Program Purpose

---

The purpose of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is to develop informed and productive citizens of their family, faith, community, and nation who are prepared to perform effectively in supervised practice and to make meaningful contributions to the dietetics profession.

Graduates of the Didactic Program in Dietetics will:

1. Excel in supervised practice or other professional pursuits through provision of current knowledge and development of skills.
2. Pursue continuing education and personal and professional growth.
3. Develop ethical and moral values in personal and professional life.

 

Following prerequisite courses, the Didactic Program in Dietetics consists primarily of dietetics course work at the junior and senior level. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Following graduation, students must gain acceptance into and complete an accredited dietetic internship and/or graduate program to qualify for the national examination required for Registered Dietitian Nutritionistist (RDN) status. Career opportunities fall into the three primary areas of Medical Nutrition Therapy, Foodservice Systems Administration, and Community/Public Health Nutrition. In addition to the planned curriculum, students are encouraged to belong to the Student Dietetic Association (SDA). In SDA, students develop leadership and social skills, participate in service activities, and meet professional role models. Also, students are strongly encouraged to have 500 hours of dietetics-related work and/or volunteer experience prior to applying to dietietc internship/graduate programs. These activities add depth and increased understanding to the academic experience.

Curricular Structure

Catalog Information

 

 

Learning Outcomes

---

Scientific Evidence

Integrate scientific information and translate research into practice.

(2022 ACEND Standards KRDN 1.1-1.3)

Professional Practice

Demonstrate professionalism in beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors, and communication.

(2022 ACEND Standards KRDN 2.1-2.9)

 

Nutrition Care Process

Explain and apply all areas of the nutrition care process.

(2022 ACEND Standards KRDN 3.1-3.6)

Management and Resource Use

Apply principles of management and systems in provision of services to individuals and organizations

(2022 ACEND Standards KRDN 4.1-4.7)

Leadership and Career Management

Develop leadership skills for professional growth as a nutrition and dietetics practioner.

(2022 ACEND Standards KRDN 5.1-5.6)

Evidence of Learning

---

Assessments of specific learning outcomes are kept by individual instructors all other tracking tools are maintained in the Program Director's office. Results are shared with Dietetics faculty members and form the basis of program planning.

Direct Measures

Assessment measures include instructor evaluations of:

1. Written and oral fieldwork reports, teaching presentations, nutrition education handouts, project presentations using PowerPoint, grant proposal, case study presentation, term papers, resume, personal statement.
2. Clinical nutrition worksheets, nutrition support worksheets, medical record charting simulation, performance of clinical laboratory techniques, examinations.
3. Capstone management project presentation and report.
4. Letter to legislator, laboratory performance, study guides, institutional menu planning,  quizzes, examinations.
5. Team project, three management projects, peer evaluations, instructor performance evaluations, reading journals, interview with health professional, examinations.
6. Written reading journals, grant proposal, capstone management project, research proposal, examinations

Indirect Measures

1. Placement rate in post-graduate Dietetic Internships
2. First time pass-rate on national Registration Examination for Dietitians
3. One-year post-graduation surveys
4. Dietetic Internship Program Director surveys

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

---

1. Dietetics faculty members review the Accreditation Council For Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Core Knowledge for the Registered Dietitian requirements annually to assure that all components of dietetics education are included in the curriculum. Feedback from assessment tools is examined to determine if any areas need to be strengthened or put in a different sequence.
2. DPD assessment data are analyzed annually.
3. Short- and long-term program management plans are established every five years. Achievement of these plans is monitored annually.
4. If plans involve changes in course content or sequencing, these are taken care of internally. If courses need to be added or deleted from the curriculum, the changes are first presented to the Department Curriculum Committee, and then to the College Curriculum Committee.

Level of Acceptable Performance for Assessment Measures

Assignments, Presentation Evaluations, Papers, Quizzes: 80% of students will achieve 80% (B-) or higher on assignments.

Lab Performance Evaluations: 80% of students will obtain at least 80% of the available points on evaluations.

 

Exams:  80% of students will achieve 70% (C-) or higher on exams.