BS - How to Apply
To apply for the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, students must first complete the ISU Undergraduate Application Process and be accepted into ISU. Go Bengals!
During the first two years at ISU, students take sciences, as well as a series of general education/objective courses. These classes help prepare you for the advanced courses offered in the DPD program.
After completing ISU and DPD prerequisites, students apply for a “seat” in the program:
- A seat is required for NTD 4401: Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) I and NTD 4402/4402L: MNT II.
- Other professional courses can be taken without a seat if course prerequisites are met.
- The goal is for students to take the MNT courses during their senior year. Thus, some students may be admitted to the DPD on a pre-award basis until they reach their final year in the program.
Acceptance to the DPD is Competitive
There are a limited number of seats. Thus, the achievement of the minimum standards does not ensure DPD admission. Before applying for a seat in the DPD, students must meet the following two admission requirements:
- GPA of 3.0 or above (cumulative) on a 4.0 scale in both required prerequisite courses and professional courses
- Completion of all DPD prerequisite courses with a grade of C- or higher
For an application to be competitive, students must also meet the following requirements:
- Completion of the majority of the ISU general education requirements
- Demonstrated interest in the profession of dietetics through classroom participation, leadership roles, and work/life experiences
- The ISU Department of Nutrition and Dietetics offers many opportunities for students to engage in community initiatives and nutrition-oriented student groups, which help to strengthen their DPD applications
- Once accepted, to remain in the DPD, students must earn a C- or better in all dietetic required courses.
5-Step Application Process
All ISU undergraduates must complete a set of ISU general education courses, or GERC. These required classes provide the core skills, knowledge and values all students need to be successful in their field of study and professional life after graduation.
GERC are mapped to a set of university-wide learning objectives. The Dietetics curriculum requires coursework from five of those objectives. Ideally, the general education courses should be completed before applying to the DPD program, but must be completed before graduation with a C- or higher.
ISU Objectives and General Education Requirements |
|||
|
OBJECTIVE |
COURSE NUMBER |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDIT HOURS |
|
Objective 1 |
ENGL 1102 |
English Composition |
3 |
|
Objective 2 |
COMM 1101 |
Principles of Speech |
3 |
|
Objective 3 |
MATH 1153 |
Statistics |
3 |
|
Objective 4 |
Choice of two courses in two categories |
6 |
|
|
Objective 5 (minimum 2 courses + 1 lab) |
BIOL 1101 CHEM 1101 CHEM 1102 CHEM 1103 NTD 2239 |
Biology I Essentials of Chemistry I Essentials of Chemistry II Essentials of Chemistry Lab Nutrition |
Minimum 7 |
|
Objective 6 (minimum 2 courses) |
ECON 2201 PSYC 1101 SOC 1101 |
Macro Economics General Psychology Introduction to Sociology |
6 |
|
Objective 7 or 8 |
Critical Thinking or Information Literacy: Choice of one course in either category |
3 |
|
|
Objective 9 |
Cultural Diversity: Choice of one course |
3 |
|
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program requirements are the dietetics coursework leading to the Bachelors of Science in dietetics. Before applying for a “seat” in the DPD program, students must complete the following prerequisites with a C- or higher.
Note: application for a seat is typically done during the spring semester of final completion of these prerequisite courses.
Required DPD Prerequisite Courses |
||
|
COURSE NUMER |
COURSE TITLE |
CREDIT HOURS |
|
BIOL 1101/1101L |
Biology I Lecture and Lab (Objective 5) |
4 |
|
BIOL 2221/2221L |
Intro to Microbiology Lecture and Lab |
4 |
|
BIOL 2227/2227L |
Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture and Lab |
4 |
|
BIOL 2228/2228L OR 3302/3302L |
Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture and Lab |
4 |
|
CHEM 1101 |
Introduction to Chemistry (Objective 5) |
3 |
|
CHEM 1102 |
Essentials of Organic & Biochemistry (Objective 5) |
3 |
|
CHEM 1103 |
Essentials of Organic & Biochemistry Lab (Objective 5) |
1 |
|
ENGL 1101 |
English Composition |
3 |
|
ENGL 1102 |
Critical Reading and Writing (Objective 1) |
3 |
|
COMM 1101 |
Principles of Speech (Objective 2) |
3 |
|
SOC 1101 |
Introduction to Sociology (Objective 6) |
3 |
|
MATH 1153 |
Statistics |
3 |
|
ECON 2201 |
Macro Economics (Objective 6) |
3 |
|
HE 2210 |
Medical Terminology |
2 |
|
NTD 1101 |
Introduction to Dietetics |
1 |
|
NTD 2205/2205L |
Foods and Meal Management and Lab |
4 |
|
NTD 2239 |
Nutrition (Objective 5) |
3 |
Before you apply, make sure you have met the admission requirements. Applications will only be considered if those two requirements are met.
Students typically apply the spring before they want to start the DPD program. However, applicants are considered for placement either the upcoming academic year or the following year depending upon the anticipated year of graduation. Accepted students are notified of which year they are scheduled to take the MNT series.
Application Due Date: February 15, 2023 at 11:59 MST
Late applications will only be reviewed if seats are available.
How to Apply
To apply for the DPD:
- Submit official transcripts, if applicable:
- Current ISU students do NOT need to submit transcripts.
- However, official transcripts are required for all required classes taken at other colleges or universities that are NOT listed on the student’s ISU transcript.
- Electronic copies: Email to Dr. Weeden at allishaweeden@isu.edu
- Print copies: Mail to:
DPD Director
Idaho State University
921 South 8th Avenue, Stop 8117
Pocatello, ID 83209-8117
- Write a letter of application:
- State the reasons for choosing a career in nutrition and dietetics. Share your professional goals. Thinking forward, where do you see yourself working in five years?
- State the reasons for choosing a career in nutrition and dietetics. Share your professional goals. Thinking forward, where do you see yourself working in five years?
- Complete the DPD Application:
- Complete the application online.
- Use the online DPD application. Please contact Dr. Weeden if you have any issues using this application.
- Pay application fee online: $25 non-refundable application fee
- We use an online payment service.
- Please let us know if you have any problems with the online payment service—call (208) 282-5719.
Application Review
Each application is carefully considered by a committee of Dietetic Faculty. This process takes some time. Try not to worry during this review period, keep your focus on your coursework and life!
Applications are scored based on the following criteria:
- Cumulative GPA in both required prerequisite courses and professional courses completed
- Honors / Activities
- Volunteer / Work Experience
- Written letter of application
Applicants are notified in writing of acceptance status by the Friday before Spring Break. Committee decisions are final.
Acceptance status can be:
- Accepted to seat for the upcoming academic year
- Accepted to a seat for the following academic year
- Alternate for a seat for the upcoming academic year
- Not accepted
Upon acceptance, students must take care of 6 administrative tasks in a timely manner:
- Write (email) to the DPD Director and accept the offer of the seat by the due date stated in the notice of acceptance.
- Read the DPD Handbook and submit the signature page confirming understanding of and agreement with all program requirements.
- Complete a background check.
- Complete HIPAA training.
- Ensure vaccination requirements are met: Students enrolled in Quantity Foods and MNT will have some required experiences at medical facilities within the local community. To comply with facility policies, all enrolled students must have updated vaccination records, including proof of:
- Negative PPD (TB test) in the past 12 months
- 2 MMR vaccinations or titer proving immunity
- 3 Hepatitis B vaccinations or titer proving immunity
- 2 varicella vaccinations or titer proving immunity
- 2 proof of full COVID-19 vaccination
- Updated Tdap vaccination
Students cannot go to off-campus medical facilties for MNT coursework
unless these administative tasks are completed
Not accepted?
You may continue to take most dietetics classes, with the exception of the MNT classes. Appendix A of the DPD Handbook provides a listing of these classes. Please also talk with an advisor about your options.
