Program Description

The Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate is an optional undergraduate certificate program that is available only to students enrolled in the BS in Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness (BNW) program. The BS in BNW with the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate has been granted candidacy accreditation as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Students who receive the BS in BNW degree with the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate are eligible to apply for a dietetic internship and graduate program in nutrition and wellness, leading to eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Pathway to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science degree and ACEND-accredited course work, graduates are eligible to apply for an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship (DI), coordinated program (CP) and graduate program in nutrition and dietetics (GP). Application processes may vary depending on the program type. Programs may use the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) to collect applications. For more information about the application process for students, visit the ACEND website.

Applicants pursuing a DI must also complete a graduate degree program. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN, visit the ACEND information page.

Professional Licensure and Certifications

RDNs are required to be licensed/certified in some states. Completion of the BS in BNW with the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate does not lead to a professional certification or meet state licensure requirements to practice as an RDN. Licensure is required to practice as an RDN and provide nutrition care services in Alabama. For more information on licensure/certification requirements by state, visit the CDR website.

Program Accreditation

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate Program has been granted candidacy accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, Illinois, 60606-6995, 800/877-1600 X 5400, www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

Application and Admission Process for the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate Program:

BS in BNW students are eligible to apply for the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate during spring term of their sophomore year. Students must be enrolled as full-time students (at least 12 credit hours per semester) to apply for the certificate program. Students will apply to the certificate program through an internal application system.

Pre-Requisite Requirements:

BNW major students who are interested in pursuing the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate must have successfully completed (grade C or higher) the following BNW degree courses that are prerequisite requirements for certificate courses:

• English: EH 101 (3 credit hours) and EH 102 (3 credit hours)
• Math: MA 106 or higher (3 credit hours)
• Chemistry: CH 115 or higher (3 credit hours) and lab (1 credit hour) and CH 117 or higher (3 credit hours) and lab (1 credit hour) and CH 235 or higher (3 credit hours) and lab (1 credit hour)
• Nutrition: NTR 121 Well Being and You (3 credit hours), NTR 201 Healthy People, Healthy Planet (3 credit hours), and NTR 222 Nutrition and Health (3 credit hours)
• Biology: BY 123 or higher (4 credit hours) and lab (0 credit hours)
• Psychology: PY 101 (3 credit hours) and Approved Human Behavior, Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology course (3 credit hours)

BNW major students who are interested in pursuing the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate must be currently enrolled in or have successfully completed (grade C or higher) the following BNW degree requirements when applying to the certificate program:

• Nutrition: NTR 320 Nutrition and the Consumer (3 credit hours) and NTR 330 Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credit hours)
• Human Anatomy: BY 115 (4 credit hours)

GPA Requirements:

Students enrolled in the BS in BNW program and have a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply for the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate. Once admitted into the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate program, a student must maintain academic good standing in the BS in BNW program to remain in the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate program (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher).

Prior Learning and Transfer Credit Policy:

Credit will not be awarded for prior learning experiences. Only courses deemed equivalent courses by the Transfer Evaluation Team in the UAB Office of Enrollment are accepted as transfer courses at UAB.

Program Mission Statement:

To prepare graduates for entry into supervised practice and graduate programs in nutrition and wellness, leading to eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, through a comprehensive curriculum design that promotes effective communication, innovative leadership, and application of evidence-based practices to support quality health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Program Goals & Objectives:

Goal 1: Prepare graduates for acceptance into a supervised practice program and/or graduate program.

Program Objectives for Goal 1:

• At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 3 years (150% of planned program length).
• At least 80 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 80 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.

Goal 2: Prepare graduates for success in a supervised practice program and/or graduate program to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Program Objective for Goal 2:

• Of graduates accepted into a supervised practice program, at least 90% of program directors will rank graduates as “satisfactory” or better in the five core competency domains compared to the expected competency of dietetic interns within 12 months of DPD graduation.
• Of graduates accepted into a graduate program, at least 90% of program directors will rank graduates as “satisfactory” or better in their ability to use critical thinking skills to interpret and disseminate current research compared to the expected competency of first-year graduate students within 12 months of DPD graduation.
• Of graduates accepted into a supervised practice program or graduate program, at least 80% of graduates will rank their level of preparedness for the program as “Above Average Preparation” or higher on the alumni survey.
• Of graduates accepted into a supervised practice program or graduate program, at least 80% of program directors will rank graduates’ preparedness for the program as “Above Average Preparation” or higher on the program directors’ survey.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.

Below are the required courses in the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate (21 credit hours).

• HCM 306: Intro to Cultural Awareness and Competency (2 credit hours)
• NTR 355: Food Science and Food Systems (4 credit hours)
• NTR 455: Medical Nutrition Therapy and Counseling (4 credit hours)
• NTR 480: Professional Studies in Nutrition and Dietetics (2 credit hours)
• HCM 316: Accounting and Finance for Health Care (3 credit hours)
• HCM 330: Health Care Systems (3 credit hours)
• NTR 490: Capstone Experience in Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness (3 credit hours)

Click here to see a sample curriculum plan for the BNW Major and the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate.

Course Registration:

Students must register for all courses for which they wish to earn undergraduate credit. The UAB class schedule is accessible via BlazerNET located at www.uab.edu/blazernet. Students are able to register for courses and adjust their schedule by adding and dropping courses through the end of the drop/add period, which is denoted on the Academic Calendar.

Program Completion Requirements:

The following is an overview of the main steps required to earn the BS in Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness (BNW) degree with the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate:

1. Maintenance of good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA);
2. Completion of 130 credit hours (21 credit hours included in Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate program);
3. Conferring of degree.

Award of Verification Statement:

Upon successful completion of ACEND program requirements and conferring of degree, students receive a Verification Statement signed by the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate Program Director. Verification Statements will be retained by the Department of Nutrition Sciences indefinitely. Prior to program completion, students are eligible to apply to an ACEND accredited supervised practice program by submitting a Declaration of Intent Statement signed by the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate Program Director.

Where can I find specific program outcome measures?

If you are interested in specific outcome measures of the program, please contact the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate Program Director, Carleton Rivers, MS, RDN, via email, or call 205-934-3223.

What is the cost of the BS in BNW with the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate?

For the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid webpage. Online courses are charged at the same rate for Alabama residents and non-residents.

What financial aid, loans, and scholarships are available to program students?

Information on financial aid available to students is provided by the UAB Financial Aid Office. You may contact them directly for specific answers to your questions. There are many scholarship opportunities on the UAB campus. We recommend students register for the Blazer Scholarship Management and Resource Tool (B-SMART) upon admission to our undergraduate degree programs to stay up to date on new scholarship opportunities. Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics may also want to explore scholarships available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation.

What are the technical requirements for the program?

Canvas is the learning management system (LMS) used at UAB. Both face-to-face and online courses within the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate utilize Canvas to provide course content, assignments, quizzes and more to students. The basic software/hardware needs for Canvas include a computer, speakers, and internet connection. Additional requirements for individual courses may vary. Click here to access additional support for online learning.