John E. Weems Graduate School
Nutrition

Mission and Goals


In accordance with the Standards of Practice of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), as well as the mission and purpose of Meredith College and the John E. Weems Graduate School, the philosophy of the internship program at Meredith is to build on the academic preparation of Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD). It provides the education in clinical nutrition, public health, and food service management for entry-level dietitians as stated in the Standards of Education published by the CADE. Interns will gain solid understanding and experience in normal and clinical nutrition, public heath nutrition, and food service management. They will apply nutritional principles to all stages of the life cycle, disease prevention, control of disease process, and restoration of health through effective communication and in the context of human relationships. The program, which admits qualified men and women, strives to create a supportive, diverse, and intellectually rigorous environment for dietetic education. Analytical and conceptual skills will be further developed through graduate coursework. Interns will develop the knowledge, skills and values that will prepare them to assume leadership roles and strive for professional competence, productivity , and service to society.


Program Goal 1:  The program will produce competent graduates that are ready for entry-level positions in the field of nutrition/dietetics and/or advanced degree programs in nutrition, dietetics, or allied health fields.

  1. Graduates will successfully pass the RD Exam on their first attempt.  
  2. Graduates who seek employment will obtain positions in nutrition/dietetics.
  3. Graduates who seek an advanced degree program in nutrition, dietetics, or allied health fields, will be accepted.
  4. Employers will find graduates to be competent dietetic practitioners in the workplace. 
  5. Interns will successfully complete the DI program. 
  6. Graduates will assess themselves as meeting knowledge requirements for entry-level dietitians. 
  7. Graduates will assess themselves as meeting performance requirements for entry-level dietitians.


Target Measures:

  1. Ninety percent of graduates will pass the registration exam for dietitians on the first attempt.

  2. Ninety percent of graduates who seek employment will obtain positions in nutrition/dietetics within three months of completing the program.
  3. Ninety percent of graduates who seek graduate school in nutrition, dietetics or allied health field will be accepted. .

  4. Eighty-five percent of employers will rate graduates as average, above average or excellent dietetic practitioners.

  5. Ninety-five percent of interns will complete the DI program within 16.5 months of the start of the program.

  6. Ninety percent of graduates will assess themselves as having at least satisfactory, more than satisfactory or outstanding knowledge required for entry-level dietitians.

  7. Ninety percent of graduates will assess themselves as having at least satisfactory, more than satisfactory or outstanding performance required for entry-level dietitians.

Program Goal 2: The program will produce graduates that provide leadership and/or service professionally and to the community.

Target Measures:

  1. Ninety percent of graduates will rate themselves as having at least satisfactory, more than satisfactory or outstanding leadership skills in the workplace.
  2. Seventy-five percent of graduates will provide leadership or service professionally and to the community at 3-5 years post-graduation.