UDC's Nutrition and Dietetics Program Receives Full Accreditation

The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia is pleased to announce the continuing accreditation of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) was visited by ACEND team in September 2014 for program review in determination for the continuing accreditation. 

The ACEND Board voted to continue full accreditation of the DPD program for a term of seven years, ending December 31, 2022. Accreditation was announced Feb. 12, 2016.

“Achieving the prestigious ACEND re-accreditation is a reflection of the quality of our DPD program; as well as our amazing CAUSES leadership, the strategic planning process both at the university and college level, and our dedicated faculty and landgrant staff,” said Dr. Prema Ganganna, Chair, Department of Health, Nursing and Nutrition, CAUSES.

ACEND is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists or dietetic technicians. The entity serves and protects students and the public by establishing and enforcing eligibility requirements and accreditation standards, thus assuring the quality and continued improvement of programs that reflect the evolving practice of dietetics. 

The DPD program is housed within UDC CAUSES, the only urban landgrant public institution of higher education in the nation. CAUSES offers research-based academic and community outreach programs that improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for people and communities in the District of Columbia, the nation and the world. The mission of the DPD program is to provide program graduates with the skills and knowledge to be confident and competent in their dietetic internship and serve as professionals capable of providing excellent entry-level dietetic services in community, food service, management, and clinical settings. The program, which was last accredited in 2004, is the only accredited DPD program in Washington, DC.

“This accreditation is one of the most important for our College and for the District of Columbia,” said Sabine O’Hara, Dean of CAUSES and Director of Landgrant Programs. “Being knowledgeable about nutrition, healthy diets and age appropriate diets is so important for our residents and for the health of our city. The reaccreditation of our program is evidence that CAUSES is committed to providing the highest-quality nutrition and dietetics education. Our students are eligible for placement in some of the most prestigious dietetic internship program in the country, and we are tremendously proud of their accomplishments.”

For more information on UDC’s Nutrition and Dietetics program, contact Dr. Ganganna at (202) 274-5516 or visit www.udc.edu/causes. For more information on ACEND, visit www.eatrightacend.org/ACEND.