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Nursing and Health Sciences

Dietetics Program

Mission

The Ashland University didactic program in Nutrition and Dietetics (AU DP) mission is to provide the foundation knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to encourage the development of ethical behavior, intellectual growth, critical thought, communication, and problem solving skills, in preparation for entry into post-baccalaureate dietetics internships, eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist,  professional employment, and/or graduate school, as well as developing students to become contributing members of the scientific/professional community.

Accreditation

The AU DP is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040, extension 5400, http://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND

Program Description

The didactic program in Dietetics (DP) is designed for students who wish to become Registered Dietitians (R.D.) and practitioners in clinical, community, food industry, and foodservice areas of nutrition. Registered dietitians are employed by hospitals, community agencies, and various government or private organizations. Completion of degree requirements will result in the student being awarded a Verification Statement of completion of the AU didactic program in Dietetics. Following completion of the program, the completion of an accredited dietetic internship program is required before students are eligible to take the registration examination and obtain the Registered Dietitian (R.D.) credential.

Goals and Outcomes

To assess and guide the AU DP, several goals and outcomes have been developed. These include the following three program goals and outcomes:

Program Goal 1:

The AU DP will prepare, assist, and encourage program graduates to seek admittance into an ACEND accredited internship program, professional employment, or graduate school.

  • 1.1 Over a five-year period, 60% of AU DP graduates will apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

  • 1.2 Over a 5-year period, 50% of DP graduates will be admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation

  • 1.3 Over a 5-year period, 50% or more of program graduates who complete a supervised internship will be employed in dietetics within 12 months.

  • 1.4 Over a 5-year period, 50% or more of AU DP graduates not going into an internship, employed or seeking employment, will report pursuing an advanced degree.

  • 1.5 Over a 5-year period, the pass rate for AU DP graduates taking the DTR examination will be greater than or equal to 80%

Program Goal 2:

The AU DP will prepare graduates to become contributing members of the scientific/professional community who can function as competent entry-level dietitians in a variety of settings.

  • 2.1 Over a 5-year period, the AU DP 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%.

  • 2.2 At least 80% of AU DP graduates will receive satisfactory or higher ratings from supervised practice program director or employers in at least 75% of the areas surveyed.

Post-Graduation: Admission to a Dietetic Internship Program

Acceptance into an accredited dietetic internship program is extremely competitive. Currently, there is a significant shortage of available internship positions for the number of students applying for acceptance into an internship program. Acceptance into an internship program cannot be guaranteed. Because of this shortage, it is vitally important to excel academically and gain work-related experiences to improve your chances of being accepted.