Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
Students may only apply to the professional component of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) in the spring semester once requirements are met.
Appointments are awarded to begin the following fall semester. Requirements for the DPD include: a 3.0 accumulative grade-point-average or above; completion of several of the ISU General Education requirements including several basic sciences and English, along with pre-requisite food and nutrition courses.
Applicants must complete the DPD application, write a letter of application, submit transcripts of all colleges an universities attended, and include an application fee of $20. The application deadline is February 15th.
There are currently sixteen seats awarded annually in the DPD program. Applicants are reviewed and appointments made by the DPD selection committee, made up of several DPD faculty. As space is limited, fulfillment of specific requirements does not ensure admission into the program. Appointments are made and notifications sent by March 30th. Students receiving appointments must provide a written confirmation of acceptance by April 15th and pre-register for the appropriate courses for the upcoming fall semester. Applications may be obtained form the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Room 105, Reed Gym, (208) 282-2961 or (208) 282-2729.
Courses that must be completed with a grade no lower than a C prior to applying to the DPD include: CHEM 101, 102, 103; BIOL 101, 221, 223, 301, 302; ENGL 101, 102, and NTD 104, 204, and 239. A course grade of D or lower in any Nutrition and Dietetics (NTD) prefix course and/or required course is unacceptable towards graduation and should be repeated.
Prospective students should schedule a conference with the Program Director. The requirements of the program, curriculum, supervised practice experience, and registration examination is explained to prospective and current students in the program.
Mission
The mission of the DPD program at Idaho State University is to provide courses for students to earn a Baccalaureate degree which prepares students to enter into, and to successfully complete an accredited dietetic internship.
Philosophy
The philosophy of the Idaho State University Dietetics Program has been, since its inception, to educate individuals through didactic training and practical experiences in the field of dietetics, and to develop visionary and competent individuals who will be able to understand and to solve complex problems encountered by the professional dietitian. Practical experiences are incorporated in both lecture and laboratory courses in medical nutrition therapy, foodservice systems management and community nutrition
Program Goals and Outcome Measures
The following goals and outcome measures were identified in the 2003 Program Assessment Report. These goals and outcome measures reflect the mission and philosophy of the ISU DPD program and are the basis for program evaluation and effectiveness.
Program Goal One: Prepare students to perform competently in a dietetics supervised practice program in preparation to be an entry-level dietitian.
Outcome Measures
- 75% of graduates who apply, will be accepted to a supervised practice program
- 90% of graduates will pass the registration exam
- 90% of responding graduates will indicate a “satisfactory” response or better that the DPD program prepared them for their supervised practice experience and career as a Registered Dietetian (RD)
- 75% of graduates who have finished their supervised practice experience and are seeking employment will be employed within 6 months of passing the RD exam
- 90% of graduates from this program will receive satisfactory ratings or higher on their knowledge and skill of dietetics from their employer or supervised practice program director
Program Goal Two: Provide didactic and field experiences for students by continuing cooperative relationships with community, clinical and foodservice management dietitians, other health care professionals and administrators in order to prepare graduates to work in the current health-care environment and in industry.
Outcome Measures
- Maintain a wide variety of experiential sites for foodservice, community and clinical dietetics
- 90% of responding graduates will indicate “satisfactory” or better that the DPD program prepared them for their supervised practice experience and career as a dietitian
- 90% of graduates from this program will receive “satisfactory” ratings or higher from their employer or supervised practice program director
- 1/3 of Dietetic Advisory Committee (DAC) members will consist of external constituents
- 10% of graduates will achieve advanced level practice or have a leadership role in a professional organization within 5 years of graduation
Program Goal Three: Provide recruitment and guidance counseling for high school and college students who are interested in the profession of dietetics, as well as retain and mentor excellent students who are in the program.
Outcome Measures
- 90% of students who enter the DPD will complete it
- 75% of all dietetics majors will obtain advising once per year
- 90% of responding graduates will indicate “satisfactory” or better score with respect to encouragement, respect, motivation, advising and support provided by the program faculty and preceptors
Accreditation
The ISU DPD has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and is currently under review for initial accreditation in spring of 2008. ADA 120 South Riverside Plaza Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600.