About the Dietetics Program
Examine the science of food and the role of nutrients in the body to promote and maintain health. The
What is a Registered Dietitian? (pdf) >>
What can I do with this degree?
With successful completion of the dietetic academic program, the post -baccalaureate internship and the RD credentialing exam, an individual is awarded the RD
RDs administer medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of diseases, often as part of multidisciplinary teams in hospitals, private practice and other health care settings. In addition to these settings, RDs can work in research, sports nutrition, health care management, journalism, and the food and nutrition industry.
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Understand what you can achieve.
The mission of the Department of Health & Sport Science is to prepare qualified students to be proficient and professional in several distinct but related programs, all focused around health, dietetics and nutrition,
Purpose
These programs prepare students for professional opportunities in schools, health agencies, corporate health and
Goals
The food/nutrition program strives for excellence in a variety of goals, most notably:
- The student will acquire significant knowledge of unique content of food and nutrition.
- The student will gain additional knowledge and skill as it applies to the science of nutrition.
- The student will develop the ability to locate, interpret, and evaluate professional literature to make ethical evidenced-based decisions
- The student will develop a sense of community, which entails the networking concept and appreciation of diversity.
- The student will exhibit growth in leadership and professionalism.
- The student will gain skills in problem-solving and decision-making.
Student Commitments
Students who major in Dietetics will
Students will be required to obtain and maintain student membership through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics during all four years of study in dietetics and to purchase a professional portfolio software package in Introduction to Dietetics.
Marianist Heritage
The Department of Health & Sport Science endeavors to enhance the personal development of each individual through intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges founded in the Marianist Heritage.
Program outcome data are available in the Department of Health & Sport Science on request.
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Know what we have to offer!
Through the dietetics program, students will integrate the arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences to gain a thorough understanding of food, food management and medical nutrition therapy.
Curriculum
In the dietetics curriculum, students will take rigorous science- and math-based coursework to build foundational knowledge and skills in order to prepare students for the second step towards becoming a Registered Dietitian—the successful completion of a dietetic internship program. To gain familiarity with the profession and gain experience in the field, students will be required to join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a student member, as well as to
Internship
As a dietetics major, you will apply to a dietetic internship program during the second semester of your senior year. After successfully completing the post-baccalaureate program, which is usually eight to 11 months in length, you will be eligible to sit for examination to become a Registered Dietitian. Acceptance into a post-baccalaureate program is very competitive and based on grade point average,
Accreditation
The didactic program in dietetics is currently granted initial accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Suite 2000, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606, 800-877-1600.
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Find out more about coursework and other requirements of the program:
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Get outside the classroom!
About Professional Enrichment
Merely attending classes and meeting course requirements will not adequately prepare students to enter the demanding and competitive dietetic internship and profession. The University of Dayton's Department of Health & Sport Science has as its goal the development of highly-qualified health and sport science majors. To achieve this goal, the department requires that its majors not only meet their state, School of Education & Allied Professions and program requirements, but also engage in a number of out-of-class activities as well.
Professional Enrichment Points System
All majors will be required to participate in various activities that are representative of the experience they may encounter in the field or that are of enriching and/or of a professional nature. These activities should supplement the course offerings and result in a more highly competent individual, who, at the same time, has enhanced his/her potential for securing a good position as a dietitian. The point system outlined has been devised by the Department of Health & Sport Science and the Student Advisory Board as a means of suggesting a variety of experiences the student could participate in during their undergraduate years. The specifics of the system are contained in the following pages. The points must be spread out in at least three different area categories.
View the Dietetic Enrichment Point Record for the Student File (pdf) >>
All students are urged to study this policy and exercise their own initiative in devising a plan by which to secure the needed points. Each student must assume the responsibility of reporting his or her points, as soon as earned, to his or her respective advisor. Use the Dietetic Enrichment Point Record for the Student File, which may be downloaded above and obtained from the departmental office.
Compiling Points
- Before obtaining permission to pursue the internship curriculum: (Preceding the first semester of the junior year): 30 points
- Students transferring from other colleges or majors will be required to earn points on a pro-rated basis: 15 points shall be required for graduation if a student transfers after four semesters (6 quarters).
- There are five categories of activities. The student's TOTAL OF TWENTY (20) POINTS MUST HAVE BEEN OBTAINED FROM A MINIMUM THREE CATEGORIES.
- Transfer students shall be required to engage in no more than two (2) categories if they have ten (10) or fewer points needed to fulfill their point requirements. Those who have eleven (11) or more points to accumulate shall engage in at least three categories.
- Activities prior to enrollment as a freshman in college are not acceptable.
- It shall be the student's responsibility to report the points and to ascertain the accuracy of the record with his or her respective advisor.
- Students should present completed report forms to the adviser during course advising appointments.
- Students are encouraged to complete 5-8 credits per year to meet the required credits as stated above. CREDIT FOR POINTS WILL BE VOID IF REPORTED MORE THAN ONE SEMESTER AFTER EXPERIENCE.
- Work required for course assignments will not be acceptable.
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Develop your professional portfolio as you learn!
What and When
The portfolio is an assignment in HSS 113 (pdf) that will continue to evolve during the dietetic student’s academic tenure at the University of Dayton. It will be a component of the Dietetic Enrichment Point System and must be provided to the student’s advisor one time per year for review and point assignment.
| YEAR | PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS |
| 1 | DUE SPRING SEMESTER ADVISING
|
| 2 | DUE SPRING SEMESTER ADVISING
|
| 3 | DUE SPRING SEMESTER ADVISING
|
| 4 | DUE FIRST DAY OF CLASS IN HSS 439
|
Students may wish to include a miscellaneous section in which they list their accomplishments and their involvement in the university and the community. Student goals for the future will be important to include as the student progresses through the program.
Why
The information contained in this requirement builds the professional foundation for the dietetic student’s post-baccalaureate application as well as the requirements for the registered dietitian’s professional portfolio.
How
Beginning in Fall 2012, students will be required to purchase Chalk & Wire portfolio software in HSS 113 Introduction to Dietetics.
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Work in the field!
Dietetics majors are eligible to apply to a dietetic internship during senior year. In order to apply, each candidate must have
Nationwide Opportunities
There are approximately 280 dietetic internship programs nationwide. Students can find a listing of these programs via the ACEND website. In addition, students can find detailed dietetic internship program information by visiting the internship website and by reviewing the internship binders in the HSS office. All dietetic internships are required to maintain accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. These programs provide students with experience in food management, community dietetics, and clinical dietetics.
Competitive Placement
Acceptance into a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship program is very competitive. The national average placement rate to an internship for the years 2008-2012 averaged between 50-55%. The University of Dayton dietetics program placement rate for the years 2008-2012 ranged between 80-85%.
What Students Can Do
While no dietetics program can guarantee a student acceptance into an internship, students can do the following to increase the chances of being accepted to an internship:
- Earn and maintain GPA > 3.0. The average GPA for the University of Dayton Dietetics class of 2012 was 3.58.
- Obtain paid work experience in a nutrition or food service related field.
- Seek out long-term volunteer nutrition related experience.
- Develop leadership skills through extracurricular activities.
Application
The DPD Director will work with each dietetic student in the fall of their final year of study to provide guidance during the application process. Students generally submit formal application in the second semester of their senior year to post-baccalaureate programs. Many dietetic internship programs require students to take the GRE as part of the application process. Selection of the post-baccalaureate program is made through computer matching, using D&D Digital and DICAS.
For additional internship application timeline and matching information, visit ACEND: http://www.eatright.org/ACEND/content.aspx?id=191.
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Get what you need to succeed!
Program Information
- Dietetics handbook (pdf) >>
- Checksheet of required curriculum (pdf) >>
- Dietetics enrichment points student record (pdf) >>
- Internship timeline (pdf) >>
Visit the Department of Health & Sport Science Student Resources to access course syllabi >>
Career Information
Key Terms
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD): An academic program that provides the required coursework leading to a bachelor’s degree and a verification statement. These programs are accredited through Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Dietetic Internship (DI): Students who successfully complete the DPD coursework from an accredited DPD program, have earned a bachelor’s degree, and have earned a verification statement are eligible to apply to a Dietetic Internship (DI). Internships are completed over 6-24 months. Once students complete an accredited DI and earn a verification statement to show eligibility, they can write the CDR registration exam for dietitians.
DICAS: Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS) online applicant portal is for use by students who are applying to Dietetic Internship programs that participate in the DICAS Match. The DICAS Online is a service of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The DICAS Online offers applicants a convenient, state-of-the-art, web-based application service that will allow them to apply to any number of participating dietetic internship programs by completing a single online application. The DICAS Online was specifically designed by DICAS to simplify and streamline the application process while providing considerable flexibility, electronic submission of applications, ongoing communication with applicants, and excellent customer support.
D&D Digital: D & D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
GRE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a required test for undergraduate students who hope to pursue graduate studies.
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Join the Dietetics program!
The curriculum of the dietetics major is an integration of the humanities and arts,
Admissions Criteria
Freshman entry: ACT score 25
Transfer Student: GPA 3.0
Students are required to take Biology 151, 152 and Chemistry 123, 123L, 124, 124L or their equivalent coursework from a four-year
Any dietetic student whose cumulative average after two years of study is below 3.0 will be advised to draft a program for success, access tutorial assistance, and/or be counseled into career paths that are appropriate to their ability.