Course Completion

Self-Paced Enroll Anytime

With UND's Nutrition & Foodservice Professional Training Program offered in an independent study format, you can study to be a Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP) without leaving your job or sacrificing time with family.

With independent study courses, you can:

enroll anytime
take up to 12 months to complete your course
learn at your own pace
complete lessons on your own schedule
pick your preferred time and place for studying

You can work at your own pace from the comfort of your own home. And the best part...You don't have to wait to get started!

What you can expect from the NFP course?

Offered through distance learning by the University of North Dakota since 1973.
Approved by the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP).
Prepares you to pass the CDM, CFPP Credentialing Exam® so you can earn your CDM, CFPP credential.
Has one of the highest credentialing exam pass rates among all correspondence and online courses.
Taught by expert instructors who are available to answer your questions via email.
Available in two independent study formats: online or correspondence by mail.
The online format requires all assignments be submitted as Microsoft Word documents.
The online and correspondence by mail formats require that all quizzes and exams are completed online.
The online and correspondence by mail formats provide the Preceptor's Manual online.
Requires 120 hours of classroom experience and 150 hours of field experience in an institutional foodservice facility, arranged for by the student with the facility; and monitored by a registered dietitian (RD).
Provides the services of an off-site RD preceptor from UND (online format ONLY) if an on-site RD preceptor is not available. An additional, non-refundable fee of $350 applies.
There are no refunds after registering for this course.

Timeline

You have 12 months to complete your course. To allow for the shipment of your course materials, your 12-month timeline starts 2 weeks after your application is processed, however you're welcome to begin as soon as your materials or email with login information arrives.

If you need more time and have successfully completed Unit 1 (Lessons 1-4 and Exam #1) you are eligible to purchase a 9-month extension for $100 per extension.

If you have not made adequate progress (successful completion of Unit 1 - Lessons 1-4 and Exam #1) and do not purchase an extension prior to your 12-month completion date, your course will be canceled.

Extensions

You are eligible for a 9-month extension if you meet the following criteria:

In Blackboard
- You have earned an “S” (Satisfactory) grade for lesson worksheets 1-4 in Lessons 1-4.

AND

- You have scored at least 70% on Exam 1 under Lesson 5.

-OR-

In Blackboard Ultra
- You have earned a "complete" grade for lesson worksheets 1-4 in Lessons 1-4.

AND

- You have scored at least 70% on Exam 1 under Lesson 5.

The cost for a 9-month extension is $100. Please visit the Extensions page for more information.

Important Notice for DM10 Students

Each student is assigned an end date that falls 12 months after their official start date. Please make sure you are aware of your specific end date as you work toward completing your program requirements.

Because the DM10 course will be officially retired on December 10, 2026, extension options will be limited. Standard 9-month extensions will not be available for DM10 enrollments whose end dates fall after February 2026. If you qualify for an extension, it will be shorter than the usual duration, and details will be provided as you approach your end date if you have not yet finished the course.

All coursework must be submitted no later than your individual end date. No assignments can be accepted after December 10, 2026, under any circumstances.

Students who do not complete DM10 by their end date or before its retirement, whichever comes first, will need to enroll in the updated DM11 course, pay the new course fee, and begin the program again. Work completed in DM10 cannot be transferred to DM11, and new textbooks will be required.

If you are currently enrolled in DM10 and anticipate needing extra time, please plan accordingly with these deadlines in mind.

DM11 students may disregard this notice.