Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) - University of Montevallo

Best Nutrition Degree Program 2021 Badge

About the Coordinated Program

The UM Coordinated Program was granted full accreditation by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Il 60606-0995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400, acend@eatright.org, in March of 2014. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics(CPD) is designed to provide CPD students meaningful and robust learning opportunities to attain all required ACEND knowledge, skills, and competencies required for eligibility to sit for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam (www.cdrnet.org) upon graduation. In addition, graduates of the UM Coordinated Program are well prepared to work as nutrition and dietetics healthcare professionals and enjoy a rewarding career as food and nutrition experts. Coordinated Program faculty at UM create an engaging learning environment with small class sizes and a passion for teaching nutrition and dietetics. In February of 2019, the UM Coordinated Program in Dietetics was ranked in the top 25 Best Bachelor’s Nutritional Science Programs by the Bachelor’s Degree Center, www.bachelorsdegreecenter.org.

Why Become an RDN?

Are you interested in science as it relates to health? The major public health concern in our country is chronic disease such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes which are promoted by unhealthy nutrition habits and lack of physical activity. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are an integral part of the health care team that encourages the prevention and treatment of disease plus promotion of wellness through expert nutrition and food guidance. At Montevallo, our Coordinated Program is uniquely integrated within the Exercise and Nutrition Science Department which fully qualifies graduates to make physical activity recommendations as well as offering quality, up to date nutrition assessment, education and counseling advice. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) work in a variety of settings that includes hospitals, medical clinics, long term care facilities, sports nutrition, corporate wellness, food and agriculture industry, food service management industry, private practice, community and public health agencies, school systems, and research for food companies and universities. Prospective students who are strong in the sciences and are interested in improving the health and lives of others in a professional setting should consider the Montevallo Coordinated Program in Dietetics.

After January 1, 2024, students must complete a master’s degree to be eligible to sit for the RDN exam. More information may be found here: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree.

Master’s Degree for Coordinated Program Students

Master’s Degree in Applied Instruction with a Nutrition Science Concentration

30 credit hour, 1-year program

Requirements for the UM Coordinated Program

Students will take the required prerequisite classes, major required classes and apply to the Coordinated Program in spring of their junior year. To be eligible for admissions to the CPD, students must make a “B” or better in all prerequisite classes and major classes which includes basic science classes. Eligibility for admission to the CPD is also based on overall GPA (2.75 minimum), class attendance and engagement, professional behavior, leadership skills, organization and community involvement, and letters of recommendation. Students considering transferring from another institution may be required to take advanced nutrition classes at the University of Montevallo. Upon acceptance into the CPD, students will embark on at least 1000 hours of supervised experiential learning in the hospital, health department, medical clinics, long term care and rehab facilities, and school systems to learn under the supervision of a qualified RDN and other licensed health care professionals. Following successful completion of the CPD, students will receive a verification statement that will enable them to apply for taking the RDN exam, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, www.cdrnet.org, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606, 800-877-1600, ext. 550.