Dietetics Certificate

Admission Requirements for the Dietetics Certificate

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree and completion of an approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is required.
• Refer to the Consumer & Family Studies/Dietetics website Program & Applicatons page for information about application procedures and application forms.
• Applicants must participate in the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) computer matching process by the posted deadline to apply to our program.
• A complete application packet must be submitted by the posted deadline.
• A committee composed of dietetics faculty and other members will review the applications based on established criteria.
• Applicants will be notified by the computer matching company if they were matched to our program.
• Matched applicants must then apply to the University via CSU Mentor. They will enroll as matriculated post-baccalaureate students in the unclassified status.
• Admission to the certificate program does not guarantee admittance into the M.A. program.

Criteria for Selection

• Applicant must meet all deadlines for submitting applications to the computer matching company as well as to the program. Late and incomplete application packets will not be considered.
• All DPD courses are to be completed with a grade of C- or better. A minimum overall GPA of 2.7 and a DPD GPA of 3.0 is required.
• Other criteria that will be evaluated include work and/or volunteer experience, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and resume. Some applicants will receive a phone interview.
• Preference may be given to SF State DPD graduates whose qualifications are competitive with other applicants.

San Francisco State University is committed to policies of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, or age.

About the Dietetics Certificate Program

This is a full-time program consisting of 32+ hours per week of practical experiences and 6 units of academic coursework per semester. Courses are generally held one day a week on campus and internship rotations are done the other four days of the week. No part-time enrollment is allowed.

Dietetics Curriculum

Fall Semester

DFM 751 Seminar in Nutritional Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 units)

DFM 758 Seminar in Foodservice & Nutrition Program Management (3 units)

DFM 881 Internship in Dietetics (6 units)

Total units: 12 units

Spring Semester

DFM 755 Seminar in Human Nutrition & Metabolism (3 units)

DFM 785 Seminar in Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 units)

DFM 881 Internship in Dietetics (6 units)

Total units: 12 units

Supervised practice experiences (DFM 881) are completed under the direction of a dietitian or foodservice manager in a facility or program serving children, adults, and/or older adults in a healthcare or community setting. The internship is based on specific experiences and competencies set forth by the American Dietetic Association. A total of 1,200 practice hours is required in the internship in order to meet the requirements of the American Dietetic Association. Both fall and spring semester enrollment are required.

Rotations will generally include the following:

• 16-17 weeks in an acute care clinical hospital
• 5-8 weeks in a long-term care/skilled nursing facility, outpatient, or other clinical setting
• 5 weeks in a foodservice systems management rotation
• 3-7 weeks in community nutrition and/or public health organizations
• 3 weeks in an elective

The array of clinical, community, and food service rotations will allow the intern to have a variety of experiences in dietetics, with a concentration in medical nutrition therapy. Rotations begin in mid-August and end the following year at the end of May or the beginning of June. Interns will be given two weeks off during December/January, and one week off for Spring Break. Since this is an intensive program, interns should not expect to hold outside jobs while enrolled in the program.