Guide to Becoming a Registered Dietitian What, Why, How

Wondering What to Do Next? We can help you plan your future!

To Become a Registered Dietitian, You Must: Complete an ADA-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Complete Supervised Practice (Dietetic Internship) Pass the Registration Examination after completion of DPD + Internship program Other option: Coordinated Undergraduate Program

Untangling the Nutrition Web in Career Development Metro DC Affiliate of the Society for Nutrition Education Great tips for planning your nutrition career Call to order $7.00 each

Commission on Dietetic Registration Separate entity from The American Dietetic Association The credentialing piece Maintains records about competency for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians Registered (DTR) Testing occurs at Sylvan Learning Centers nation-wide AFTER supervised practice

ADA Student Programming Students now participate at many levels of ADA ADA hosts Student Receptions at Food and Nutrition Conference & Exhibition annually Time to meet program directors, other students Newsletter --now on line!

Scholarship Information ADA website at ADA scholarships due same time in February as applications are due Affiliate Dietetic Association - NCDA Local – ECU Scholarships – applications available each Spring semester from Dean’s office

Where to Go for Supervised Practice Check file in Program Director’s Office – various programs, organized alphabetically Dietetic Technician programs Masters degree – another option American Dietetic Association Website

Location Information on Programs ADA Directory Applicant guide (from DI Director or Department Secretary) Write to programs – most have Fax Phone Visit – if allowed or encouraged Open House – check with the site of your choice

Decide Internship Masters degree program Combined program – ECU, for example, can work with you to design a 2-year program Internship first? Masters first? You decide Must apply separately to each for ECU

Apply Must apply to each program you are interested in Not all programs use the same application forms There is an ADA format available At ECU, these are available to you in the Computer Lab Some programs have an application fee—be aware of your costs

Needed for Application Process Work experiences or relevant volunteer experiences Demonstration of Leadership - Student Dietetic Association, supervisory experiences, etc. Test Scores Original Transcripts Interviews or essays – for some programs; schedule accordingly

Needed for Application Process DPD Verification OR Intent to Complete 3 Recommendation Letters (I would not use more than that) Computer Matching Form – from DPD Director or from D & D Digital $50 fee from D & D to complete your computer match Only one match occurs—rank your choices carefully!

SENIORS: Before End of Fall Semester Identify programs of choice Obtain all application packets Request Intent to Complete Obtain D&D Digital Matching Form Take GRE or MAT; keep copy of scores to include with your application packets. Also have scores sent to programs of choice.

SENIORS: Before End of Fall Semester Select persons for recommendations; give them the forms and obtain before end of semester If you have completed your DPD courses, you need a Verification Statement with original signatures in blue ink (not black; not copied) Have your advisor review your application packet for thoroughness!!

Testing Make arrangements for testing to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller’s Analogies (MAT) Brewster D-102 Study guides available Study sessions available for a fee on campus

Recommendation Letters Standard Format Available to all faculty or anyone who has Fill in the first page, or Waiver Form They fill out, sign, seal and sign back of the envelope It is returned to you for inclusion with your Application Packet

Intent to Complete If you have not finished all of your coursework (Didactic Program in Dietetics, or DPD), you will need to fill out an “Intent to Complete” form Available from DPD Director (S. Escott-Stump at ECU)

ECU Open House Friday, December 14, 2001 East Carolina University 154 Rivers Building Greenville, NC am or 2-3 pm Call to reserve:

Summary Supervised practice is REQUIRED Acceptance is competitive Good grades are essential Relevant work experience is important Volunteer activities/hours count for many programs

Your Career Awaits You! Good luck!!

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