Program Mission

The mission of the DPD is to provide an environment that will enable students to become competent dietetic practitioners who are prepared for the challenges of a changing global society.

Program Goals and Measurable Outcomes

Goal 1: Provide a sound academic background in dietetics and its supporting disciplines for supervised practice and/or employment.

Goal 2: Provide opportunities for the development of leadership and communication skills and a commitment to self-directed learning   

Goal 3: Provide opportunities for the development of critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving skills.

Accreditation Status

The DPD is currently granted Developmental Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 216 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040.

Upon completion of the DPD, graduates may pursue participation in a post-baccalaureate supervised practice program (dietetic internship). Successful completion of the dietetic internship, followed by a passing score on the Registration Examination for Dietitians, fulfills the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). A current listing of supervised practice programs is available at www.eatright.org/cade . Mississippi State University offers a Dietetic Internship/Graduate Studies Program and accepts applications from graduates of the DPD.

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts uniquely qualified to address the public's growing interest in nutrition, health, and lifestyle management. RDs study a variety of subjects, including food and nutrition, physical and biological sciences, foodservice management, business, economics, and communications. The Food and Nutrition concentration at Mississippi State University prepares students for a wide variety of career opportunities, including employment in health care, business and industry, public health, education, research, and private practice settings. RDs work in:

  • hospitals, health maintenance organizations or other health care facilities, educating patients about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team;
  • foodservice operations in health care settings, corporate worksites, schools, day care centers, and correctional facilities;
  • sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs, educating clients about the connection between food, fitness, and health;
  • food and nutrition-related businesses and industries, in communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, or product development;
  • community and public health settings teaching, monitoring, and advising the public, and helping to improve their quality of life through healthy eating habits;
  • universities and medical centers, teaching physicians, nurses, dietetic students, and others the science of food and nutrition;
  • research areas in food and pharmaceutical companies, universities and hospitals, directing or conducting experiments to answer critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations for the public.