Approval Status of Didactic Program in Dietetics

The undergraduate program in dietetics has been fully approved as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) for the over 20 years and is developmentally accredited1 by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)2 of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

The 1993-1998 Gorman report ranks the MSU Didactic Program in Dietetics second in the nation out of 240 dietetic programs.

Mission and Philosophy of the MSU Didactic Program in Dietetics Dietetic Program

The faculty directly involved with the Didactic Program in Dietetics at Michigan State University have developed the mission, philosophy and goals of the Dietetic Program.

  1. The mission of the MSU Didactic Program in Dietetics is to provide a high quality curriculum which prepares students for eligibility for entrance into an American Dietetic Association Accredited Dietetic Internship or Approved Preprofessional Practice Program.

  2. The philosophy of the MSU Dietetics Program includes the following:

  • The Dietetic Program is congruent with the mission of Michigan State University whose land-grant commitment encompasses health and includes offering strong comprehensive programs in major professional areas. These programs combine professional and technical instruction with a quality liberal education component.

  • The Dietetic Program, congruent with the mission of the former College of Human Ecology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, is designed within the human ecological framework to focus on the understanding and solution of societal problems related to dietetic practice.

  • The profession of dietetics is dynamic and as a consequence the curriculum must also be dynamic with continuing responsiveness to the changing knowledge base, to students and to society. The faculty provide leadership and serve as role models for the students through their instruction, research and scholarly activity and public and professional service including active participation in professional associations.

  • The curriculum focuses on the basic disciplines of nutrition, foods and management with the application of knowledge in these disciplines to the maintenance of health and well-being of humans throughout life. Relationships between nutrition and foods and the social-psychological aspects of health and development are stressed, encompassing an understanding of the role and meaning of food for humans in different cultural, economic and social settings.

  • The scope and effectiveness of teaching is enhanced by faculty participation in research and other scholarly activities. Furthermore, participation in research and service projects with faculty can be a unique learning opportunity for some students. 

  • The faculty are committed to equal opportunity for all students and to cultural diversity.

The anticipated educational outcomes of the Dietetic Program at MSU are that the graduates will possess, at a defined level, the knowledge, skills, values, and cultural sensitivity required of a baccalaureate prepared generalist in dietetics. Graduates will continue to be encouraged to meet the experience component essential to write the Registration Exam. This experience will also allow them the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned in the Dietetic Program at MSU to specific, real-life situations in administrative, clinical and community dietetic practice.

  1. Goals Of The Didactic Program For Dietetics At MSU:

The goals and measurable outcomes of the Didactic Program for Dietetics at MSU are:
Goal 1. To prepare students for a career utilizing their knowledge, skills and competencies in dietetics by providing a mix of courses and experiences unique to the program at Michigan State University.  Outcome measures are:

  1. Students with a degree in dietetics from MSU will report a high level of preparation for a dietetics internship as exhibited by an average rating score of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5 for each subject area on the Senior Survey.

  2. Program graduates will perform at an above average level in their internships or jobs as exhibited by a score of <2.5 on a scale of 1-4 with 1 being the highest on the internship director survey or employer survey.

  3. Program will maintain 80% or greater acceptance into an ADA-accredited dietetic internship or coordinated program in dietetics for those students who apply.

  4. Students will have a first time pass rage of at least 80% over 5 years for all those writing the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

  5.  At least 75% of graduates who respond to an alumni survey will be employed in a dietetics-related field or be enrolled in a postgraduate related field of study 2 years after graduation.

Goal 2. To provide a student environment that instills future graduates with a commitment to professionalism and community service.  Outcome measures are:

  1. At least 70% of students are active members in registered student/professional organizations by the they graduate as exhibited by their response on the senior exit survey;

  2. At least 60% of graduating seniors will have participated in at least 1 community service project or activity as reported on the senior exit survey.

  3. At least 50% of the students selected for undergraduate teaching assistant positions for DPD and nutritional sciences classes in the department will be dietetics majors.

Goal 3. To recruit, retain, and graduate students exhibiting academic aptitude from a diverse population.  Outcome measures are:

  1. At least 80% of graduating seniors in dietetics will have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

  2. At least 10% of dietetics graduates are conferred with honors or high honors.

  3. The proportion of students in the program who are ethnic minorities will meet or exceed the current CDR reported percentage in the RD profession.

  4. The proportion of students in the program who are ethnic minorities will meet or exceed the current CDR reported percentage in the RD profession.

 

1Developmental Accreditation - program not previously accredited that is in compliance with the CADE eligibility requirements and accreditation standards (ERAS)
2Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education , American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995; 313/899-0400; cade@eatright.org