Where have Our Dietetics Students Matched?

2012-2021

Distance Programs

Aramark Distance Learning Internship (1), Sodexo Distance Dietetic Internship (3)

The Didactic Program in Dietetics Mission, Goals, and Objectives

The Didactic Program in Dietetics has developed a mission statement as well as goals and objectives for its graduates.

Mission Statement of the DPD Program

The mission of the DPD program of the University of Massachusetts is “to provide quality teaching and a good scientific foundation to students, thereby enabling them to be successful in accredited dietetic internship programs or professional careers.”

Goals and Outcome Objectives of the DPD Program

Program Goal 1: To prepare graduates for careers in dietetics, dietetics internships, and successful completion of the dietetic registration examination.

Standard 3.3 Program Objectives Related to Goal 1 (2017-2022):

1. At least “80 percent of students who are enrolled in the dietetics track as juniors will complete the program within three years of that time.”
2. At least “60 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.”
3. At least “50 percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program prior to or within
   12 months of graduation.”
4. 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 percent.
5. At least 80 percent of dietetic internship directors rate at least a four on a five-point scale that UMass students came into the internship with an adequate level of knowledge competence appropriate for a supervised practice program*

Program Goal 2: To educate graduates who will reflect current nutrition science in their professional practice by providing a strong understanding of the scientific basis of the study of nutrition and dietetics.

Outcome Measures Related to Goal 2 (2017-2022):

1. Eighty percent of dietetic directors rate at least a four on a five-point scale indicating that UMass graduates have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of dietetics practice.
2. Sixty percent of seniors will rate at least a 4 on a 5-point scale that they received a strong understanding of the scientific basis for the study of dietetics in their coursework at University of Massachusetts
3. Sixty percent of graduates will rate at least a four on a five-point scale that they received a strong understanding of the scientific basis for the study of dietetics in their coursework at University of Massachusetts.

Currently, the dietetics program at UMass has met or exceeded all benchmarks. For data, please contact the DPD director at cpnorton [at] umass [dot] edu (cpnorton[at]umass[dot]edu).

The dietetics program is designed to meet the 2017 Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education Foundation Knowledge Requirements and Learning Objectives for dietetics programs. These requirements and objectives are:

1. Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: integration of scientific information and research into practice.
2. Professional Practice Expectations: beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors for the professional dietitian level of practice.
3. Clinical and Customer Services: development and delivery of information, products, and services to individuals, groups, and populations.
4. Practice Management and the Use of Resources: strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.
5. Support Knowledge: knowledge underlying the requirements specified above

For more information on how the UMass DPD program meets these ACEND learning objectives, please contact the DPD director at cpnorton [at] umass [dot] edu (cpnorton[at]umass[dot]edu).

For more information about the Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, including required courses and recommended course sequence, as well as other information on our career preparation,        please go to our undergraduate program information web page.

For more information on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the dietetics profession, please visit the AND website.

Requirements for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accreditation arm of the ACEND [at] eatright [dot] org (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), are described below:

If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of complaints within UMass, ACEND® has established a process for reviewing complaints against accredited programs in order to fulfill its public responsibility for assuring the quality and integrity of the educational programs that it accredits. Any individual, for example, student, faculty, dietetics practitioner, and/or member of the public, may submit a complaint against any accredited program to ACEND®. However, the ACEND® board does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admissions, appointment, promotion, or dismissal of faculty or students. It acts only upon a signed allegation that the program may not be in compliance with the accreditation standards or policies. The complaint must be signed by the complainant. Anonymous complaints are not considered. Here is the information on the ACEND page regarding filing a complaint. On this page students will find details of the procedure and a link to the Complaint Investigation Form.

Other Important information about attending the University of Massachusetts:

The cost of attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst can be found at the bursar’s web page.

Graduate Policies and Resources

For information on graduate student policies and resources on any academic question, including but not limited to performance monitoring, retention and remediation procedures, disciplinary or termination procedures, filing a complaint, formal assessment, protection of student privacy and online classes, please contact your graduate advisor, Zhenhua Liu (the Graduate Program Director) or refer to the Graduate Guidelines Document, which is available at the following link: https://www.umass.edu/sphhs/sites/default/files/Nutrition%20Graduate%20Guidelines_210630.pdf

https://www.umass.edu/graduate/policies/resources

Academic Calendar

The University of Massachusetts Amherst follows the academic calendars approved by the Faculty Senate. For more information and details, check out current or future calendars.