Becoming an RDN
How do I become an RDN?
Anyone who wants to earn the credential of Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) must obtain the minimum of a master's degree and complete a dietetics program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). A listing of ACEND-accredited programs can be found at the link above.
Two routes to earn the credential are currently available:
- Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD)
An ACEND-accredited CPD combines all the necessary coursework and a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice experience that is required for eligibility to write the national registration examination for dietitians, which is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Graduates of a CPD can earn either a bachelor's or a graduate degree.
Upon successful completion of a graduate-level CPD, graduates are eligible to sit for the RDN credentialing exam. No internship is required, as the minimum 1000 required practice hours are completed during the program. Graduates of a bachelor's level CPD would need to complete a master's degree before becoming eligible to sit for the RDN credentialing exam.
WSU has a graduate-level CPD so graduates of our program are immediately eligible to take the RDN credentialing exam without further education or internship. The WSU CPD requires 1032 hours of supervised practice.
- Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) PLUS Dietetic Internship (DI)
An ACEND-accredited DPD provides the required coursework leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree, depending on the specific program. Graduates of a DPD must then complete a minimum of 1000 hours of practice in an ACEND-accredited DI to establish eligibility to write the national registration exam for dietitians, which is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. An undergraduate DPD can be completed in four years, and DIs typically run from eight to 24 months depending on their specific requirements. Graduates of a bachelor's level DPD would need to complete a master's degree before becoming eligible to sit for the RD credentialing exam.
Appointments to DIs are awarded competitively and most use a national computer matching process.
- After your program: Writing the exam and licensure
Once you have completed a CPD or DPD plus DI, you are eligible to obtain the RDN credential by applying for and successfully completing the registration exam. Exam requirements are set forth by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Some states have licensure requirements for dietitians to practice. To practice in one of those states, you must apply for licensure through their regulating body. You can contact the state's dietetic association for more details.
Michigan does not require licensure for dietitians at this time. You are eligible to practice in Michigan with your RD/RDN credential.
Why choose the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) at Wayne State in Detroit?
Our CPD is one of only three ACEND-accredited programs in Michigan, and the only one where you can complete your graduate dietetics degree in just four semesters. Since its inception in 1980, the Wayne State CPD has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Program graduates who plan to remain in the Detroit metropolitan area readily find employment at many of the facilities and agencies where they completed their rotations. Over 80% of our graduates find employment in the field within three months of graduation.
Admission to the CPD is competitive, with class size limited to 15. Students can apply by Apr. 1 for the program that begins in the fall semester of that same year (application to the CPD is separate from application to WSU). Students can view more details about the program in the CPD Student Handbook. The CPD does not offer credit for supervised practice completed before our program.
- Advantages of a CPD
- Completion of practical experience with academic credit.
- Reinforced learning by combining classroom and practical training.
- No need to compete for unpaid internships after completion of the academic program.
- Diverse practice experiences in multiple settings.
- Program costs
The table below shows an estimate of costs for the two-year CPD, not including any prerequisite courses. Please see more information on WSU tuition.
First semester
Item Estimated cost Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership $58 Textbooks and course materials $300 Tuition (based on 11 credits for in-state, graduate school) $8,706 Note: Tuition fees will vary if the student is not a resident of Michigan or Windsor.
Second semester
Item Estimated cost Physical examination and lab fees $751 Textbooks and course materials $200 Tuition (based on nine credits for in-state, graduate school) $7183 Note about physical examination and lab fees: This amount is for a complete physical and all required vaccinations (see V.G. Health Requirements in the student handbook) if completed at the Campus Health Center for a student with no insurance. This amount will vary depending on the vaccinations needed, and if the student has insurance.
Third semester
Item Estimated cost Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership $58 Lab coat $35 Textbooks and course materials $200 Tuition (based on 11 credits for in-state, graduate school) $8,706 Fourth semester
Item Estimated cost Textbooks and course materials $200 Tuition (based on 11 credits for in-state, graduate school) $8,706 Additional Costs (one academic year)
Item Living with parent Living in Ghafari Hall Living away from home Living expenses (housing + food) $5408 $11,762 $12,104 Transportation $3392 $3392 $3392 Note: Costs are estimates and as such are subject to change.
Student Health Insurance
WSU sponsors a health insurance plan for international students only, which is managed by the Office of International Students and Scholars. Domestic students looking for a health plan can visit the Healthy Michigan Plan.
- I already have a master's degree, can I apply to the CPD at WSU?
Our CPD program is at the graduate level and students who complete the program are awarded a master's degree in dietetics. However, students who already have an M.S. degree from WSU or another college or university can still apply.
If your degree is in nutrition, you probably have all the appropriate prerequisite courses and you will not need any additional coursework to apply to the CPD, but we will evaluate your transcript to make sure.
If your degree is in another area, the number of program prerequisite courses you will need depends on your degree. Generally, those students who completed degrees in the sciences, in particular, the health sciences, have fewer prerequisite courses to take.
- I have a bachelor's in dietetics from a DPD.
The CPD is right for you. It will take the place of an internship and provide advanced dietetics courses not part of your undergrad dietetics degree coursework. Because you have your dietetics degree, you will not need additional prerequisite courses to apply.
- I have a bachelor's in nutrition.
Most of your prerequisite coursework is probably done, but there may be a few exceptions. You can find the list of prerequisites on our M.S. in Dietetics requirements page. The CPD will give you the training and credentials to practice in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
- I have a bachelor's degree in another area.
You will need to complete the prerequisite coursework before applying to the program. You can find the list of prerequisites on our M.S. in Dietetics requirements page. The CPD will give you the training and credentials to practice in the field of nutrition and dietetics.