What is a DPD Verification Statement?
A DPD Verification Statement is a document that is awarded to a student who has successfully completed all the requirements established by an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
Do I need a DPD Verification Statement?
A Verification Statement issued by a DPD Program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is required for a student to apply to a Supervised Practice before becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD).
In some situations, a Verification Statement is also required when applying for certain jobs.
What are the requirements for a DPD Verification Statement?
As a student majoring in Food and Nutrition at The University of Alabama, to be eligible for a Verification Statement, a student must successfully meet all the following DPD Program requirements:
- Must earn a C- or higher in all “DPD Science courses” and PY 101 (or equivalent).
Must earn a B- or higher in all DPD Professional courses (NHM designated and BER 345) or equivalent.
Must maintain a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher in the “DPD Science Courses” and “DPD Professional Courses.”
Must complete the courses required for the DPD
Must earn at the minimum a bachelor’s degree
Must complete 24 credit hours of DPD courses, including the DPD Capstone courses (NHM 340, NHM 465 and NHM 475) from The University of Alabama. - Submit a “DPD Declaration Form”.
What are the DPD Professional and DPD Science Courses?
The required DPD courses for students in the DPD Program at The University of Alabama are:
| DPD Program Institution: | The University of Alabama | |
| DPD Director: | Alvin Niuh (aniuh@ches.ua.edu) | |
| Catalog Year for Applicant | 2015 -16 | |
| Website for Course Catalog: | www.ua.edu | |
| DPD Professional Courses | DPD Science Courses | |
| NHM 101 Intro Human Nutrition | CH 104 Intro Chemistry | |
| NHM 195 Intro Dietetics & Nutrition | CH 105 Intro Organic Chemistry | |
| NHM 201 Nutrition in the Life Cycle | BSC 215 Human Anatomy & Physiology I | |
| NHM 253 Food Science | BSC 216 Human Anatomy and Physiology II | |
| NHM 295 Intro Research Food & Nutrition | BSC 242 Microbiology | |
| NHM 340 Community Nutrition * | PY 101 Intro Psychology | |
| NHM 345 Nutrition Counseling | ||
| NHM 346 Nutrition Education: Theories and Practice | ||
| NHM 361 Nutritional Biochemistry | ||
| NHM 362 Nutrition at the Cellular Level | ||
| NHM 363 Applied Nutrition | ||
| NHM 365 Medical Nutrition Therapy I | ||
| NHM 372 Intro Food Systems Management | ||
| NHM 373 Pur & Design & Risk Mgt in Foodservice Sys | ||
| NHM 374 Quantity Food Production & Service | ||
| NHM 454 Experimental & Functional Food Science | ||
| NHM 465 Medical Nutrition Therapy II * | ||
| NHM 475 Mgt of Food Service Systems * | ||
| NHM 491 Directed Professional Individual Study | ||
| BER 345 Educational Statistics | ||
| Note: A grade of “B-” or higher is required in all DPD Professional Courses | Note: A grade of “C-” or higher is required in all DPD Science Courses | |
| * These are the DPD Capstone Courses and must be taken at The University of Alabama. Previous credit is not given for these courses. | ||
When do I Request a DPD Verification Statement?
A Verification Statement will only be issued to a student upon successful completion of all the DPD Program requirements, typically 4 to 5 weeks after graduation, and only when the Records Office has officially awarded the degree to the student.
How do I Request a DPD Verification Statement?
To request a Verification Statement, complete and submit the “Request for a DPD Verification Statement” form to the DPD Program Director.
The DPD Program Director will mail 5 – 6 original signed copies of the Verification Statements to the student upon receipt of the request form. The student should allow 7-10 business days to process the request.
What Should I Do if I Need Additional Copies of a DPD Verification Statement?
In most situations, only original signed copies are accepted. A student may request additional copies of the Verification Statement by completing and submitting a new “Request for a DPD Verification Statement” form.
Does a DPD Verification Statement Expire?
No. Once a student is awarded a Verification Statement, it is valid for life.
How much does it cost to obtain copies of the DPD Verification Statements?
There is no cost to the student.