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Post Baccalaureate

A post-baccalaureate plan is a non-degree seeking deficiency plan for students holding a bachelor's degree. This plan is prepared from transcript evaluations that specify the course work and requirements needed to complete the undergraduate academic requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of Houston.

If you have a bachelor's degree from a US accredited institution and are interested in pursuing a career in nutrition and dietetics, you may be eligible to apply for the post-baccalaureate plan. Please read plan requirements to determine eligibility.

Sample Plan | Plan Requirements

 

Steps for obtaining a post-baccalaureate plan:

  • Provide a complete set of transcripts from every college or university attended.

  • All foreign degrees must be evaluated by a CDR-Approved Nonprofit Validation Agency. The evaluation must contain a listing of each course completed and the US equivalency, including numbers of hours and grade received. A list of approved agencies can be found on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

  • If you are not a current or former UH student, you must apply through the Office of Admissions. Admission to the University of Houston is a separate process. https://uh.edu/admissions/

  • If you are a former UH student and have been out of the university for more than 13 months, you must re-apply as a former student through the Office of Admissions: https://uh.edu/admissions/

  • If you are a current UH student or a former UH student who has not been out of the university for more than 13 months, you may need to fill out a general petition to update your records. Please contact the program advisor for more information.

  • The department may request course descriptions or syllabi for courses completed elsewhere if further information is needed to determine equivalency.

Requirements for Earning a Verification Statement

A verification statement is an official document that certifies successful completion of a baccalaureate degree and the requirements of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited program. A verification statement is required to qualify for application to a dietetic internship. UH students must complete the program with a GPA of 3.0 in the Didactic Program required coursework to qualify for a verification statement.

Steps to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/N):

  • Complete an ACEND accredited bachelor's degree or a post-baccalaureate plan where an ACEND verification statement is earned (if bachelor's degree is not ACEND accredited).

  • Obtain a verification statement from the Didactic Program Director at the University of Houston.

  • Submit an application for admission into a supervised practice Dietetic Internship program. A directory of supervised practice Dietetic Internship programs is available from the Didactic Program Director or may be obtained by on the website for the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

  • Upon admission and completion of a supervised practice Dietetic Internship program, candidates are eligible to sit for the CDR credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RD/N).

  • While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's belief that ACEND-accredited Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) meet the didactic portion of course requirements for dietitian or dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited bachelor’s program alone is not sufficient to qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree and meeting other state-specified requirements, individuals must also complete a supervised practice experience and pass a licensing exam. Consistent with current requirements of the Registered Dietitian credential, some states may also require initial dietitian licensure applicants to hold a master’s degree as indicated in the linked document provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ACEND references this document for general informational purposes only. Legal advice specific to your situation should be sought from a lawyer licensed in your state. ACEND does not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on this document. Statutes, regulations and policies of state licensing agencies are subject to change; this information only reflects published statutes and regulations as of July 1, 2024. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements to obtain a dietetics or dietitian license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.