The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) – Program Mission, Goals, and Objectives
Program Mission:
The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is to provide a strong undergraduate program in the areas of food and nutrition, and to prepare students for careers in food and nutrition and to become eligible to apply for entrance into a supervised practice.
This mission is in agreement with the mission of the University of Alabama, the College of Human Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management.
Program Strategy:
Through quality faculty, research, industry collaboration, and service activities, the Department strives to contribute to the generation of new knowledge in the areas of foods and nutrition, and to apply this knowledge to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.
Program Goals and Objectives:
The DPD Program has several goals and objectives to meet ACEND requirements. The goals and objectives also support the mission of the department, the college, and the university.
The program established 2 goals and corresponding objectives that reflect and support the program’s mission statement and the environment in which the program exists. The program goals and respective objectives are:
Program Goal 1:
Graduates will have the breadth and depth of skills, knowledge, and competencies to enter into a Supervised Practice program (DI, CP, ISPP) or for careers in nutrition and dietetics.
Program Objectives for Goal 1:
Objective 1.1 (ACEND Required)
At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 6 years (150% of planned program length).
Objective 1.2 (ACEND Required)
At least 60 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 1.3 (ACEND Required)
Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 1.4 (ACEND Required)
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%.
Objective 1.5 (ACEND Required)
At least 80 percent of supervised practice Program Directors will rate DPD program graduates foundation knowledge and preparation for supervised practice at least a satisfactory rating (3 or higher on a scale of 5.0).
Objective 1.6 (Program Specific)
75% of program graduates will rate their overall satisfaction with program’s preparation of student to enter into a supervised practice or careers in nutrition or dietetics at a satisfactory rating (3 or higher on a scale of 5).
Program Goal 2:
Graduates will demonstrate an appreciation for cultural competency, leadership, or service-learning, and to apply this appreciation to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.
Program Objectives for Goal 2:
Objective 2.1 (Program Specific)
70 percent of DPD graduates will participate in a minimum of one cultural (DEI) activity, service-learning activity, or leadership activity every two years, and will rate their experience 3.0 or higher (on a 5.0 scale).
Program Outcomes:
The program outcomes data for the DPD are available upon request. Contact the DPD Director for information.
The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is to provide a strong undergraduate program in the areas of food and nutrition, and to prepare students for careers in food and nutrition and to become eligible to apply for entrance into a supervised practice.
This mission is in agreement with the mission of the University of Alabama, the College of Human Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management.
Program Strategy:
Through quality faculty, research, industry collaboration, and service activities, the Department strives to contribute to the generation of new knowledge in the areas of foods and nutrition, and to apply this knowledge to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.
Program Goals and Objectives:
The DPD Program has several goals and objectives to meet ACEND requirements. The goals and objectives also support the mission of the department, the college, and the university.
The program established 2 goals and corresponding objectives that reflect and support the program’s mission statement and the environment in which the program exists. The program goals and respective objectives are:
Program Goal 1:
Graduates will have the breadth and depth of skills, knowledge, and competencies to enter into a Supervised Practice program (DI, CP, ISPP) or for careers in nutrition and dietetics.
Program Objectives for Goal 1:
Objective 1.1 (ACEND Required)
At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 6 years (150% of planned program length).
Objective 1.2 (ACEND Required)
At least 60 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 1.3 (ACEND Required)
Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50 percent are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 1.4 (ACEND Required)
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%.
Objective 1.5 (ACEND Required)
At least 80 percent of supervised practice Program Directors will rate DPD program graduates foundation knowledge and preparation for supervised practice at least a satisfactory rating (3 or higher on a scale of 5.0).
Objective 1.6 (Program Specific)
75% of program graduates will rate their overall satisfaction with program’s preparation of student to enter into a supervised practice or careers in nutrition or dietetics at a satisfactory rating (3 or higher on a scale of 5).
Program Goal 2:
Graduates will demonstrate an appreciation for cultural competency, leadership, or service-learning, and to apply this appreciation to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.
Program Objectives for Goal 2:
Objective 2.1 (Program Specific)
70 percent of DPD graduates will participate in a minimum of one cultural (DEI) activity, service-learning activity, or leadership activity every two years, and will rate their experience 3.0 or higher (on a 5.0 scale).
Program Outcomes:
The program outcomes data for the DPD are available upon request. Contact the DPD Director for information.