Program Description
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) curriculum meets the academic requirements to prepare students for the next steps toward a career in the field of dietetics. The Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum consists of 6 semesters, 25 courses (69 credits), including 15 courses (45 credits) for the DPD requirements. The curriculum of DPD Program is planned so that the learning is sequential, initially drawing on the liberal arts and sciences for the beginning level courses and then on foundational courses in Anatomy and Physiology (BIO181-182 or 228), Introductory Chemistry (CHE 114-115) as well as the first course in nutrition (DFN 215). The introductory nutrition course (DFN 215), Nutrition in Health Care (DFN 248) and the introduction to Food Science and Microbiology (DFN 321) serve as prerequisites for DFN courses with more advanced, professionally-oriented material.
Since the science and the practice of dietetics draws upon and integrates the principles of many disciplines including biology, chemistry, and the social sciences as well as health services and health education in addition to dietetics, foods and nutrition, these courses are part of the ACEND-accredited curriculum. Laboratory experiences are important components of the curriculum and are planned to integrate didactic instruction with hands-on activities.
For a listing of all course required to graduate, you can refer to the DPD student handbook or Lehman's Undergraduate Bulletin
DPD Program Length
After declaring Nutrition and Dietetics major and entering the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), students can complete the DPD requirements within 2 years (150%) of the program length. Upon completion of the curriculum and earning a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics and obtaining a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement, students will be eligible to start an ACEND approved Dietetic Internship for which they have applied and been accepted into.
The distance learning component of the DPD curriculum allows students to take greater than 50 percent of the Nutrition and Dietetics courses in Distance Learning, allowing more accessibility, timely completion of the program and increasing students' retention & graduation rates. Through the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), courses are offered in various modalities. Any of the DPD courses can be offered in Distance Learning via online synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid, blended, high Flex or face-to-face in traditional classroom settings.
Lehman College uses the Brightspace learning management system. Brightspace will be used to access all documents and forms, class information, and assignments. Lehman's Information Technology office offers multiple support resources, which can be on in the Student Resources page for Brightspace. In order to access library service, class evaluations, etc. students must have an active Lehman College email account, the password of which must be regularly updated.
Upon successful completion of the DPD, students will obtain a DPD Verification Statement. To obtain a DPD Verification Statement a student must either:
- Earn the Lehman College BS in Nutrition and Dietetics (w/PSY 166, SOC 166, or equivalent),
- Earn a Bachelor's in a degree other than Nutrition and Dietetics AND complete the courses required for the DPD, as well as PSY 166, SOC 166, or equivalent as a second degree from Lehman College with a minimum GPA of 3.3 (w/no "D" grades),
- Earn a Bachelor's in a degree other than Nutrition and Dietetics AND complete the courses required for the DPD, as well as PSY 166, SOC 166, or equivalent as a non-matriculated student at Lehman College with a minimum GPA of 3.3 (w/no "D" grades), or
- Earn a bachelor's degree in a field other than Nutrition and Dietetics, but complete the DPD as well as PSY or SOC 166 (or equivalent) while pursuing a Master's degree in nutrition (and taking some of the DPD requirements as graduate courses) with a minimum GPA of 3.3 (with no D grades).
In addition to the above, the following are required:
- Complete all DPD requirements within 150% of the program time planned or program length.
- Complete of the "Request for DPD Verification Statement" form
- Submit proof of certification as a ServSafe Food Manager (a valid ServSafe Certifcate. Note that ServSafe expires five years from date of issuance.
- Submit proof of completion of the Plagiarism tutorial at Certification Tests: How to Recognize Plagiarism: Tutorial and Tests, School of Education, Indiana University Bloomington (iu.edu)
- Request official transcripts from all institutions attended, to be sent to DPD Director via email. (Dr. Andrea Plunkett (andrea.plunkett@lehman.cuny.edu)
As a DPD student, you are required to complete core assignments throughout the curriculum that are used to assess readiness to undergo a Dietetic Internship. You must score at least 80% on all KRDN assessments to be eligible for a verification statement.
For a list of all KRDNs, please refer to the DPD Student Handbook, pg. 11-12
