the DPD course sequence. Students who enroll in the DPD course sequence should notify the NYU Office of Financial Aid and NYU GPH Admissions of their enrollment, as the DPD course sequence adds time to complete the MPH degree.
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Can international students take the DPD course sequence?
Please contact the Office of Global Services to determine whether you are eligible to take the DPD course sequence.
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How do I receive the DPD Verification?
To receive a DPD Verification Statement from NYU, students must take at least 29 DPD credits at NYU (and achieve a grade of “C” or higher in each DPD course) and get pre-approval from the NYU Steinhardt DPD adviser for all DPD courses taken outside of NYU.
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How do I become certified and licensed as a RDN?
After successfully completing your DPD course sequence, Master’s Degree, and a Dietetic Internship, you will be eligible to register and sit for the RDN Licensing Exam (can link: Licensure and Certification). In addition to RDN credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners (State Specific Regulations). Frequently, these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become a RDN.