Bachelor of Science in Health Care Science - Nutrition Option | Nutrition Minor

We expect most nutrition students receiving this email will complete the nutrition option plan. If you are planning to graduate beyond Spring semester 2022, you will need to consider entering a graduate degree program to meet the RDN credentialing requirements.

If during your time at UCCS you are unable to complete your degree plan by Spring of 2023 you will be given options to complete a BS in Health Care Sciences or transition into a BS in Human Physiology and Nutrition. In this scenario you will work with you advisor to ensure the most sensible transition. This will not prevent you from pursuing a career in dietetics at UCCS. We recommend, upon completion of your BS, to consider applying for Coordinated Programs or a Future Graduate Program. You can find out more both programs here through ACEND. You may also find this ACEND infographic helpful should you consider an alternative pathway. 

If I have questions who should I ask? 

• If your questions are related specifically to coursework or your degree plan, your academic advisor is your best resource. Any other questions related to your career timeline can be referred to your DPD Program Director at dietetic@uccs.edu.  

To stay informed of updates and numerous opportunities, please consider joining this UCCS Nutrition MS Teams page. Through teams you will have the ability to start a conversation transparent to all students, faculty, and alumni. Nutrition faculty members will occasionally share information through this platform. For critical messages, you can still expect to receive a direct email. We know this is a difficult time with remote learning and social distancing, but please know your nutrition faculty can help with any program related questions.  

To acknowledge that you have read and fully understand this announcement please sign this statement. 

If, based on past credit hours, you can enter the final three semester nutrition sequence no later than Spring of 2022, you may select the HSCI Nutrition Option under close guidance of your advisor. If you are graduating Spring of 2023, you will likely need to obtain a graduate degree based on the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s mandate that effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement for eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians will change from a bachelor’s degree to a graduate degree.  For this reason, you may want to consider alternative pathways and programs before applying to enter the UCCS DPD program. You can find out more about Coordinated and Future Graduate Programs here. You can also reference the below infographics from ACEND. 

1. Current Routes to become an RDN  

2. Route to become an RDN post Jan 1st 2024 (this date signifies all eligibility requirements have been met to meet the exam)  

To earn a DPD verification statement from UCCS you must complete one of two pathways: 

1. Graduates of the DPD receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Science: Nutrition Option upon completion of the program and degree requirements.  Program and degree requirements include completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher and a C- or better in all required health science and human physiology and nutrition courses. 

2. Post-baccalaureate students seeking only a Verification Statement for completion of requirements through the DPD at UCCS must take a minimum of 25 credits at the 3000 level or above from the following courses (and their prerequisites): 

• HPNU 2050 Nutrition for Health Professionals 
• HPNU 2080 Profession of Dietetics 
• HPNU 3920 Community Nutrition 
• HPNU 3940 Nutrition Science and Food Preparation 
• HPNU 3950 Food Systems Management I 

• HPNU 4020 Food Systems Management II 
• HPNU 4430 Advanced Nutrition I 
• HPNU 4440 Advanced Nutrition II 
• HPNU 4910 Dietetic Internship Application Process 
• HPNU 4920 Nutrition Assessment 

• HPNU 4930 Medical Nutrition Therapy I 
• HPNU 4940 Nutrition Practicum 
• HPNU 4960 Medical Nutrition Therapy II 

To stay informed of the numerous opportunities, please consider joining this UCCS Nutrition MS Teams page. For critical messages, you can still expect to receive an email. We know this is a difficult time with remote learning and social distancing, but please know your nutrition faculty can help with any program related questions.  

If you decide to enter the UCCS DPD program, you do so with an understanding that should you experience any delays due academic performance or personal issues it may not be possible to complete the requirement for a verification statement. In the event of delays, you will be offered the ability to complete a BS in Health Care Sciences, transition into a BS in Human Physiology and Nutrition, or advised into a separate ACEND accredited program. In this scenario you will work with you advisor, and possibly the program director, to ensure the most sensible transition. 

If after reading this message you decide to pursue a UCCS DPD program, please sign this statement acknowledging your burden to complete all coursework within the above timeline.   

1. Complete a bachelor's degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics). NOTE: After January 1st, 2024 you will be required to hold a master’s degree to meet minimum RDN credentialing requirements.
2. Get matched to an ACEND accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program (some dietetic internships are combined with a master's degree, which is optional*). For students who do not match to an internship, applying to an Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option.
3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's dietetic registration exam.
4. Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
5. Maintain continuing education.

The following are estimated costs of the UCCS DPD:

How to Apply:

• Complete the online Freshman or Transfer Student Application form
• Follow the instructions for completing the form and ensure that all required documents are delivered by the deadline dates published in the Schedule of Courses.
• There is not a separate application process for the DPD program.

Admission Requirements:

The DPD program requires students to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale to begin the 3-semester DPD Sequence. The cumulative GPA includes the CU GPA and transfer credit GPA. In addition, all prerequisite requirements must be fulfilled to start the 3-semester DPD sequence, generally the last 3 semesters of the degree program. If this includes transfer courses, official transcripts from the other institutions must be sent to UCCS before the start of the 3-semester DPD Sequence.
 

Bachelor of Science Health Care Science: Nutrition Option Advising Guide

Students need to meet all academic requirements of the DPD to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Science. Students are responsible for tracking their academic progress in the Degree Audit Requirement System (DARS). Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor and the Program Director on a regular basis to confirm they are progressing as expected.

DPD students are encouraged to complete all program and degree requirements within six years (150% of the program length). Additional coursework may be required if program and degree requirements extend beyond this timeframe.

Graduates of the DPD receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Science: Nutrition Option upon completion of the program and degree requirements.  Program and degree requirements include completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher and a C- or better in all required health science courses.

Post-baccalaureate students seeking only a Verification Statement for completion of requirements through the DPD at UCCS must take a minimum of 25 credits at the 3000 level or above from the following courses (and their prerequisites):

• HSCI 2070 Nutrition for Health Professionals
• HSCI 2080 Profession of Dietetics
• HSCI 3920 Community Nutrition
• HSCI 3940 Nutrition Science and Food Preparation
• HSCI 3950 Food Systems Management I
• HSCI 4020 Food Systems Management II
• HSCI 4430 Advanced Nutrition I
• HSCI 4440 Advanced Nutrition II
• HSCI 4910 Dietetic Internship Application Process
• HSCI 4920 Nutrition Assessment
• HSCI 4930 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
• HSCI 4940 Nutrition Practicum
• HSCI 4960 Medical Nutrition Therapy II

All of these courses must be taken through the Department of Human Physiology and Nutrition at UCCS or accepted as an equivalent transfer course and the student must have earned academic credit for the remaining coursework including the prerequisite courses for the above listed courses.

If any of the courses listed above are not taken at UCCS, the approved equivalent transfer course must have been completed through an approved/accredited U.S. or Canadian academic program. The student must have earned academic credit for the remaining coursework including the DPD required prerequisite courses for any of the above listed courses that are accepted as transfer courses.

The above requirements apply to all international students.