Verification Statement

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Verification statements are issued upon completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The DPD Verification Statement verifies that a student has completed an ACEND-accredited DPD and is eligible to apply for an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (dietetic internship). After completing a dietetic internship, a second verification statement will be issued verifying eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you must have your college transcript(s) evaluated by the DPD Program Director to determine the additional classes that are needed to be satisfactorily completed to obtain a Verification Statement. You may need to submit syllabi of transfer coursework for determination of equivalency for DPD requirements.  Declaring a second degree in Food and Nutrition (dietetics option) while completing the remaining DPD classes allows you to be eligible for financial aid.

Once all of the DPD course requirements are completed for the Food and Nutrition Major (dietetics option) and the Registrar has cleared the student for graduation from MSU, the DPD Program Director will issue six originals of the Verification Statement. Suggested uses for the Verification Statements:

  • to include in your permanent file
  • to submit for active membership status in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • to submit with application to dietetic internships
  • to submit with application for state licensure/certification
  • to submit with application for CDR specialty practice certifications

 Post-baccalaureate students wishing to pursue a master’s degree while completing DPD requirements to earn a Verification Statement must first apply and be admitted to the MSU graduate program in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences or an MSU graduate program in a related area.  College transcript(s) must be evaluated by the DPD Program Director to determine the additional classes that are needed to be satisfactorily completed to obtain a Verification Statement. Often an additional semester or two is needed to complete both MS graduate requirements and DPD requirements.  Students who earn an MS degree while working on the DPD requirements to earn a Verification Statement will be eligible to apply to an accredited Dietetic Internship.

Verification Statements are important: Once a student receives their signed original verification statement, it is their responsibility to keep it in a safe place for easy access when needed. Official copies of student DPD Verification Statements will be kept on file permanently by the DPD director for all DPD students.

Verification Policy for Post-Baccalaureate Students

If a student already has a bachelor’s degree in another field, the student must have his or her college transcript(s) evaluated by the DPD Director to determine the additional classes that are needed to be satisfactorily completed in order to obtain a verification statement. Certain courses must be taken at Montana State University to obtain a verification statement from MSU. (See verification policy above.) Declaring a second degree in Food and Nutrition (dietetics option) while completing the remaining DPD classes may allow eligibility for financial aid.

Post-baccalaureate students wishing to pursue a master’s degree while completing DPD requirements to earn a verification statement must first apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences or to an MSU graduate program in a related area.  College transcript(s) must be evaluated by the DPD Director to determine the additional classes that are needed to be satisfactorily completed in order to obtain a verification statement. (See verification policy above.)  Often an additional semester or two are needed in order to complete both graduate requirements and DPD requirements.