Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

Before a student can apply to a dietetic internship, the student must first receive a document that verifies the student's completion of an approved educational program. The student must have the institution where she/he completed these courses review the relevant academic transcripts and issue the student a final verification statement before the student can enter a dietetic internship.

Important Information Regarding the DPD Evaluation

Instructions for DPD Transcript Evaluation at SJSU

Instructions for DPD Transcript Evaluation for Foreign Students

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Important Information Regarding the DPD Evaluation

• SJSU undergraduate students opting for a dietetic internship (either nationwide or at SJSU): you must have your DPD transcript evaluated one semester prior to the semester of graduation. For example, for May graduation, you must have your transcript evaluation package submitted by November 1st. For December graduation, you must have your transcript evaluation package submitted by April 1. The exact deadline date for the transcript evaluation for each semester will be posted on the door of Dr. Nancy Lu's office, CCB 106.

• Graduate students or transfer students opting for a dietetic internship (either nationwide or at SJSU): you must have your transcript evaluated at the beginning of your program.

• NuFS Students:
  You may use the Declaration of Intent for all internship applications. However, when you have completed all the courses listed on the Declaration of Intent, you must provide additional transcripts to Dr. Lu, indicating the completion of these courses with an official graduation date (month/date/year) and request the final Verification Statement be issued to you. No additional fee is required. During summer breaks, please allow 4 to 6 weeks.

• Non-NuFS Students (not pursuing a NuFS degree):
  You may use the Declaration of Intent for all internship applications. However, when you have completed all the courses listed on the Declaration of Intent, you must provide additional transcripts to Dr. Lu, indicating the completion of these courses with an official date that you have completed your last DPD courses and request the final Verification Statement be issued to you. No additional fee is required. During summer breaks, please allow 4 to 6 weeks.
  
  
• The Verification Statement is the final form you will need for this evaluation. You will receive a total of 5 copies of this statement. One copy is used for each of the following:
  
  
  • to submit to the internship training site
    
    
  • for the R.D. exam
    
    
  • to apply for ADA membership
    
    
  • for some state licensure./certificate (not required in California)
    
    
  • for yourself
    

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Instructions for DPD Transcript Evaluation at SJSU

1. Collect copies of transcripts of community colleges, colleges, and universities which you have attended. You may use a website printout copy of courses taken and grades received from SJSU. Use the curriculum plan for dietetics as a checklist.

2. Submit a complete set of transcripts, with your curriculum plan checklist. On the checklist, please indicate the year and semester, grade, and institute for each course which was completed. If you had permission to replace a course with a substitute, please indicate this on your checklist.

3. Attach a cover letter providing the following information:

   • Your official name (middle initial, etc.) to be used on the Declaration of Intent / Verification Statement.

   • Social Security Number

   • The month/year of degree(s) (B.S. or M.S.) received or expected

   • If applicable, the number of internship sites to which you plan to apply. This will determine how many copies of the Declaration of Intent / Verification Statement you will receive. If you are applying for the SJSU Internal Dietetic Internship through Dr. Sucher, please count this as one site for paperwork purposes.

   • Your phone numbers (home and work). Give hours where you can be reached, and your address for mailing (during summer/winter breaks).

   • Indicate the date you need the transcript evaluation and how you plan to pick it up.

4. Attach a check, made payable to NuFS Alumni Association:

   • $20 for NuFS Students

   • $30 for Non-NuFS students (not pursuing a NuFS degree)

5. Allow approximately two weeks for the evaluation and preparation of Declaration of Intent / Verification Statement.

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Instructions for DPD Transcript Evaluation for Foreign Students

1. First, send your foreign transcripts to:

   International Education Research Foundation
   P.O. Box 3665
   Culver City, CA 90231-3655
   Phone: 310-258-9451
   Fax: 310-342-7086
   E-Mail: info@ierf.org
   Website: www.ierf.org

This evaluation should include:

• U.S. degree equivalence
  Is the foreign degree(s) equivalent to a B.S. degree in the U.S.

• Semester units received for each course taken

• Translation of grades received (%) to letter grades (A,B,C,D,F,P/F).

This process may take 1-2 months depending on the information you provided to the agency.

2. Request the above agency send the original evaluation to:

Dr. Nancy C. Lu, Director of DPD Program
Department of Nutrition and Food Science
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0058

Also ask for a copy of the evaluation to be sent to yourself.

3. Write to Dr. Nancy Lu to request a DPD transcript evaluation. In your cover letter state the following:

• Your intent (M.S. Degree/R.D. or R.D. only).

• The degree and concentration you are currently enrolled in, and month/year of degree(s) you have received.

• Your official name (middle initial, etc.) to be used on the Declaration of Intent / Verification Statement.

• Social Security Number.

• Your phone numbers (home and work). Give hours where you can be reached, and your address for mailing.

• Attach a check, made payable to NuFS Alumni Association, for $40.

4. When you receive your copy of the evaluation from the Credential Evaluation Service, allow at least one week before calling Dr. Lu at 408-924-3109, to see if the original evaluation has been received by the Department.

5. Consultation can be conducted by phone or in person. Courses will be recommended for the completion of DPD requirements during consultation.

6. After consultation, a Declaration of Intent listing all required courses will be issued to the student. Allow approximately two weeks for this process and preparation.