Dietetic education at Auburn University dates back to 1921, shortly after the inception of the American Dietetic Association in 1917 dedicating the profession to helping the government conserve food and improve the public's health and nutrition. The Nutrition/Dietetics option is designed to prepare students interested in completing the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). This option prepares students for careers in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, public health, wellness, nutrition education and counseling, foodservice management, and food and nutrition in industry. The Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition/Dietetics consists of a 2-year pre-professional component and the 2-year Professional Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Graduates who successfully complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics are qualified to apply for a post-baccalaureate supervised-practice program (e.g., a dietetic internship), which is a requirement for eligibility to take the National Registration Examination for Dietitians and earn the RD/RDN credential.