What is Nutrition and Dietetics?
Dietetics is the science of how food and nutrition affects human health… Dietitian nutritionists use nutrition and food science to help people improve their health.
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(256) 726-7229 or 7230 or 7219
(256) 726-7232
- Degrees & Certifications
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The Didactic Program in Dietetics, housed in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, prepares students with the foundational knowledge and skills to be a member of health care teams with the ability to address the nutritional needs in health and disease of a multi-cultural society.
Dietitians apply knowledge from physiology, biochemistry and chemistry to understand digestion of food, absorption and use of nutrients by the body at different stages of life, and the effects of nutrient deficiencies and excesses. They also draw on the social sciences to understand the socio-cultural, psychological, economic and political factors influencing choices of food. Dietitians as clinicians study the relationship between diet and chronic disease. They also monitor nutritional content of the American food supply, define and help to alleviate nutritional problems throughout the world, and work with other health professionals in promoting health and well-being for people of all ages.
Students who complete the B.S. in Dietetics will be proficient in the following programmatic student learning outcomes:
- Communicate effectively in presenting food and nutrition information
- Use physical, biological, and social science concepts in nutrition settings
- Do basic research in food and nutrition
- Use nutrition concepts in health promotion and disease prevention
- Prepare and serve quality food items for different settings
- Practice management skills in budget preparation, cost analysis, and marketing
- Demonstrate a Christ-centered SDA worldview in food and nutrition-related activities
Mission:
The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics is to prepare students with the foundation, knowledge and skills for the supervised practice experience and entry-level dietitian positions in community, clinical, or food service management.
Goal 1: To provide didactic and field experiences for students in community, clinical and foodservice management to qualify graduates to work in health-care and other industry environments.
Objectives:
- Surveys of internship directors and/or preceptors/employers will indicate that 80% or more of graduates perform satisfactory or greater in the areas of program competencies.
- Over a 5 year period>80% of our graduates will be working in the dietetic field within 12 months of completing the dietetic internship.
- Over a 5 year period>80% of graduates will indicate that the program prepared them satisfactorily for the dietetic internship and dietetic practice.
- Over a 5 year period>80% of graduates will indicate that their didactic and field experience satisfactorily prepared them to work within the healthcare industry.
Goal 2: To prepare graduates for supervised practice programs, graduate education, and to become competent entry-level dietitians.
Objectives:
- Over a 5 year period>80% of graduates who pursue dietetic registration will pass the registration exam within the first year.
- Over a 5 year period>80% of students will apply to the supervised practice program.
- Over a 5 year period>80% of those who apply for the supervised practice program will be accepted.
- Over a 5 year period ?80% of students will complete the DPD program within 150% of the Program length. (6 years for freshmen, 4.5 for sophomores and 3 years for juniors).
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Sherine Brown-Fraser,Ph.D, RDN, CPT
Professor & Chair
Nutrition, Dietetics & Public Health
Phone: 256.726.7219
sfraser@oakwood.edu
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Nadine Dowdie, MPH, RDN, LD
Didactic Program Director/Advisor, Assistant Professor of Nutrition & Dietetics
(256) 726-7230
Email:nadowdie@oakwood.edu
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Lisa I Darlymple, Ph.D, M.S.
Program Director Healthy Campus 2020, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics
(256)726-8046
Email:ldarlymple@oakwood.edu
- Dietetics (124 credits)
- Nutrition with Vegetarian Cuisine Emphasis (120 cr)
MINORS:
- Food and Nutrition (21 cr)
POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE:
NON-TRADITIONAL PROGRAM:
- Didactic Program Completion Verification Statement (DPD) (73 cr)
ND 111 : Nutrition and Lab
3 HOURS
ND 233 : Food Science and Laboratory
3 HOURS
ND 323 : Community Nutrition
3 HOURS
120 Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone:1-800-877-1600
312-899-0040
Acend@eatright.org
Program Overview
The Oakwood University DPD (Didactic Program) provides the required dietetics coursework leading to a bachelor’s in Dietetics. Graduates of ACEND-accredited programs who are verified by the program director may apply for Dietetic Internships to establish eligibility to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians.
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
This program is designed for students who process a strong interest in the sociological, psychological, physiological, and economic aspects of food and nutrition, with emphasis on health promotion/disease prevention. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) results do not meet the requirements for this degree.
Students who complete the B.S. in Dietetics will be proficient in the following student learning outcomes:
- Communicate effectively in presenting food and nutrition information
- Use physical, biological, and social science concepts in nutrition settings
- Do basic research in food and nutrition
- Use nutrition concepts in health promotion and disease prevention
- Prepare and serve quality food items for different settings
- Practice management skills in budget preparation, cost analysis, and marketing
- Demonstrate a Christ-centered SDA worldview in food and nutrition-related activities
Outcomes data are available upon request.
This program is accredited by ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics), of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association.
ACEND 120 South Riverside, Plaza Suite 2000, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995, (telephone) 312-899-0040 X 5400.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
According to the current Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionist was $60,370 in May 2018. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. Job outlook. Employment of dietitians and nutritionist is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The role of food in preventing and treating disease, such as diabetes is now well known.
The U.S. Department of Education states that generally in order to be eligible for funding under the Higher Education act Title IV student assistance programs, an educational program must lead to a degree at a nonprofit or public institution or it must prepare students for “gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” Therefore, with very few exceptions, any nondegree program offered by non-profit or public institutions and all educational problems offered at for-profit institution s must lead to gainful employment.
5 Steps to Become an RDN
To become a registered dietitian nutritionist, a path of higher education is a must as well as a dietetic internship from an ACEND-accredited program, and passing the national registration examination. The pathway listed below is a common route many traditional students take, but it is not the only path to become an RDN.
The 5 Steps
- Complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics).
- Get matched to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program(some dietetic internships are combined with a master’s degree, which is optional*). For students who do not match to an internship, applying to an Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option.
- Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s dietetic registration exam.
- Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
- Maintain continuing education.
Other Pathways to Become an RDN
Coordinated Programs in Dietetics
Combine your degree with supervised practice. Why? Because baccalaureate students can apply to this type of program and begin supervised practice without going through dietetic internship computer matching. Coordinated Programs in Dietetics may result in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, depending on the program. Graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the dietetic registration exam.
Career Changers
It’s never too late to make the switch to a career in dietetics. Individuals with a prior bachelor’s degree need to complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics and receive a verification statement. Those without a four-year degree need to complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement indicating completion of the didactic program in dietetics components prior to applying to the dietetic internship match.
International Students
RDNs have been trained in all corners of the globe. There a few different ways for international learners to become RDNs — visit ACEND to learn more.
*Beginning in 2024, a minimum of a master’s degree will be an eligibility requirement in order to take the CDR dietetic registration exam.
Application Requirements
Admission Requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics:
- Sophomore classification
- Minimum GPA 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
- A minimum grade of C in EN 111-112 Freshman Composition
- Evidence of 12th grade reading level from diagnostic testing (any college testing center)
- Submit personal statement and attend an interview
Program Completion Requirements
Major Requirements
ND 102 Introduction to Dietetics …………………………………………………………………… 1 hour
ND 111 Food Preparation and Laboratory ……………………………………………………….3 hours
ND 233 Food Science and Laboratory …………………………………………………………….3 hours
ND 321 Advanced Nutrition ……………………………………………………………………………3 hours
ND 322 Life Span Nutrition …………………………………………………………………………..3 hours
ND 323 Community Nutrition ………………………………………………………………………..3 hours
ND 351 Nutrition Assessment and Counseling and Laboratory …………………………..4 hours
ND 421 Quantity Food Management and Laboratory ………………………………………..3 hours
ND 431 Food Systems Management and Laboratory ……………………………………….3 hours
ND 439 Medical Nutrition Therapy I and Laboratory ………………………………………….3 hours
ND 440 Medical Nutrition Therapy II and Laboratory …………………………………………3 hours
ND 442 Nutrition and Wellness ………………………………………………………………………3 hours
ND 453 Senior Seminar ………………………………………………………………………………..2 hours
NU 350 Pathophysiology for Health Professions ………………………………………………3 hours
AH 350 Medical Terminology and Laboratory …………………………………………………..3 hours
BA 310 Principles of Management …………………………………………………………………3 hours
BI 111-BI 112 Human Anatomy and Physiology ………………………………………………..8 hours
BI 221 General Microbiology ………………………………………………………………………….4 hours
CH 102 Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry with Lab ………………..3 hours
EN 341 Technical Writing or BA 302 Business Communication …………………………..3 hours
PY 307 Statistical Methods ……………………………………………………………………………3 hours
PY 411 Research I ……………………………………………………………………………………….3 hours
SO 101 Principles of Sociology ………………………………………………………………………3 hours
Total ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..73 hours
For other nutrition degree options see bulletin page 204-205
1. Score 75 percent or better on the exit exam
2. Maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale
3. Earn a minimum C grade in all dietetic and cognate courses as outlined in this section.
4. Earn a minimum 75 percent score on all tests, projects and assignments
5. Spend at least one summer acquiring pre-approved work or volunteer experience in the fi eld of dietetics. (See Appendix A of departmental student handbook for details)
6. Maintain a professional development portfolio. (See Appendix A of departmental student handbook for details)
Pathway Options
- BS in Dietetics
- BS in Nutrition in Vegetarian Culinary Emphasis
- Eligibility for DTR on completion of program
- DPD Completion (DPD Verification Statement)
Program Cost
TUITION AND FEES 2019 – 2020 Academic Year
TOTAL CHARGES PER SEMESTER FOR TUITION PACKAGE
Non resident students (no meal plan) 9,995
Resident packages vary depending on room and meal plan choices $13,618 – 16,151
Other Expenses
Intent to Enroll deposit: $200
Books and supplies: $600 per semester (approximately) – Book store line of credit: $600
Health insurance: $600 per semester for U.S. citizens and international students
Testing: $40.00 – $140
Course/Laboratory fees: $15 – $140 per lab
Late registration: $195.00
Graduation fee: $271.00 plus additional $100 for regalia
Drop/add: $10 up until last day for a refund
Resident Students are required to pay the total cost of tuition, fees, room and board costs at the time of registration. A minimum of 70 % of tuition, fees, room and board costs is accepted with an approved payment plan. The amount varies depending on room and meal plan choices. An example follows:
Tuition and Fees $9,995 (Based on 12-16 hours)
Room and Board $4,656
Totals 14,513 x 70% = 10,519
Nonresident Students are required to pay a minimum of 100 % of tuition and fees at the time of registration. A minimum of 70 percent of tuition and fees is accepted with an approved payment plan. Tuition and fees $9995 x 70 %= $6,997
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