Nutritional Sciences, Track II: Dietetics

Curriculum Checklist

Humanities & Social Sciences [20]

• English 1A and English 1B or equivalent (8)
• Economics 1 (4) or EEP 1 (4)
• Psychology 2 (or 1) (3), Sociology 3 (4) or Anthropology 3 (4)
• Additional Courses (5)

• NST 10 (3)
• Biology 1A (4)
• Additional Courses from Biology, Microbiology, or Physiology (4). (MCB32/32L is recommended)

• Chemistry 1A (4)
• Chemistry 3A (5)
• Chemistry 3B (4)
• Math 16A (3)
• Statistics (4) (Stat 2, 5, 20, or 21)

Upper Division Course Work [45]

• MCB 102 (4)
• NST 103 (3)
• NST 104 (2)
• NST 106 (3)
• NST 107 (3)
• NST 135 (4)
• NST 160 (3)
• NST 161 (4)
• NST 165 (1)
• NST 166 (3)
• NST 192 (1)
• NST 194 (2)
• NST 301 (sec 2) (2) and Education 190 (4)
• UGBA 105 (3) or Psych 180 (3) or IEOR 171
• UGBA 102A (3)**

• Microbiology PH 162A (4), MCB 112 (4)
• Physiology (if not completed with MCB 32) IB 132,132L (5)
• Statistics (if not completed with Stat 2) PH 142A (4), Stat 131A (4)

Students must take a course in each of the above-listed three subject areas. Either Microbiology or Physiology must include a lab. If these requirements have been met with an approved lower division course, the student need not take these upper division versions.

**Accounting Requirement: This course is optional if an approved lower division accounting course has been taken at a Community College.

Mission and Goals

The Dietetics Track's mission is to prepare dietitians for positions of leadership in health care, education, industry, government, and community health, as well as in professional organizations. The program fills a community need for highly trained nutrition professionals, while providing the academic background for graduate study in nutrition or related fields. The program is dedicated to excellence in intellectual development and research, to stimulation of an inquiring attitude, and to equality of opportunity.

Program goals are:

1. To graduate individuals who are well-prepared in the principles of nutrition, food science, food composition, medical nutrition therapy, foodservice management, nutritional needs of groups or individuals of various ages, and nutrition education.
2. To provide a strong background in the physical and biological sciences to enable graduates to work effectively with other health professionals and to provide the academic basis for graduate study.
3. To provide guidance and role models who help students develop self-confidence and a personal commitment to a high standard of professional behavior and ethics.
4. To develop knowledge and skills that enhance a graduate'9s opportunities for placement in supervised practice programs.
5. To provide academic preparation which supports successful performance in a supervised practice program and as an entry-level dietitian.
6. To achieve at least an 80% pass rate among graduates who sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
7. To provide a pool of qualified dietitians who can meet the need for nutrition professionals in California.

The Track II - Dietetics Program (also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics or DPD) of the Nutritional Sciences major at U.C. Berkeley is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on the Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 216 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606-6995, Telephone 312/899-5400.

Upon completion of this program, the student earns both the Bachelor of Science Degree and a Verification Statement that indicates a student is eligible to begin a Supervised Practice Program in Dietetics. Students who successfully complete the Supervised Practice Program are qualified to take the Registration Examination. Those who pass the examination become Registered Dietitians (RD) and are qualified to provide nutritional services to the public.

Career Change into Dietetics

Occasionally, a person who holds a degree in another discipline determines that a career change into dietetics is desirable. Unfortunately, most such students cannot be accommodated in the dietetics program at Berkeley, since UCB does not offer second bachelors degrees. Individuals in this situation are advised to look elsewhere for programs that will meet their needs.

An individual who holds a degree in a closely related field may be able to complete required courses at UCB in order to earn a Verification Statement from UCB. This will allow entry into a Supervised Practice Program. Anyone wishing to explore this option should be aware that he or she will be required to take a minimum of 12 credits at Berkeley and that some courses may not be open to non-degree students.

Students wishing to pursue this option should:

• Contact the Dietetics Program to see if this option is available, based on previous educational experiences. The contact person is:

  Nancy R. Hudson, MS, RD
  Director, Dietetics Programs
  University of California
  Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
  119 Morgan Hall
  Berkeley, CA, 94720-3104
  Phone 510/642-4090
  Fax 510/642-0535
  

  Questions to Nancy Hudson
  

• If this option is available, you must provide copies of all college-level transcripts for evaluation. You may also be asked to provide course descriptions for selected courses.
• A week after you have submitted your transcripts, arrange an appointment to come to campus and speak to Ms. Hudson regarding the additional coursework necessary to obtain a verification statement.
• Determine if you qualify for enrollment as a "limited status" student or if you will enroll through UCB Extension option known as "concurrent enrollment". Complete the appropriate paperwork for enrolling in classes.
• Complete all of the courses that are required to obtain the Verification Statement and qualify to enroll in a Supervised Practice Program. At this point you need to provide official sealed transcripts to verify your coursework at other institutions.
• During your final semester of coursework, you will be advised about the process of applying for Supervised Practice Programs.

Dietitians who received their education outside of the US may be eligible for reciprocity with the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The guidelines regulating reciprocity are found at http://www.eatright.org/cade/intfactsheet.html. Dietitians who do not qualify for reciprocity but wish to become Registered Dietitians in the US may be able to obtain a Verification Statement by completing a minimum of 12 credits at Berkeley. Dietitians wishing to pursue this option should:

• Contact the Dietetics Program to see if this option is available, based on previous educational experiences. The contact person is:

  Nancy R. Hudson, MS, RD
  Director, Dietetics Programs
  University of California
  Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
  119 Morgan Hall
  Berkeley, CA, 94720-3104
  Phone 510/642-4090
  Fax 510/642-0535
  

  Questions to Nancy Hudson
  

• If this option is available, you must have your credentials from any educational institution outside of the United States verified and transcripts translated by one of the credentials evaluation services listed on the American Dietetic Association web site at http://www.eatright.org/cade/intfactsheet.html
• When your credentials have been evaluated by one of these services, a copy should be sent to the address above.
• A week after you have provided your credentials, arrange an appointment to come to campus and speak to Ms. Hudson regarding the coursework necessary to obtain a verification statement.
• Complete the appropriate paperwork for enrolling in classes through UCB Extension option known as "concurrent enrollment".
• Complete all of the courses that are required to obtain the Verification Statement and qualify to enroll in a Supervised Practice Program. At this point you need to provide an official sealed copy of your credentials evaluation.
• During your final semester of coursework, you will be advised about the process of applying for Supervised Practice Programs.