Mission and Goals

Graduates of our DPD program will be prepared to enter the growing field of nutrition and dietetics and apply for supervised practice programs leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Our program mission, goals and supporting objectives are found below.

Mission

Our mission is to provide a broad educational background incorporating the knowledge, and research and practice skills, needed to prepare students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who apply research skills and evidence-based practice to serve the public and promote health and prevent disease.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal 1

The DPD will prepare graduates for entry into supervised practice programs or other post-graduate programs.

Objectives:

1. At least 80% of students complete program requirements within 6 years (150% of the planned program length).
2. At least 75% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
3. Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at least 50% are admitted within 12 months of graduation.
4. At least 70% of program graduates who respond to a survey, will answer "adequate" (3.0) or better (range 1 to 5) when asked about their preparedness for entering a supervised practice program or graduate school.

Goal 2

To prepare graduates to be competent entry-level RDNs who are committed to serving the public in promoting health and preventing disease.

Objectives:

1. At least 80% of dietetic supervised practice Directors who respond to a survey will rate Rutgers graduates in their programs "satisfactory" (2.0) or better (range 1 to 4) in the foundation knowledge and support knowledge competencies of ACEND.
2. 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%.
3. At least 50% of all graduates who respond to a survey 12 months post-graduation will report they have participated in one or more health promotion or professional service activities in the last year.

Program outcomes data are available upon request from the Program Director, Dr. Virginia Quick via email at vquick@njaes.rutgers.edu.