Dietetics

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Nutrition plays an important role in disease management and treatment. The benefits of eating right and exercising improve quality of life and lower health-care costs.

The Registered Dietitian is a nutrition and food expert. To become a Registered Dietitian the following steps must be taken:

• Complete a Baccalaureate degree program in which the academic requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are met;
   
• Acquire supervised dietetic practice experience by successfully completing an accredited Dietetic Internship (DI);
   
• Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Dietetics applies the scientific principles of food and nutrition to health. It is an exciting profession with many career possibilities. Positions are plentiful due to increasing public awareness about the importance of proper nutrition. 

Dietetics majors take courses in biological, social, and behavioral sciences; math and statistics; computer sciences; biochemistry; management; oral and written communication; and nutrition and food.

MISSION

The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of Wyoming is to provide the academic programming to attain a Baccalaureate degree. Intellectual growth of our students is promoted through innovative laboratory experiences, student research and experiential learning. We are committed to helping students develop skills in critical thinking, effective communication and life-long learning.

Complete information on the Foundation Knowledge and Skills can be found at:

         www.eatright.org/ada/files/2002rdfksc.pdf

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Planning course sequences is done with your Academic Adviser and is critical to the successful completion of study within the desired time period.  Students must complete all university graduate requirements, including the University Studies courses, Department of Family & Consumer Sciences core courses and specified dietetics course requirements, as described in the major requirements and the University of Wyoming General Bulletin.  The CHECKSHEET will be used for planning your courses for each semester.

GOALS

The goals of the Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of Wyoming are to:
 

1.  Provide an undergraduate curriculum which prepares students to be placed in accredited dietetic internships and/or graduate programs.

2.   Prepare students to be successful in dietetic internships, graduate programs, or food and nutrition careers.

3.   Meet the Family and Consumer Sciences department requirements of mastery of the six core competencies (written communication; critical thinking and problem solving; technological competency and information literacy; oral communication; professional skills and behavior; and multicultural literacy and global awareness).

 

OUTCOME MEASURES

1.   Enrolled students will complete the program at rate of 85% or greater;

2.   Of the students who complete the DPD Exit Survey during their final semester, 80% or greater will indicate Good or above ratings on achieving student learning outcomes.

3.   Program graduates will enter Dietetic Internships at the rate of 85% or greater;

4.   Program graduates who respond to the Dietetic Intern Survey will indicate ratings for themselves at Good or above for all content areas at an 80% or greater rate.

5.   Dietetic Internship Directors will respond will a rating of Good or above for 80% of program graduates.

6.   75% or more of program graduates who do not make application to Dietetic Internships will obtain employment or acceptance into graduate programs in Food & Nutrition/Dietetics fields within six months of graduation.

7.   Eighty percent or greater of first time test takers will pass the Examination for Registered Dietitians;

8.   Program graduates will master the Family and Consumer Sciences department six core competencies at the ‘proficient’ level or above.  

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1.   Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills;

2.   Students will advance in their knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological sciences and apply these concepts to human nutrition and food science;

3.   Students will gain knowledge of behavior and social sciences and apply these concepts multi-culturally and globally;

4.   Students will demonstrate the ability to use, interpret, evaluate, and apply research principles to dietetics issues;

5.   Students will demonstrate the ability to use food science and food production principles, techniques and tools to solve food-related issues;

6.   Students will apply knowledge and skills of nutrition assessment and medical nutrition therapy to various states of health and disease;

7.   Students will demonstrate their understanding of managing foodservice systems and will apply these to foodservice management activities;

8.   Students will demonstrate their understanding of the role of healthcare systems and public policy in the maintenance and achievement of health.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students must meet all of the University of Wyoming admission requirements. No minimal requirements are necessary to enter the Didactic Program in Dietetics. Once you are admitted to the university, you declare a major in Family and Consumer Sciences with the Dietetics option. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline you do not have to complete the equivalent of a second bachelor’s degree from our department. However, you must complete the courses that are required for the DPD. The number of courses you will need to take depends on your prior degree, as you may have already taken some equivalent courses. The Director of the DPD is able to conduct an unofficial transcript analysis, but official evaluation of transfer courses is conducted by the UW Office of Admissions. The program director can also provide up-to-date information about internships and scholarships.

COST OF PROGRAM

•     Tuition and fees—at current rate

•    Textbooks and course packets

•    Room and board  

•    Local transportation for off-campus facilities (Liable for own safety
when traveling)

•    Lab coat —$20.00 to $40.00

•    Mandatory student health insurance

•    Immunizations (MMR and TB screening)

•    Malpractice Liability Insurance—$30.00 (Mandatory for students
when counseling at the UW Wellness Center)

•    D & D Digital computer matching fee (final year)— $50.00

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The University of Wyoming Student Handbook and Planner is available to all students and is used by students while in the DPD.  This handbook is a production supported by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Association of Students of the University, and University Publications.  Besides the University Calendar, campus services, student responsibilities and conduct, policies and procedures, and public safety are included in this publication.  All of these topics are also found on the university website:  www.uwyo.edu.

STUDENT DIETETIC ASSOCIATION (SDA)

This organization is a recognized student organization (RSO) at the University.  SDA members are actively involved with volunteer experiences on campus and in community activities in which nutrition and food are the focus.    Also, there is a close association with the Wyoming Dietetic Association (WDA) members and students assist with many tasks at the annual WDA meeting.

APPLICATION TO DIETETIC INTERNSHIPS (DI)

The Program Director delivers an annual seminar during the fall semester for all students in their final year of the DPD.  At this seminar, a step-by-step procedural outline is distributed along with additional application materials.  Included in this packet of application materials are the DEP DI Application form with the recommendation forms, the D& D Digital form for computer matching (for more information visit the website http://www.dnddigital.com/ada/), placement rate, and location of those dietetic internships which this DPD has placed.  Follow-up one-on-one personalized assistance is given to each student on an appointment basis.  The Intent to Complete Requirements form which identifies the courses needed to complete program and graduation requirements is prepared by the Program Director to accompany the application of each student.

A complete list of nationwide accredited Dietetic Internships may be found at:

http://www.eatright/org/cade/di.html

Preparing for the Dietetic Internship is a process which begins when becoming a dietetics student.  It is advised to maintain a GPA or at least a 3.00 to be competitive for the internship.  Also, gaining work experience or volunteer experiences in the field of dietetics is recommended.  In addition, extracurricular activity involvement, such as in the Student Dietetic Association can assist a student in gaining leadership experience.

VERIFICATION STATEMENTS

The Verification Statement is an indication of the completion of course requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at the University of Wyoming.  Analysis of the completion is done after the clearance with the Office of the Registrar regarding a passing grade in all courses and your degree granted.  An original signature of the Program Director would appear on the Verification Statement in colored ink.  Copies of this form are not acceptable for official verification.

If in the future you need additional Verification Statements for future application to an internship, employment, or licensure, please make this request to the Program Director at the University of Wyoming.  A permanent record of your academic program is kept in the department files.

DPD STUDENT HANDBOOK

PROGRAM FACULTY

Click on the name of the faculty to learn about their teaching and research activities.

Rhoda Schantz Ph.D., R.D.
Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics, Associate Professor, Food & Nutrition
schantz@uwyo.edu

K. Shane Broughton Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Human Nutrition
broughto@uwyo.edu

D. Enette Larson-Meyer Ph.D., R.D., FACSM
Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition
enette@uwyo.edu

Mike Liebman, Ph.D.
Professor, Human Nutrition
liebman@uwyo.edu

 ACCREDITATION

The accreditation process requires a detailed description of how the Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of Wyoming meets national educational standards and an on-site evaluation by accreditation reviewers. This process is undertaken by:

 

The Commission on Accreditation  for Dietetics Education (CADE)

of the American Dietetics Association

120 South Riverside Plaza

Suite 2000

Chicago, IL  60606-6995

Phone:  (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400

or

(312) 899-0040 ext. 5400

(312) 899-4817 (fax)

education@eatright.org

  

The accreditation process is done every 10 years with a five year interim report. Our program has been placed on probationary accreditation until the CADE board decision in 2008.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The American Dietetic Association

The Wyoming Dietetic Association

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