ABOUT THE COORDINATED PROGRAM IN DIETETICS
The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) in the Department of Allied Health Sciences combines the coursework and supervised practice hours necessary to prepare students for entry-level practice as dietitians. The CP is granted accreditation by the American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6695, (800) 877-1600. CADE is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
The CP is a dynamic, evolving program committed to educating qualified entry-level dietitians. The CP offers the supervised practice experience along with the knowledge base gained in the classroom. This Commission recently increased the supervised practice requirements from 900 to 1200 hours. As a consequence, students in the Dietetics Coordinated Program will graduate in May of their senior year, but must also complete a 6 credit externship immediately thereafter in order to receive a verification statement certifying that all coursework and supervised practice requirements have been completed. This statement qualifies the student to sit for the national registration examination, which they must pass in order to become a Registered Dietitian. The externship entails 6 weeks (40 hours/week) of intensive supervised practice experiences. Students will register for the externship as non-degree students through the Center for Continuing Studies and will incur an additional expense.
CURRICULUM
The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) is conducted in two phases. The first two years the student, is an Allied Health Sciences major, fulfills all prerequisite courses as well as the General Education requirements of the University gaining a broad liberal arts and science education. At the end of the third semester (mid-sophomore year), students apply competitively for admission to the CP (transfer students also need to apply to the University for admission as well). Potential students meet regularly with an Academic Advisor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences to ensure that all prerequisite coursework is planned in a timely fashion to ensure readiness to apply to the CP.
Once accepted into the CP, students are declared Dietetics majors for their junior, senior year and externship. During this time which is the professional phase of the program, students combine theory in the classroom with supervised practice experiences in hospitals, community agencies, food service systems, long-term care facilities, and wellness centers. This approach allows students to gain the required food and nutrition knowledge in the classroom and then practice skills under the supervision of qualified dietetics professionals.
Junior Year: Students are introduced to the diversity of opportunities in dietetics practice: nutrition to promote health, mange disease, and rehabilitate from illness; delivery of nutrition services to diverse audiences within the health care system and the community; and the provision of good-tasting and wholesome foods to individuals in school systems, health care institutions, corporate settings, and community organizations.
Senior Year: Students further develop skills as a dietetics professional working as a member of the health care team, in the management of foodservice organizations, and in the delivery of nutrition services to diverse groups. Research and evidence-based practice is a cornerstone of the Senior Year. Students develop and conduct research projects that often culminate in a presentation at the University or professional meetings.
Externship: Students complete a 6 week (40 hours / week) intensive supervised practice program. This is a culminating experience which prepares students for entry into the profession.
Under the supervision of qualified professional, students develop the knowledge and skills to excel as a competent, entry-level dietetics professional.
