Student Handbook

Hand book for students enrolled in the Nutrition and Dietetics Program
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and
Dietetics (ACEND).
Revised, May 2015

Table of Contents
Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2
ACCREDITATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 2
PROGRAMS MISSION ................................................................................................................................... 2
PROGRAMS GOALS ...................................................................................................................................... 2
EXPECTED GRADUATE OUTCOMES ............................................................................................................... 3
TEACHING LANGUAGE .................................................................................................................................. 3
DISTANCE EDUCATION .................................................................................................................................. 4
ADMISSION ................................................................................................................................................... 4
TUITION AND FEES ........................................................................................................................................ 4
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICEs ....................................................................................................................... 6
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ........................................................................................................................... 6
FACULTY AND STAFF ..................................................................................................................................... 6
DEANSHIP COLLEGE NATURAL SCIENCES...................................................................................................... 7
GENERAL RULES ............................................................................................................................................ 8
COURSES AND CURRICULAR SEQUENCE ....................................................................................................... 9
SELECTING YOUR COURSES FOR THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER ................................................................... 12
LEARNING ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 12
GRIEVANCE OR COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE ................................................................................................ 12
AFTER GRADUATION ................................................................................................................................... 12
CREDENTIALS .............................................................................................................................................. 13
CODE OF ETHICS:......................................................................................................................................... 13

Page | 1

INTRODUCTION
The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics of the University of Puerto Rico, Ro Piedras Campus,
is offered in the College of Natural Sciences, Ro Piedras campus. This is a four-year program and was
founded in 1930.

ACCREDITATIONS
The University of Puerto Rico, Ro Piedras campus, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on
Higher Education (MSCHE). http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm
The Bachelor of Science Nutrition and Dietetics program of the College of Natural Science is accredited
as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and
Dietetics (ACEND). http://www.eatright.org/ACEND/content.aspx?id=73

PROGRAMS MISSION
The DPDs mission is to provide the academic preparation necessary for entry-level registered dietitians
and to prepare nutritionists and dietitians qualified to offer educational, administrative and clinical
services in medical nutrition therapy and in the management of foodservice systems. The Program
trains professionals to work in different scenarios within an ever-changing and culturally diverse
society. The integration of knowledge and skills specialized in food and nutrition will permit the
graduates to promote the general welfare of the individual, the family and the community, helping them
to obtain optimal nutrition in health or in sickness, throughout their life cycle. Thus, the mission is
consistent with the academic preparation required for dietetic practice.

PROGRAMS GOALS
The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics goals are:
I. Program Goal 1:
Prepare graduates who are well qualified to apply for an appointment to a dietetic internship and/or
admission to a graduate program in nutrition or dietetics, and to pass the Puerto Rican licensure and RD
exams.
II. Program Goal 2:
Prepare graduates to work effectively with culturally diverse populations in a variety of settings and to
participate in research to advance nutrition, dietetics, or a related field.
Page | 2

EXPECTED GRADUATE OUTCOMES

1.1 Eighty percent of graduates who answer the Graduates Survey will rate their overall preparation
in nutrition and dietetics as satisfactory or above.
1.2 Fifty percent or more of the students enrolled in the DPD Program will complete program/degree
requirements within 150% of the time planned for completion, or 6 years.
1.3 Sixty percent of DPD graduates will apply to supervised practice programs within 12 months of
graduation.
1.4 Eighty percent of those applying to supervised practice programs within 12 months of graduation
will be accepted.
1.5 Eighty percent of graduate program faculty surveyed will rate the overall performance of UPRDPD students in their program as good or better.
1.6 Eighty percent of graduates who take the Puerto Rican Licensure exam for the first time will pass it.
1.7 Eighty percent of graduates who take de RD exam for the first time will pass it.
1.8 Seventy-five percent of the Dietetic Internship Director/Proctor will rate the performance of
interns as satisfactory or above during their internship experience.
1.9 Eighty percent of UPR-DPD graduates in dietetic internships will rate their academic preparation
for the DI as satisfactory or better.
2.1 Eighty percent of the employers surveyed will rate as effective the work of their dietitians, who are
DPD graduates, with culturally diverse populations in a variety of settings.
2.2 Eighty percent of graduates who complete the requirements for becoming dietitians indicate that
they work effectively with culturally diverse populations in a variety of settings.
2.3 Eight percent of the employers surveyed will indicate that their dietitians, who are DPD graduates,
participate in research to advance nutrition, dietetics, or a related field when required.
2.4 Eighty percent of graduates who complete the requirements for becoming dietitians indicate that
they participate in research to advance nutrition, dietetics or a related field when required.

TEACHING LANGUAGE
Most of the courses are taught in Spanish. It is required for all students to be proficient in English to be
able to study in the campus, for all textbooks are in English and many questions in English are included
in tests in concentration courses.

Page | 3

DISTANCE EDUCATION
Our Program received a grant from the USDA to convert and offer several course sin distance education
format. Every semester courses are offered according to student demand. The University uses
Blackboard as preferred platform although other courses may be taught in other course management
system platforms. Courses to be offered are: Research Methods in Nutrition (NUTR 4198), Management
of Foodservice System (NUTR 4175) and Clinical Dietetics (NUTR 4165). Additional courses could be
offered in distance education and will be announced during course selection process.

ADMISSION
Information

related

to

admission

requirements

and

processes

can

be

found

at

http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm. Information related to academic offerings i described in

the Manual de Ofrecimientos Acadmicos at http://estudiantes.upr.edu/admisiones/carreras/index.php,
and at http://web_new.uprrp.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/admisiones-subgraduadas.pdf

TUITION AND FEES

Detailed information the costs of obtaining a Bachelors degree in the University of Puerto Rico can be
found in http://estudiantes.upr.edu/ayudas/costos.html.

Undergraduate credits: Student will pay $49.00 per undergraduate credit, plus other charges such as:
Facilities Fee: All students enrolled in the University, no matter the amount credit or courses, must pay a
$47.00 fee per tuition period.

Special Rights (These rights are not reimbursable):

Laboratory Fee: All students enrolled in courses that required practice in laboratories will pay
a $33.00 fee for every laboratory course. Students can pay up three laboratory fees per
semester.

Technology Fee: $25.00 per tuition period

Health Insurance: The fee for medical services is applied to all students that enroll in two or
more credit courses, except for graduation candidates, who must take the medical plan no

matter how many courses they are enrolled in. Students can provide proof of having a
private Health Insurance Policy to be exempt of this charge. Students, who paid for medical
services during the spring semester, will have coverage until the day before the first day of

class, whether they attended the Summer Session or not. This fee varies according to
coverage.

Page | 4

Late Tuition Payment Fee: $43.00

Deferred Payment: Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) undergraduate credits to request
deferred payment. The extensions consist in dividing tuition cost in two, three, four or five installments.
This only applies to course credits and laboratories.

Reimbursement: During the first 3 days of classes, students can receive 100% reimbursement, only the
enrolled credit amount will be reimbursed. After this period, students may also be entitled to a 50%
reimbursement in a specified time frame. The other 50%, plus all other fees, are the students
responsibility. If the student withdraws after this period, he/she is responsible for the tuition costs; this
means that he/she has no right to get reimbursed.

Exemptions: Amongst these, the Dean of Students exemptions are included (ex. Choir, Peer Advisors,

Athletes, etc.), Honor Tuition and UPR employees children. In all cases, student must have 12
undergraduate credits.

Veteran Exemption: This information can be found at the Veterans Office, in the Registrars office. This
exemption covers 100% of the Veterans tuition and 50% tuition for the Veterans children and spouse.

Scholarship: Questions related to scholarships must be made directly to the Financial Aid Program or to
the Financial Aid Fiscal Office, respectively (http://pae.uprrp.edu/)

Food: between $12.00 and $18.00/per day

Books: $400.00 per semester
Medical Certificate for NUTR 4085: $30.00
Uniforms: $120.00
Hepatitis B Vaccination: 3 doses: $180.00
Student Membership: $49.00
Transportation: Students that travel every day to the Ro Piedras campus, from different towns in the
island, have traveling expenses that can go from $500.00 to $1000.00 annually.

Page | 5

Housing: http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm The University of Puerto Rico has 2 housing

complexes for students. There are private houses or residences near the campus; the costs vary
according to the number of persons in every room, available services and location.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Student

Support

Services

and

Counseling:

The

information

can

be

found

at

http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm Student Ombudsperson or Procurador Estudiantil. The

Student Ombudspersons Office of the Ro Piedras campus, part of the Chancellors Office and pioneer
in the entire public university system, makes an effort to quicken the procedures or processes that, in
one way or another, limit the students performance and academic development.

Academic Files Privacy: http://www.uprrp.edu/registrador/documentos/certificaciones_leyes/taller_buckley2006.ppt

Institutional Policies and Regulations: http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm
Technology Division: http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm

Academic Calendar: http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The Crculo de Diettica is the Nutrition and Dietetics student organization under the advising of Dr.
Celia Mir. The organization provides social and academic activities for nutrition and dietetics students.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Dr. Nivia A. Fernndez Hernndez
Professor, Nutrition & Dietetics Program Director
and DPD Director

2438

EFAN 104

2438

EFAN 104

2438, 4611

EFAN 107

2438

EFAN 104

Vacant
DPD Assistant Director

Prof. Annabel Cruz de Ruiz

Academic Advisor

Mrs. Diana Ortiz

Administrative Secretary

Page | 6

Dr. Celia Mir

Professor and Advisor for Crculo de Diettica

2438

EFAN 104

Prof. Carmen Prez

2438

AEFAN 203

2438

AEFAN 203

2438

EFAN 108

5798, 2792

ED 577, 583

2438

EFAN 108

4611

EFAN 104

Ms. Arelis Torres

Food and Nutrition Lab Technician

4518

EFAN 107

Dr. Miriam Romero Ordoz

5798

ED 577, 583

Adjunct Faculty
Prof. Zayra Prez

Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Elsa Pinto

Associate Professor
Dr. Michelle Schelske-Santos

Professor
Dr. Brenda Toro

Associate Professor
Dr. Lizette Vicns

Professor

Biochemistry Lab technician

DEANSHIP COLLEGE NATURAL SCIENCES

Prof. Agnes Vzquez

7443

Decanato de FCN

Student Affairs Official

2303, 7961

Decanato de FCN

Dean of Student Affairs

You may also email the program administration via email at nutritionupr@gmail.com
Page | 7

GENERAL RULES
Grade Retention Norms: Minimum retention average: 2.0. The university has strict policies on
maintaining a grade point average. You may be automatically placed in probation if your grade point
average falls into 2.00.
Program Requirements: Concentration courses (NUTR code) and pure science courses must be passed
with C or better; courses passed with C or better can only be repeated twice. If a course is not
approved with C or more, students may not continue with the curricular sequence until course is
approved with C or more.
With no exceptions, all students in the process to be classified in the Program will only be allowed to
enroll a maximum of 11 credits of concentration courses with prior approval of the Assistant Dean of
Student Affairs of the College of Natural Sciences and Program Director. Courses-sections are subject to
availability of space and prior approval of established prerequisites.
Academic Advising: The Program will appoint an academic advisor who will offer academic advising to
students from the Program. Students may request an appointment by contacting the Programs
administrative office to go voluntarily to him/her for advice or who are referred by the Colleges
Director, counselors, or advisors. For referred students, the early identification of students with possible
difficulties and the attention to students in probation processes, established by the College of Natural
Sciences, will be used. It is recommended that students visit their academic advisor every year to
evaluate their academic progress and curricular sequence.
Partial Withdrawals: Professors must let students know their partial grades by the 8th week of class. The
students that decide to drop a course must do so before the 11th week of class. Please refer to the
academic calendar for specific dates on partial withdrawals.
Reference: Certification No. 58, 2006-07 academic year, RRP Academic Senate.
Plagiarism: The Program and the University has a strict policy on academic honesty and plagiarism. You
are encouraged to access the following document to learn about plagiarism and the university policy
regarding this issue. http://www.uprrp.edu/images/opusculohonestidad.pdf

Page | 8

For everything else, the norms established by the Institution will be followed; these can be accessed at:
http://fae.uprrp.edu/pdf/RGE28Jul2011.pdf
Rules and Disciplinary Procedures, Suspensions: The norms established by the Institution will be

followed; these can be accessed at http://fae.uprrp.edu/pdf/RGE28Jul2011.pdf Reglamento General de

Estudiantes-Captulo VI Normas Disciplinarios y Procedimientos pages 31-42.

Graduation Requirements: Total credits hours required: It is required to approve a hundred and thirtyfour (134) hour credit in order to obtain the degree.

To receive a Verification Statement from de DPD Director the student must:

Pass all concentration courses with a grade of C or better, BEFORE continuing with the

curricular sequence. This was approved, for all concentration (major) courses, by the Board of
Trustees in the Programs 1995 proposal. Also, the student will not be allowed to repeat a
course that he/she passed with C more than twice.

Comply with all the components required by the ACEND for the DPDs accreditation.

It is made as soon as the Registrars Office corroborates that all requirements to grant the
degree have been met. It is given personally to each and every student and graduation
candidate. This document is necessary to enter an ACEND accredited Internship.

Minimum GPA:

General Grade Point Average (to graduate): 2.50

Concentration (major) Grade Point Average (to graduate): 2.50

Dietetic Internships Requirements:

Effective for 2015 applications, the Dietetics Internship Program of the Veterans

Administration Hospital is requiring a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.30 or above in the
concentration courses.

Program Duration and Time Degree: The program is designed so that a full-time student may be able to
complete it in four years. The maximum time allowed for a student to complete the program is ten
years. The goal is to have students complete the program in 150% of the time or six years.

COURSES AND CURRICULAR SEQUENCE

The Program provides a recommended curricular sequence that will allow students to complete the
programs requirements in four years. It is strongly recommended that students adhere to this sequence
and to contact their academic advisor once a year to verify they are meeting the necessary requirements
to move forward and finish successfully.
Page | 9

Programa de Nutricin y Diettica

Componente de Educacin General
ESPA *
INGL *
CISO *
HUMA*
CIBI 4105, CIFI
4995 o CIFI
4005
CIFI 3010

Espaol (parte I y II)

Ingls (parte I y II)
Ciencias Sociales (parte I y II)
Humanidades (parte I y II)
Ciencias Biolgicas/ Fsicas en Ciencias Naturales
(Cursos tomados en la Facultad de Estudios Generales.
Verificar las secciones que estn reservadas para estudiantes
de Cs. Naturales, ya que pueden variar por semestre.)
Elementos de Ciencias Fsicas para Nutricionistas y Dietistas

MATE 3023

Pre-clculo I

MATE 3024

Pre-clculo II

MATE 3151**
Artes*
(un curso)
Literatura*
(dos cursos)

Clculo I
Accese la pgina del Recinto de Ro Piedras:
http://daarrp.uprrp.edu/daa/cursos_educacion_general.html
Accese la pgina del Recinto de Ro Piedras:
http://daarrp.uprrp.edu/daa/cursos_educacion_general.html

Crds.

Aprobado

En
Progreso

Por
Aprobar

Requisitos Previos y
Concurrentes

3-3
3-3
3-3
3-3
3

Para estudiantes de Ciencias

Naturales que tengan
aprobados 60 crditos o ms.

-Aprueba el curso de inmersin

en verano o,
-Aprovechamiento en College
Board entre 600-699 pts. o,
-MATE 3001 aprobada con B o C
Aprueba el curso de inmersin
de verano MATE 3023
MATE 3023-3024 o MATE 3018

3
3-3

43
Componente de Concentracin- Requisitos de Acreditacin Profesional (Aprobados con C o +) (Cursos con C solo pueden repetirse dos veces)
BIOL 3102
Biologa General II
4
BIOL 3101
Biologa General I
4
QUIM 3001
BIOL 3102 concurrente BIOL
BIOL
Biologa Humana I y II
3-3
3711; BIOL 3711 para BIOL
3711-3712***
3712
BIOL 3705
Microbiologa
4
BIOL 3101
BIOL 3349
Gentica
3
BIOL 3101 y MATE 3026
QUIM
MATE 3023-3024
Qumica General I y II
4-4
3001-3002
QUIM 3015
Compendio de Qumica Orgnica
4
QUIM 3002
MATE 3026
Introduccin a las Estadsticas con Computadoras
3
MATE 3023-3024
36
Cursos componente de Concentracin (Aprobados con C o +) (Cursos con C solo pueden repetirse dos veces)
NUTR 4031
Ciencia de los Alimentos
3
QUIM 3001
NUTR 4041*** Nutricin Humana I
3
QUIM 3001, BIOL 3711
NUTR 4045*** Nutricin Humana Aplicada
1
QUIM 3001, BIOL 3711
Compra de Alimentos para Sistemas de Servicios de
2
NUTR 4055
NUTR 4031, NUTR 4075
Alimentos
Diseo de Facilidades y Compra de Equipo para Sistemas de
NUTR 4068
2
NUTR 4031, NUTR 4075
Servicios de Alimentos
NUTR 4075
Administracin de Sistemas de Servicios de Alimentos
3
NUTR 4086
NUTR 4041, 4045, 4055, 4068,
Men para Sistemas de Servicios de Alimentos
3
BIOL 3705
NUTR 4085
Produccin de Alimentos en Grandes Cantidades
3
NUTR 4086
QUIM 3015, BIOL 3712, NUTR
NUTR 4158*** Bioqumica Humana
3
4041, 4045, evidencia de
vacuna HBV
QUIM 3015, BIOL 3712, NUTR
NUTR 4159*** Laboratorio de Bioqumica
1
4041, 4045, Concurrente con
ra
NUTR 4158 (la 1 vez)
NUTR 4042*** Nutricin Humana II
3
NUTR 4158, 4159
NUTR 4158, 4159; Concurrente con
NUTR 4165*** Diettica Clnica (slo se ofrece 1er semestre)
2
NUTR 4166***

Diettica Clnica Avanzada (slo se ofrece 2do semestre)

NUTR 4169
NUTR 4042, 4165, 4169

Page | 10

Componente de Educacin General

Crds.

NUTR 4169***

Diettica Clnica Aplicada (slo se ofrece 1er semestre)

NUTR 4170
NUTR 4175
NUTR 4176
NUTR 4198
NUTR 4225

Metodologa de la Enseanza de Nutricin

Prctica de la Enseanza de Nutricin
Nutricin en la Comunidad
Mtodos de Investigacin en Nutricin
Aspectos Profesionales de la Nutricin y Diettica

Aprobado

En
Progreso

Por
Aprobar

Requisitos Previos y
Concurrentes
NUTR 4042 requisito o
concurrente; Concurrentes con
NUTR 4165

2
NUTR 4031, 4041, 4045
1
NUTR 4170
2
NUTR 4170
2
NUTR 4041, MATE 3026
1
40
Cursos del Componente de Electivas Libres
15
Total
134
Todos los cursos incluidos en el Componente de Concentracin-Requisitos de Acreditacin Profesional y en el de Cursos Componente de Concentracin
deben aprobarse con nota de C o ms previo a matricular y continuar tomando otros cursos de la secuencia curricular. Los cursos de los componentes de
concentracin aprobados con calificacin de C no podrn repetirse ms de dos veces. Los estudiantes que no puedan cumplir con estos requisitos sern
referidos a consejera profesional para orientarles sobre otras opciones acadmicas. (Propuesta Revisin Curricular 2009, pg. 25)
Sin excepcin, todo estudiante en proceso de clasificacin al Programa de Nutricin y Diettica podr tomar hasta un mximo de 11 crditos en cursos de
concentracin con la aprobacin del Decano Auxiliar de Estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y del Director del Programa. Los cursos-secciones
estarn sujetos a cupo el ltimo da de matrcula y la aprobacin de los prerrequisitos establecidos. *Consultar el siguiente enlace para la seleccin de cursos
correspondientes: http://daarrp.uprrp.edu/daa/cursos_educacion_general.html
**La FCN propone el curso Clculo I (MATE 3151) con valor de 4 crditos, como opcin para cumplir con el requisito de los 3 crditos de Pensamiento
Lgico-Matemtico o Anlisis Cuantitativo del componente de Educacin General requerido por la Certificacin Nm. 46. En el caso de que el estudiante
se le asigne un curso diferente a Clculo I, su bachillerato tendr tres crditos adicionales. El estudiante que obtenga menos de 650 en la prueba de
aprovechamiento de matemticas del Examen del College Board, debe tomar MATE 3023-3024 o MATE 3018 Preclculo con valor total de 4 crditos y
MATE 3001 (Introduccin a las Matemticas 3 crditos).
***Concurrentes: (NUTR 4041, NUTR 4045 y BIOL 3712); (NUTR 4158 y 4159, cuando se toman por primera vez); (NUTR 4165 y 4169)
(NUTR 4042 puede ser concurrente con NUTR 4169)

SECUENCIA CURRICULAR SUGERIDA Efectivo agosto 2015

Primer Ao
Segundo Ao
Primer Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
ESPA *
3
INGL *
3
CIFI 3010
3
BIOL 3102
4
MATE 3023
2
HUMA*
3
Sub-total

18

Segundo Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
ESPA *
3
INGL *
3
ELECTIVA
3
HUMA *
3
MATE 3024
2
NUTR 4225
1
CISO*
3
Sub-total
18

Primer Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
QUIM 3001
4
BIOL 3711
3
MATE 3151 **
4
MATE 3026
3
NUTR 4075
3

Segundo Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
QUIM 3002
4
BIOL 3712 ***
3
BIOL 3101
4
NUTR 4041 ***
3
NUTR 4031
3
NUTR 4045 ***
1

Sub-total

Sub-total

Tercer Ao

17

18

Cuarto Ao

Primer Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
QUIM 3015
4
NUTR 4198
2

Segundo Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
NUTR 4158 ***
3
NUTR 4159 ***
1

NUTR 4055
NUTR 4068
BIOL 3705

2
2
4

NUTR 4170
ELECTIVA
LITE*

2
3
3

BIOL 3349

Sub-total

17

ELECTIVA
CISO
Sub-Total

3
3
18

Primer Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
NUTR 4042 ***
3
1
2
NUTR 4165 ***
1
1
NUTR 4169 ***
NUTR 4175
1
NUTR 4086
3
CIBI 4105/CIFI
3
4995/CIFI 4005*
ELECTIVA
3

Segundo Semestre
Cursos
Crds.
2
2
NUTR 4166 ***
LITE*
3
NUTR 4176
2
NUTR 4085
3
ARTE*
3
ELECTIVA

Sub-total

Sub-total

16

16

Total de crditos del Bachillerato: 134

Page | 11

SELECTING YOUR COURSES FOR THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER

The Nutrition and Dietetics Program requires all students to complete a form prior to course
registration that will facilitate the number of courses and sections that are needed for our students each
semester. Every student must complete and hand in the form at the Programs office at the specified
deadline. Deadlines and copies of forms can be found at the Programs website, office or via email upon
request. This is usually completed a month prior to official registration of courses in the university.

LEARNING ASSESSMENT
The Accreditation Council of Education in Nutrition and Dietetics requires all accredited programs in
dietetics to have a formal learning assessment plan. The learning assessment plan is used to evidence the
acquisition of required knowledge in our students to become successful registered dietitians. Also, the
plan helps identify areas of strength and weakness within our curriculum. As a student you should
become familiar with this process during your time in the Program and you may be asked to help us
identify ways to help us assess the learning process. A detailed learning assessment plan of our Program
can be obtained by contacting Professor Elsa Pinto at elsa.pinto@upr.edu.

GRIEVANCE OR COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Students who have concerns about an academic situation are encouraged to speak with the parties

involved or contact their academic advisor. If no solution is found students may visit the Office of
the Student Ombudsman for assistance at extension 1402, 2780.

AFTER GRADUATION
Internship
DPD Program Graduates qualify to apply and be admitted in an accredited Dietetics Internship Program
(DIP). This supervised practice is an important step for all those who aspire to become a Registered
Dietitian (RD) or a Licensed Dietitian in Puerto Rico. There are over 240 Internship programs in the
United States and three of them are in Puerto Rico. Every year, each of the Dietetics Internships in Puerto
Rico gives 10 qualified candidates a position. In order to be eligible to apply, the candidate must comply
with the DPD requirements or have a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree from a

Page | 12

ACEND accredited program. Each candidate must complete the Internships official application form,
obtain a Verification Statement from the DPD Program Director and be registered for a computer
matching with D&D Digital. The Nutrition and Dietetics Program will assist students during this process
and will offer orientation meetings to those who must apply upon graduation.

CREDENTIALS
By successfully completing a ACEND accredited Dietetics Internship Program (DIP), the candidate
becomes eligible to be examined by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR). Once the
examination is approved, the candidate will receive an RD (Registered Dietitian) credential. The DI will
also allow the students to take the Professional Board Examination offered by the Board of Examiners for
Nutritionists and Dietitians of Puerto Rico, which will grant, qualified candidates, the LND license to be
able to practice as a Nutritionist-Dietitian in Puerto Rico. The LND candidate who doesnt complete the
DI after completing all other requisites, or after the Bachelors degree is granted, will be able to
complete a Masters degree in any of the many fields of Nutrition and Dietetics, from an accredited
institution. The Masters degree of the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus offers
students the opportunity to take the Professional Board Examination offered by the Board of Examiners
for Nutritionists and Dietitians of Puerto Rico, which will grant, qualified candidates, the LND license to
be able to practice as a Nutritionist-Dietitian in Puerto Rico.

CODE OF ETHICS:
1. Cdigo de Conducta Estudiantil
http://www.upr.edu/frames/uprrp/index.htm
2. College of Nutritionists and Dietitians of Puerto Rico
http://www.nutricionpr.org
3. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethic for the Profession of Dietetics
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada

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