Master of Science in Nutrition /

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE DIDACTIC PROGRAM IN DIETETICS

The mission of the didactic program in dietetics is to provide a strong science-based foundation to prepare and inspire graduates to utilize their discipline knowledge and critical thinking skills with diverse individuals, various life stages, and a changing environment so they are prepared for rigorous supervised practice leading to eligibility for becoming registered dietitian nutritionists and beyond as leaders in the community.

GOALS AND OUTCOME MEASURES

Program Goal #1:  Graduates will progress to supervised practice, health or science related professions, graduate school, or a nutrition-related profession

Objectives with Target Measures:

• At least 80% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 80% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 80% of students complete program requirements within three (3) years (150% of planned program length).
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• Over a period of three years, 80% of program graduates who do not continue to supervised practice will be employed in a nutrition-related profession, a health or science-related profession, or enrolled in graduate school within 12 months of graduation.
• Over a period of three years, 80% of program graduates will rate their preparedness for supervised practice, graduate school or employment as satisfactory or higher.
• Over a period of three years, 80% of supervised practice directors will rate program graduates as being prepared for supervised practice as satisfactory or higher.

Program Goal #2: Graduates will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills in discipline-specific knowledge including cultural competence.

Objectives with Target Measures:

• Over a period of three years, 80% of program graduates will rate that they received opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills as satisfactory or higher.
• Over a period of three years, 80% of supervised practice directors will rate that students completing the DPD were prepared in critical thinking and problem solving as satisfactory or higher.
• Over a period of three years, 80% of program graduates will rate that they gained awareness of health disparities in diverse populations and gained skills to assess individual healthcare needs across the lifespan while they were enrolled in the program as satisfactory or higher.

Program outcome data is available to the public by request