Dietetics Emphasis

Department Mission:

The mission of the Department of Food and Nutrition is to expand knowledge and provide solutions in the areas of Food, Nutrition, Culinary and Sciences for the state of South Carolina.

Dietetics Program Mission:

 The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics is to produce graduate prepared for supervised practice to become a registered dietitian nutritionist who serve their clients in diverse practice settings in South Carolina, the nation, and the world.

Goal 1: Graduates will be prepared for careers as entry level nutrition and dietetics professionals in a variety of practice settings.

• Objective 1: At least 80% of graduates who take the Registration Examination for Dietitians will pass within one year following the first attempt.
• Objective 2: At least 80% of students enrolled the dietetics program will complete degree and program requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
• Objective 3: At least 75% of supervised practice directors responding to a survey will rate program graduate’s preparation for supervised practice as “above average” or better using 5-point scale where 4 is “above average”.
• Objective 4: At least 80% of graduates who complete and ACEND- accredited supervised practice program will indicate that they “strongly agree” or “agree” that Clemson University’s dietetic program prepared them for supervised practice.

Goal 2: Graduates will be prepared to succeed in one or more of the following: acceptance to a graduate program, acceptance to an ACEND- accredited supervised practice program or employment.

• Objective 1: Of program graduates, at least 50% will apply for admission to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program within 12 months of completing program requirements.
• Objective 2: Of program graduates who apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, at least 50% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 3: Of program graduates who do not apply or were not accepted to an ACEND-Accredited supervised practice program, at least 75% will apply to professional or graduate school or secure nutrition, health, or food science-related employment within 12 months of program completion.
• Objective 4: Of program graduates who graduate in May , at least 80% will indicate they “strongly agree” or “agree” the program prepared them for a career in food, nutrition, or dietetics.

Core Knowledge for the RD/RDN:

Below are the Foundation Knowledge Requirements and Learning Outcomes outlined in the 2022 ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Programs (DPD), effective June 1, 2O22

Knowledge Domain for the RDN

Domain 1. Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: Integration of scientific information and translation of research into practice.

Domain 2. Professional Practice Expectations: Beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors for the professional dietitian nutritionist level of practice.

Domain 3. Clinical and Customer Services: Development and delivery of information, products and services to individuals, groups, and populations.

Domain 4. Practice Management and Use of Resources: Strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.

Domain 5. Leadership and Career Management: Skills, strengths, knowledge, and experience relevant to leadership potential and professional growth for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner.

Dietetics Program Application Instructions

Students enrolled in the B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition – Nutrition Concentration degree program must officially declare an emphasis area and complete 17 credits of coursework in the declared emphasis area to fulfill degree requirements. Students interested  in declaring the Dietetics emphasis in order to complete DPD requirements and obtain a Verification Statement must complete a formal application   and meet specific criteria for admission into the Dietetics emphasis.

Dietetics Admission Criteria

Students must meet the following criteria for admission into the Dietetics emphasis. Applicants who do not meet all criteria will not be admitted into the emphasis. Students should confirm that they meet all of the following criteria before applying.

1. Documented attendance at a dietetics program information session discussing the steps to become a registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist.
2. Completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours by the end of the semester in which the student is applying.
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20.
4. Completed all biology and chemistry courses with a C or better.
5. Completed all nutrition courses with a B or better.
6. Complete the Dietetics Emphasis Application Form and submit related materials by the annual January application deadline for potential fall semester admission and the annual September application deadline for potential spring semester admission.

Application Periods

Two application periods for admission into the Dietetics emphasis are available each academic year, one at the beginning of the spring semester and one at the beginning of the Fall semester. Students following the B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition wit h a concentration in Nutrition curriculum as freshmen are encouraged to apply during Spring semester of their sophomore year. Students who have transferred or changed their major into the program may apply during either the spring or Fall semester  based on when  they attain the criteria for emphasis admission. Students must be formally admitted into the Dietetics emphasis before they are permitted to take coursework designated “Dietetics Emphasis Only.” A delay in application once a student has achieved the admission criteria may result in additional semester(s) and a delay in graduation.

Spring Semester Application Period

Students interested in entering the Dietetics emphasis should apply during the application period – December 15 through January 10. If you have completed the required courses and are not waiting for grades in December, I will accept your application before December 15. If you know all your grades are not completed then, please submit after receiving your grades and completing the application. Again, application materials should not be submitted until final grades from Fall 2024 are available on Clemson University transcripts in iROAR. Application materials must be submitted by 5 PM EST, January 10, 2025. Students will be notified by January 2025 of their admission status.

Fall Semester Application Period

Students interested in entering the Dietetics emphasis should apply during the application period – May 12 through June 12. If you have completed the required courses and are not waiting for grades in May, I will accept your application before May 12. If you know all your grades are not completed then, please submit after receiving your grades and completing the application. Again, application materials should not be submitted until final grades from Spring 2025 are available on Clemson University transcripts in iROAR. Application materials must be submitted by 5 PM EST, July 15, 2025. Students will be notified by August 2025 of their admission status.

In extraordinary circumstances, packets may be reviewed at the end of the semester if dietetics only courses are needed for the next semester. This is the only exception.

Application Instructions

To apply to the Dietetics emphasis, students must submit the following materials to Dr. Bridgit Corbett, DPD Director, as a single application packet.  Partial packets or packets with materials submitted separately will not be considered.

1. Dietetics Emphasis Application Form (PDF)
2. Dietetics Emphasis Course Worksheet (docx)
3. Unofficial Copy of Clemson Transcript (print from iROAR)
4. Unofficial Copy or Copy Issued to Student of Transcripts for all Coursework Completed Elsewhere

All materials must be type-written, printed, and submitted in a single manila envelope to:

Dr. Bridgit Corbett
DPD Program Director
Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences
Clemson University
219 Poole Agricultural Center
Clemson, SC  29634-0316

The curriculum for the B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Nutrition and emphasis in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND^®) as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The DPD prepares students for an ACEND^®-accredited supervised practice program (i.e., dietetic internship) to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Only students who complete the DPD in accordance with the Dietetics Program Declaration of Intent and Verification Statement Policy (PDF) are eligible to receive a Verification Statement. A Verification Statement is required for acceptance into an ACEND^®-accredited supervised practice program (i.e., dietetic internship). Completion of a DPD + DI are required for eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Dietetics Program Curriculum for Undergraduate Students

B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition - Nutrition Concentration Degree Requirements

Undergraduate students who are admitted into the Dietetics emphasis after Fall 2016 will follow the B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Nutrition and emphasis in Dietetics curriculum map (PDF) to fulfill degree and DPD requirements.

Undergraduate students who began the dietetics program prior to Fall 2016 should refer to the curriculum map that corresponds to the program catalog year indicated in their Degree Works profile. Past curriculum maps may be accessed through the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) Curriculum Worksheet Page or through archived Clemson University Undergraduate Catalogs.

Dietetics Emphasis Requirements

Students in the Dietetics emphasis must complete the following courses to fulfill their required 17 credits in the emphasis area – refer to the Nutrition Concentration Emphasis Area Course List (PDF) for details.

• NUTR 4180 Professional Development in Dietetics – 1 credit
• NUTR 4240/4241 Medical Nutrition Therapy I and Lab – 4 credits
• NUTR 4250/4251 Medical Nutrition Therapy II and Lab – 4 credits
• NUTR 4270 Nutrition Counseling – 2 credits
• FDSC 3060 Institutional Foodservice Management – 3 credits
• NUTR 4070/4071 Quantity Food Production and Lab – 3 credits

DPD Requirements

Students in the Dietetics emphasis must complete the following DPD courses, in addition to fulfilling the academic and professional requirements outlined in the Dietetics Program Declaration of Intent and Verification Statement Policy (PDF), in order to receive a signed Verification Statement.

DPD Science Courses

BIOL 1030 General Biology I and
BIOL 1050 General Biology Lab I
OR
BIOL 1100 Principles of Biology I*

BIOL 1040 General Biology II and
BIOL 1060 General Biology Lab II
OR
BIOL 1110 Principles of Biology II*

BIOL 2220 Human Anatomy & Physiology I*

BIOL 2230 Human Anatomy & Physiology II*

CH 1010 General Chemistry*

CH 1020 General Chemistry*

CH 2230 Organic Chemistry and
CH 2270 Organic Chemistry Laboratory

BCHM 3050 Essential Elements of Biochemistry

MICR 3050 General Microbiology*

MICR 4070 Food and Dairy Microbiology*

DPD Professional Courses

ACCT 2020 Managerial Accounting Concepts

ECON 2000 Economic Concepts
OR
ECON 2120 Principles of Macroeconomics

MGT 2010 Principles of Management

PSYC 2010 Introduction to Psychology

STAT 2300 Statistical Methods I*

FDSC 1010 Intro to Food Sci & Human Nutrition

FDSC 2010 Introduction to Food*

FDSC 3060 Institutional Foodservice Management

FDSC 4500 Creative Inquiry

NUTR 2030 Intro to Principles of Human Nutrition

NUTR 2040 Nutrition Across the Life Cycle

NUTR 2160 Evidence-Based Nutrition

NUTR 3010 Food and Culture

NUTR 3020 Nutrition Assessment*

NUTR 4070 Quantity Food Production*

NUTR 4180 Professional Development in Dietetics

NUTR 4240 Medical Nutrition Therapy I*

NUTR 4250 Medical Nutrition Therapy II*

NUTR 4260 Community Nutrition

NUTR 4270 Nutrition Counseling

NUTR 4510 Human Nutrition & Metabolism I

NUTR 4550 Human Nutrition & Metabolism II

* Indicates course is lecture and lab combined.

^a Students must earn a B or better in the following courses to receive a verification statement:  FDSC 1010, FDSC 2010, FDSC 3060, FDSC 4500, NUTR 2030, NUTR 2040, NUTR 2160, NUTR 3010, NUTR 3020, NUTR 4070, NUTR 4180, NUTR 4240, NUTR 4250, NUTR 4260, NUTR 4270, NUTR 4510, NUTR 4550.

^b Students must earn a C or better in the following courses to receive a verification statement:  BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1050 OR BIOL 1100, BIOL 1040 and BIOL 1040 OR BIOL 1110, BIOL 2220, BIOL 2230, CH 1010, CH 1020, CH 2230, CH 2270, BCHM 3050, MICR 3050, MICR 4070, ACCT 2020, ECON 2000 OR ECON 2120, MGT 2010, PSYC 2010, STAT 2300.

DPD Courses: Course descriptions are available in the Courses of Instruction section of the current Undergraduate Catalog.  In addition to noting course pre-requisites and co-requisites, students should be mindful of when required program courses are offered. Many required DPD courses, particularly those with a FDSC or NUTR prefix, are only offered one semester each year, so a delay in enrolling in and completing a course as outlined on one’s curriculum map may delay one’s ability to graduate in a timely manner. Students are encouraged to follow the curriculum map as outlined and minimize deviations in order to graduate in a timely manner. Refer to the Nutrition Concentration Course Offerings, Pre-Requisites, Co-Requisites (PDF) for details.

Dietetics Program Curriculum for Post-Baccalaureate Students

Students who have earned a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent and are interested in completing Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements to receive a Verification Statement may do so through one of two options.

1. Complete DPD courses while pursuing a second bachelor's degree - a B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Nutrition and emphasis in Dietetics.

OR

2. Complete DPD courses while pursuing an M.S. in Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Sciences. Completing DPD course requirements is separate from and in addition to concurrent completion of graduate course requirements. Some DPD courses are offered for graduate credit and may be applied toward partial fulfillment of graduate degree requirements.

For either option, DPD coursework previously completed for college credit at other institutions may be applied toward meeting select DPD requirements. A transcript evaluation by the DPD director is required to determine course equivalency for meeting DPD requirements.

DPD Admission for Graduate Students: Graduate students must apply to and be admitted into the DPD -- refer to the Dietetics Program Admission Policy for Graduate Students (PDF) for details.

DPD Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students who are admitted into the DPD must complete the following courses, in addition to fulfilling the academic and professional requirements outlined in the Dietetics Program Declaration of Intent and Verification Statement Policy (PDF), in order to receive a Verification Statement. Graduate-level courses (where applicable and as indicated) may be taken to fulfill DPD requirements. Course selection should be determined in consultation with the DPD director and the student's Graduate Advisor.

DPD Science Courses

BIOL 1030 General Biology I and
BIOL 1050 General Biology Lab I
OR
BIOL 1100 Principles of Biology I*

BIOL 1040 General Biology II and
BIOL 1060 General Biology Lab II
OR
BIOL 1110 Principles of Biology II*

BIOL 2220 Human Anatomy & Physiology I*

BIOL 2230 Human Anatomy & Physiology II*

CH 1010 General Chemistry*

CH 1020 General Chemistry*

CH 2230 Organic Chemistry and
CH 2270 Organic Chemistry Laboratory

BCHM 3050 Essential Elements of Biochemistry
OR
BCHM 6230 Principles of Biochemistry

MICR 3050 General Microbiology*

DPD Professional Courses

ACCT 2020 Managerial Accounting Concepts

ECON 2000 Economic Concepts
OR
ECON 2110 Principles of Microeconomics
OR
ECON 2120 Principles of Macroeconomics

MGT 2010 Principles of Management
OR
MBA 8090 Org Behavior & Human Resources Mgt

PSYC 2010 Introduction to Psychology

STAT 2300 Statistical Methods I*
OR
STAT 8010 Statistical Methods I*

FDSC 2010 Introduction to Food*
OR
FDSC 2140 Food Resources and Society
OR
NUTR 8070 Culinary Nutrition Science

FDSC 8150 Advance Foodservice Operations

FDSC 3060 Institutional Foodservice Management

NUTR 2030 Intro to Principles of Human Nutrition

NUTR 2040 Nutrition Across the Life Cycle

NUTR 2160 Evidence-Based Nutrition

NUTR 3010 Food and Culture

NUTR 3020 Nutrition Assessment*

NUTR 4180 Professional Development in Dietetics

NUTR 4270 Nutrition Counseling

NUTR 6070 Quantity Food Production*

NUTR 6240 Medical Nutrition Therapy I*

NUTR 6250 Medical Nutrition Therapy II*

NUTR 6260 Community Nutrition

NUTR 6510 Human Nutrition & Metabolism I

NUTR 6550 Human Nutrition & Metabolism II

* Indicates a course is a lecture and lab combined.

^a Students must earn a B or better in the following courses (or their graduate equivalent where applicable and as indicated above) to receive a verification statement:  FDSC 2010, FDSC 3060, NUTR 2030, NUTR 2040, NUTR 2160, NUTR 3010, NUTR 3020, NUTR 6070, NUTR 4180, NUTR 6240, NUTR 6250, NUTR 6260, NUTR 4270, NUTR 6510, NUTR 6550.

^b Students must earn a C or better in the following courses (or their graduate equivalent where applicable and as indicated above) to receive a verification statement:  BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1050 OR BIOL 1100, BIOL 1040 and BIOL 1040 OR BIOL 1110, BIOL 2220, BIOL 2230, CH 1010, CH 1020, CH 2230, CH 2270, BCHM 3050, MICR 3050, ACCT 2020, ECON 2000 OR ECON 2120, MGT 2010, PSYC 2010, STAT 2300.

Note: 1000- and 2000-level courses may be completed at a community or technical college and applied to fulfill DPD requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm the equivalency of coursework taken elsewhere and to send official copies of transcripts to the DPD director to verify completion.

The dietetics program follows Clemson University policies and procedures related to costs of attendance. The following websites provide information regarding Clemson University tuition and fees, financial aid, housing and dining, parking and transportation services. Estimated costs to attend Clemson University may be calculated using various tools available through the Student Financial Aid website.

Student Financial Services

Tuition and Fees Calculator

Student Financial Aid

Parking & Transportation

Housing & Dining

Costs Associated with Application to Dietetic Internships

During the dietetic internship application process, application fees are assessed at multiple points – during submission of application materials through the centralized application system called DICAS, during ranking of dietetic internship programs through the centralized ranking system called D&D Digital, through separate program application fees in addition to DICAS application fees, and through college and university transcript request fees. Students applying to dietetic internships that offer graduate credit or are combined with a graduate degree should expect to pay additional application and transcript request fees associated with graduate school application. Completion of the GRE® may be required.

• DICAS Application Fees: $45.00 1st application + $20 each addition application
• D&D Digital Registration Fee: $55.00 (one-time fee per application cycle)
• DI Program Application Fee: $75.00 (average per program, varies by program)
• Transcript Request Fee: $5.00+ per transcript (varies by college/university)
• GRE®: $205.00

*The fee schedule is as of Fall 2021 and is subject to change.

Costs Associated with Volunteer Experience

Students who volunteer to participate in on-campus and off-campus learning experiences outside of DPD course requirements may incur additional expenses related to criminal background checks, immunizations, health screening and drug screenings, health insurance, professional liability insurance, automobile insurance, CPR and First Aid certification, ServSafe® certification, uniforms, equipment, transportation, and parking. These requirements and related expenses are at the discretion of the program facilitating student learning and are not under the control of the DPD.

Scholarships and Grants

Information on scholarships and grants available to students through Clemson University, the State of South Carolina, and private donors is available under the Scholarships section of the Student Financial Aid website.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Foundation offers a variety of scholarships ranging from $500 to $10,000 to nutrition and dietetics students. Enrollment in a dietetics program or graduate school and membership in the AND are required for almost all scholarships. For more information on AND Foundation scholarships, visit Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Awards.

Successfully securing a dietetic internship upon graduation begins long before a student’s senior year. Although selection criteria vary among dietetic internship programs, common characteristics of applicants who receive appointments include:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (typically 3.4 or higher is recommended).
• A 3.2 GPA or higher in all Food Science and Nutrition courses.
• A 3.2 GPA or higher in all science and social science courses.
• A variety of quality paid and volunteer work experiences (at least 200 hours) that begins early in college. Consistent participation in a small number of experiences over many weeks, months, and years is valued more highly than sporadic participation in multiple varied experiences.
• Strong letters of recommendation, including one from a program faculty member and one from a registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist.
• Willingness to relocate.
• Leadership in campus, community, and professional organizations.

How can I improve my chances of securing a Dietetic Internship appointment? 

• Investigate dietetic internships early to identify the specific admission criteria. For more information on specific dietetic internship programs, visit Accredited Dietetic Internship Program information on ACEND®'s website.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher (typically 3.4 or higher is recommended).
• Join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) as a student member and attend state and district association meetings. The Academy is the national professional organization for food and nutrition professionals, including RDs and RDNs. Academy membership includes affiliate membership in the South Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SCAND). Only students who are members of the Academy and SCAND are eligible for national and state Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics scholarships and awards! Student membership is only $58 per year. To learn more, visit: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Student Member.
• Join and actively participate in the Clemson Human Nutrition Club.
• Participate in activities that demonstrate leadership – college/university clubs, sports, community service projects, organizations, etc.
• Obtain dietetics related work and/or volunteer experience to learn about the dietetics field. Students are encouraged to seek quality experiences in each of the three areas of dietetics practice:  clinical, community, and foodservice.
  • Clinical – shadow and work with dietitians where they are employed in hospitals, physician offices, dialysis centers, diabetes self-management programs, weight management clinics and programs, pediatric clinics; consider clinical dietetics externship experiences at local healthcare systems.
  • Foodservice – K-12, college, restaurant, camp, long-term care, etc.
  • Community outreach and/or nutrition programs – free clinics, soup kitchens, food pantries, food banks, farmer’s markets, community garden and gleaning programs, child and adult nutrition education cooking programs, school foodservice and summer feeding programs, etc.
  • Other nutrition- and healthcare-related paid and volunteer experiences.
• Get to know the Food Science and Human Nutrition faculty through office hours, club activities, creative inquiry, so they know you well enough to address your assets in letters of recommendation.
• Apply to more than one dietetic internship program – it is recommended that students apply to 3-5 programs.