FAQ
General Undergraduate Terms
Degree
Major
DARS Report
Dietetics Terms
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
Dietetic Internship (DI)
Verification Statement
General Undergraduate Program Questions
How do I declare a major in Nutritional Sciences?
Students NOT currently in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS)
- Sign into Learn@UW
- Click “SELF REGISTRATION” in the top right hand corner.
- Enroll in “Dietetics Handbook” course and follow the prompts until you are registered for the course.
- Select “Dietetics Handbook” > “Introduction to Dietetics” and read the Handbook and watch the Presentation
- Select “Pre-Advising Questionnaire” and download the “outside-CALS” version.
- Upload the completed form to the course dropbox.
- Bring completed Transfer Form, included in the “outside-CALS” packet, to Sarah Golla, Rm 238A Nutritional Sciences (or leave in her mailbox). She will obtain advisor signatures and return the form to you.
- Attend a CALS Transfer Session:
- Sessions are held every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 3:30 pm during the Fall and Spring semesters in Agriculture Hall, Rm 116.
- Students should arrive 5 minutes early to check-in. Reserve a seat ahead of time by calling (608) 262-3003 or visiting the CALS website.
- Students should expect to declare their major at this session. They should also come prepared with the name of their faculty advisor as it will be requested.
- Bring your completed Transfer Form, included in the “outside-CALS” packet.
CALS will notify the Departmental Advisor of your transfer and you will be contacted with your faculty advisor information.
Students currently enrolled in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
- Sign into Learn@UW
- Click “SELF REGISTRATION” in the top right hand corner.
- Enroll in “Dietetics Handbook” course and follow the prompts until you are registered for the course.
- Select “Dietetics Handbook” > “Introduction to Dietetics” and read the Handbook and watch the Presentation
- Select “Pre-Advising Questionnaire” and download the “within-CALS” version.
- Upload the completed form to the course dropbox.
- Email Sarah Golla, Departmental Advisor, at sarah.seibold@wisc.edu and let her know that you have uploaded your form. She will match you with a faculty advisor.
Contact Sarah Golla, Departmental Advisor, with any questions.
Sarah Golla, MSW, GCDF
- Phone: (608) 265-1020
- Email: sarah.seibold@wisc.edu
- Office: Nutritional Sciences, Rm 238A
- Schedule an advising appointment with your account: Starfish
If I understand what is required of me to successfully complete my degree do I still need to see my advisor?
When meeting with your advisor, bring a copy of your DARS and a good idea of the courses you are interested in taking.
What is the difference between Dietetics and Bachelor of Science Degree?
Is Financial Aid available?
How and when do I apply to the Dietetics Program
Official copy of UW-Madison transcript
Evaluation of transfer credits and official copies of transcripts from all transfer institutions (if applicable)After submission of a complete application, the student’s status will be changed from Pre-Dietetics (PDI) to Dietetics (ADI).
Am I required to declare Pre-Dietetics before applying to the Dietetics Program?
What is the 'Didactic Program' and what is its purpose?
How long will it take for me to complete the DPD?
When I complete the DPD what kind of degree will I have?
Once I have completed my degree, what are my chances of getting a Dietetic Internship and passing the Registration Exam?
- Overall undergraduate GPA and GPA in science and professional courses (3.3 or above, although a slightly lower GPA may be accepted along with strong work or volunteer experience)
- Dietetics related work and volunteer experience
- Leadership experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Letter of application
- Interview
- Between fall 2003 and spring 2008, 87% of the UW graduates who applied for dietetic internships were placed. This exceeded the national average acceptance of about 65%. Of the U.W. graduates taking the registration examination, more than 90% passed the examination on the first try. For further information, see Improving Your Chances for an Internship.
Are there any specific costs associated with enrollment in the Didactic Program?
What is the difference between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
I am currently enrolled at a college/university other than U.W. Madison. I want to transfer to U.W. Madison and apply to the Dietetics Program. How do I know which of my courses will transfer and count toward my degree?
I already have a Bachelor's degree. Can I still apply for the Dietetics Program?
Students who have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree would need to complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics – DPD. See the Dietetics Curriculum Sheet for a list of courses required to complete the DPD at UW-Madison. Once you have completed these courses (i.e. DPD), you may apply for Dietetic Internships.
Although it is not necessary to actually complete a “2nd degree”, students must apply as a 2nd degree candidate (rather than as a “special student”) to receive registration priority and be eligible for future admission into the Didactic Program in Dietetics (ADI classification).
All students begin the program as “Pre-Dietetics” students (PDI classification). Admission to “Pre-Dietetics” (PDI Classification) does not guarantee admission to the B.S. Dietetics degree program (ADI Classification), which has additional admission requirements. See the Admission Requirements for more details.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to be admitted as a 2nd Degree Candidate in the Department of Nutritional Sciences with the PDI Classification, you must have:
- A minimum cumulative college GPA of > 3.000, and
- Completed the equivalent of UW-Madison’s Chemistry 103 with a grade of B or
better. (Chemistry 103 can be completed as a “special student” at UW-
Madison.)
Graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Dietetics program
Requests for Degree Certification
Student Certifications
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Office of the Registrar – certifications
333 East Campus Mall #10101
Madison, WI 53715-1384
Please contact Departmental Advisor, Sarah Golla (sarah.seibold@wisc.edu) with questions.
Requests for Verification Statements
If you have graduated, you may obtain a Verification Statement by submitting the following to Tara LaRowe:
- “Official” UW-Madison transcript with the degree posted.
- “Official” transcripts from all other colleges/universities attended (unless you have already submitted them previously).
- Request Form –Verification Statement
- Academic Requirement Checklist
If you are requesting a Verification Statement, DO NOT submit this request until after your degree is posted to your transcript! Please allow 1-2 weeks for completion of the Verification Statement.
When completing the DPD Contact Information in DICAS to submit your request, please type in the following:
DPD Director Information
First Name: Denise
Last Name: Ney
Email address: ney@nutrisci.wisc.edu
If you have not submitted the proper documentation to Makayla Schuchardt prior to requesting the form via DICAS, your request will be denied.
Once the appropriate form has been completed, you will be able to review it and then add your electronic signature so it can be included in your application. If you are matched, you will need to send a “hard copy” to the internship program.