Program Mission
The mission of the Master of Science in nutrition and dietetics coordinated program is:
- To provide candidates with knowledge and supervised practice experience which will enable them to successfully pass the registration exam for dietitians
- To prepare competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for careers in a variety of healthcare settings, including sports nutrition, clinical, community, research, business and food service, who will work towards improving the health of society through optimal nutrition practices
- To produce graduates with critical thinking and problem solving skills, who stay abreast of knowledge to provide effective evidence-based nutrition care and theory-based nutrition education
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: The program will prepare graduates for successful completion of the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam for dietitians.
- Objective 1: At least 80% of program students will complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
- Objective 2: 80% of program graduates will take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- Objective 3: 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%.
- Objective 4: At least 80% of program graduates will indicate they strongly agree or agree they felt adequately prepared for the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists.
Goal 2: The program will prepare competent entry-level practitioners to provide evidence-based nutrition services to individuals and groups in a variety of practice settings.
- Objective 1: Students will maintain a grade of C or better in all dietetics and support courses.
- Objective 2: Students will maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Objective 3: Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- Objective 4: Over a five-year period, 80% of preceptor respondents will rank the quality of students from SIUE as above average.
- Objective 5: Over a five-year period, 80% of graduates will be considered “well prepared” for employment, and provide evidence-based care and/or education in nutrition and dietetics or related fields.
- Objective 6: Over a five-year period, alumni respondents working in dietetics or related fields will collectively identify three different practice areas as primary job settings.
Information regarding program outcomes, including graduation rates and achievement on registration exam, is available upon request.
