Virginia State University Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Didactic Program in Dietetics. Student Handbook

Transcription

1 Virginia State University Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Didactic Program in Dietetics Student Handbook

2 Didactic Program in Dietetics Student Handbook About the University Virginia State University was founded in 1882 as a land grant institution. The University is a coeducational baccalaureate and graduate level historically black state university. Current faculty and student population is diverse and numerous ethnic groups are represented. Other VSU information may be obtained through VSU s Web site. Virginia State University is an Equal Opportunity University. It does not discriminate in admission or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, physical handicap, and political affiliation. The Dietetics Programs also adhere to the VSU s Equal Opportunity policy and are opened to all applicants who are qualified according to the University admissions requirements. Within this supportive educational environment, each student is encouraged to make a lifetime commitment to professional learning and ethical practice in the dynamic profession of dietetics. School The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is housed in the School of Agriculture. The School of Agriculture includes the following units: Department of Agriculture Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Department of Hospitality Management Cooperative Extension Agriculture Research Randolph Farm Department The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences has the following programs: B.S. Family and Consumer with: Dietetics Concentration* Education Endorsement Family, Child and Community Services Concentration Textiles, Apparel and Marketing Management Concentration Certificate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics* Dietetic Internship: for eligibility to take the national certification RD examination. *Fulfills the DPD requirements. 1

3 VSU Mission Promote and sustain academic programs that integrate instruction, research and extension/public service in a design most responsive to the needs and endeavors of individuals and groups within its scope of influence. Ultimately, the university is dedicated to the promotion of knowledgeable, perceptive and humane citizens-secure in their self awareness, equipped for personal fulfillment, sensitive to the needs and aspirations of others and committed to assuming productive roles in a challenging and ever changing global society. School of Agriculture Mission In keeping with Virginia State University's mission, the School of Agriculture s mission is to improve the educational and socio-economic well-being of students, families, and communities - focusing on excellence through integrated instruction, research and extension programs. Virginia State University's School of Agriculture is a premier school of academic excellence fostering knowledge and improving quality of life through: Teaching: Enhancing student learning in education, technology and research to empower graduates to meet global societal needs Research: Conducting cutting edge and internationally recognized research relevant to agricultural concerns and societal issues impacting families and communities Extension: Converting research results into practical solutions for use by individuals and communities based on issues and needs Didactic Program in Dietetics Mission The mission of Virginia State University s Didactic Program in Dietetics is to prepare Graduates to be outstanding Dietetic Interns who effectively integrate the science and research of dietetics into practice and, who are committed to applying these principles to individuals in our diverse and ever-changing global society. PROGRAM GOALS 1. The program will prepare graduates for competitive Dietetic Internship Placement 2. The program will foster an environment that prepares African-American Students for Dietetics Practice Program Outcomes 1. Program Completion - Over the next five years have 80% of graduates apply for Dietetic Internships within 1 year after graduation as indicated by the graduate survey 2. Supervised Practice Acceptance Rate - Over a five-year period 80% of those applying to supervised practice programs the academic year they complete the program will be accepted. 3. First Time Pass Rate Over a five year period the pass rate for graduates taking the RD exam for the first time will be at least 80% 4. Graduate Performance - DPD assessment exam. Students receive a pass rate of 80% over the next five years. 2

4 5. Graduate Performance - Program graduates will receive a mean rating of satisfactory or above for their overall preparedness from Dietetic Internship Faculty 6. Research Skills - Students Perceived knowledge on research interpretation and evidence based practice will increase from their freshman year to senior year 7. Research Skills - Program graduates will receive a mean rating of satisfactory or above for research skills from Dietetic Internship Faculty 8. Program Completion 80% of program graduates who do not enter Dietetic Internships will enroll in graduate school or be employed in dietetics practice within 1 year after graduation as indicated by the graduate survey 9. Graduate Performance - Student Enrollment will continue to increase until the goal of 60 students is met, by targeting recruitment efforts to incoming freshmen (91% of incoming freshman self-identify as African American) 10. Program Completion - At risk students will be identified in order to enhance program completion 11. Program Completion - Students will rate satisfactory or better on surveys with respect to support, resources and academic advising provided by faculty 12. Program Completion - 80% of students will complete the DPD program within 3 years. The expected time to complete the DPD program is 2 years for both tracks (BS Family and Consumer Science, Dietetic Concentration and the Certificate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics) 13. Program Completion - Student awareness of nutrition related Health Issues of concern to African Americans will increase Overview and Background Information The undergraduate dietetic program began at Virginia State University (VSU) during the late 1940 s. More than 400 persons have graduated from this program. Dietetics is concerned with scientific and practical aspects of foods, nutrition, diet, and human health. The Dietetics curriculum is designed for students who desire education in the science of nutrition and food service systems management leading to positions in clinical and community nutrition, industry, entrepreneurialship, research and college teaching. RD s are practitioners of dietetics in these afore-mentioned settings. Essentially, the educational training needed to become a registered dietitian (RD) consists of progression of the following progression: 1. Successful completion of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) DPD program. 2. Earned Bachelor s degree from a US accredited college or university, or equivalent. 3. Successful completion of a ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship. 4. Passing score on the national Registered Dietitian credentialing exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). 5. Maintenance of professional continuing education as dictated by CDR. DPD Program The VSU DPD is designed to provide a body of foundation knowledge and abilities as outlined in the 2012 Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards for DPD of the ACEND branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The knowledge and skills consist of basic and working knowledge and demonstrable abilities in the content areas of communication, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, research food, nutrition, management, and health care systems. The course contents are dynamic and responsive to the changing health care environment, current trends, and future direction of dietetics. 3

5 Students who complete this DPD and possess a bachelor s degree are eligible to compete for ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship positions through a competitive computer matching process. After successful entrance into, and completion of, a Dietetic Internship program, students are eligible to register and take a national credentialing examination to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). DPD ACCREDITATION STATUS The VSU DPD Program is currently granted full Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL , and phone: (312) extension 5400; The AND s ACEND branch is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The next accreditation review is scheduled for January DPD Curriculum Option 1 B.S. Family and Consumer Science, Concentration in Dietetics Concurrently fulfills the BS degree requirements and the ACEND accredited DPD Program requirements. Graduates are eligible for apply ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship Programs and will be issued a Verification Statement upon Graduation. Option 2 Certificate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics This option is for students who already have a bachelor s degree. Fulfills ACEND accredited DPD Program Requirements. Graduates are eligible to apply for ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship Programs and will be issued a Verification Statement upon Graduation. Option 3 Dietetic Internship This option is open to students who possess a bachelor s degree from a US accredited college or university, or equivalent and who have completed all ACEND DPD requirements. Completion of option 1 or 2 above, does not guarantee entrance. Students must apply via the computerized matching system. More information can be found on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics webs site, Course Requirements Option 1: B.S. Family and Consumer Science, Concentration in Dietetics SEMESTER I ENGL 110: FRESHMAN WRITING 3 MATH 120: BASIC MATHEMATICS 3 GE HISTORY 3 GEPS 124: INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3 FRST 101: FRESHMAN STUDIES 2 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 14 SEMESTER II ENGL 111: READ/WRITE LIT I 3 MATH 121: BASIC MATHMATICS 3 4

6 BIOL 120: PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY/LAB 4 FACS 141: PERSPECTIVES ON PROF 1 GE TECHNOLOGY 3 NBMG 300: BUSINESS PRINCIPLES 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 17 SEMESTER III CHEM 151: GENERAL CHEMISTRY I 3 CHEM 153: GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LAB 1 ECON 210: PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS 3 STAT 210: STATISTICS 3 DIET 310: HUMAN NUTRITION 3 BIOL 316: HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 16 SEMESTER IV GE WELLNESS 2 CHEM 152: GENERAL CHEMISTRY II 3 CHEM 154: GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LAB 1 GE GLOBAL STUDIES 3 DIET 221: PRINC. ANALYSIS OF FOODS 3 DIET 275: SEMINAR IN PRACTICE 1 DIET 311: NUTRITION IN THE LIFE CYCLE 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 16 SEMESTER V BIOL 241: MICROBIOLOGY/LAB 4 CHEM 305: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 3 CHEM 307: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB 1 DIET 322: MEAL MANAGEMENT 3 GE HUMANITIES 3 GE LITERATURE 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 17 SEMESTER VI GE HUMANITIES GEEN 310: ADV. COMM SKILLS 3 DIET 385: NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3 DIET 433: QUANTITY FOODS/ ELECTIVE 3 HMGT 402: STAFF PLANNING 3 ELEC:RESTRICTIVE: 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 15 SEMESTER VII FCCS 402: DESCISION MAKING /ELEC 3 DIET 431: MEDICAL NUT. THERAPY I 3 DIET 435: ORGANIZATION AND MGMT 3 FACS 440: CONT. APPCH CURR & TECH 3 DIET 422: COMMUNITY NUTRITION 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 15 SEMESTER VIII DIET 410: NUT. COUNSELING PRACT 2 DIET 424: ADVANCED NUTRITION 3 DIET 437: MEDICAL NUT. THERAPY II 3 DIET 489: PRACTICUM IN DIETETICS 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 11 TOTAL HOURS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION: 121 Note: Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.25 to matriculate in this program Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) 5

7 Option 2: Certificate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics DIET 221: Prin. of Analysis of Foods 3 DIET 322: Meal Management/Lab 3 DIET 435: Org & Mgmt of Food Service 3 DIET 310: Human Nutrition 3 DIET 385: Nutritional Biochemistry 3 DIET 424: Advanced Nutrition 3 DIET 311: Nutrition in the Life Cycle 3 DIET 410: Nutrition Counseling 2 DIET 422: Community Nutrition 3 DIET 431: Medical Nutrition Therapy I 3 DIET 437: Medical Nutrition Therapy II 3 DIET 489: Practicum in Dietetics 3 DIET 275: Seminar in Dietetic Practice 1 FACS 440: Contemp Aprch Curr & Tech 3 The following support course requirements may be taken at any accredited university with prior approval by the Program Director: Human Physiology Microbiology/Lab General Chemistry I/Lab General Chemistry II/Lab Organic Chemistry/Lab Advanced Communications Business Principles/Mgmt Introduction to Psychology Introduction to Sociology Economics Statistics Admission Option 1: B.S. Family and Consumer Science, Concentration in Dietetics To be admitted to the BS Family and Consumer Science degree program, please follow the standard admission procedure of the university which can be found on the university web site, Option 2: Certificate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics To be admitted to the Certificate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics mail your official undergraduate and/or graduate school transcripts for evaluation to the address below. Transcripts must be received in signed and sealed envelopes issued by the college or university. Please include a $25 transcript evaluation fee, made payable to Virginia State University: Dietetic Program. Paula Inserra, PhD, RD Virginia State University Department of Agriculture and Human Ecology PO Box 9211 Petersburg, VA pinserra@vsu.edu Assessment of Prior Learning 6

8 All incoming freshman and transfer students are required to meet all University requirements to graduate. In addition students must attain a minimum grade of C in all specialized DPD coursework (DIET, FACS and HMGT). Students must follow course sequences as outlined in the University catalog. The University's Office of Transfer Admissions conducts transcript evaluations for prospective and incoming transfer students. Certificate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics students will have their official undergraduate and/or graduate school transcripts evaluated by the DPD Director. Transfer and Certificate program students requests for course substitutions are handled by the DPD Director. Equivalent coursework is determined by comparison of the prior coursework to DPD Program's course requirements. In some case, students will be required to submit course descriptions and/or syllabi so that the determination can be made. Student Performance Students must attain a minimum of C in the specialized courses (DIET, FACS, and HMGT prefixes). Students should work to attain as high a GPA as possible; GPA is associated with opportunities such as induction to honors society, scholarship, internships, and job placement. For examples: while some scholarship funds require only a GPA of 3, others require at least 3.25 or 3.5. Admission to the VSU DI requires a minimum GPA of 3.00, other internships require a 3.2 or above. In addition to subject matter and content, students are to develop critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, leadership, and a sense for community services through course assignments and certain extra-curricular activities. Students are strongly encouraged to actively seek opportunities to develop these skills and value. Honors Society and Scholarship Omicron Nu: Qualifications for induction to this Society are; a sophomore, having earned 45- credit hours, a minimum of 3.0 GPA, sound character. Please be on the look out for scholarship applications that are posted in Gandy Hall. Examples of scholarships available: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarship Virginia Dietetic Association Scholarship Various scholarships established by the alumni associations Academic Calendar and other Student Information Please refer to the University Catalog and VSU website for information such as tuition and fees, withdrawal and refund of tuition and fees and the academic calendar. Insurance Liability Insurance: All students are covered under the University s Risk Management policy through the Commonwealth of Virginia when you are at another facility with a VSU faculty member(s). When traveling in the University vehicle, you are covered by VSU s insurance and liability policy; while traveling with a faculty member in the latter s personal vehicle, you are covered under the faculty s insurance and liability policy. When you travel in your own vehicle, even if it is for 7

9 school/course/program-associated activities, the University, Department or your professor is not responsible for your travel. Your insurance carrier is responsible for any injury, damage, and liability. You should have adequate automobile insurance and liability policy of your own. Privacy of Information Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (the Buckley Amendment), students have an opportunity to see official copies of personal academic information. Further, the student has the opportunity to correct personal and other data and to submit such changes to correct other records (health, disciplinary, etc.) by requesting such inspection in writing and allowing up to 45 days for the actual inspection to occur. Although Virginia State University subscribes to the policy that a student's academic record is confidential and that the student does not surrender his or her individual right to privacy upon admission to the University, it is also fully recognized that it is necessary to provide certain personal and academic information to appropriate public and private agencies upon request. The following student information is considered directory in nature and may be released upon request without prior student approval: name, local and/or permanent mailing address, telephone number, and current enrollment status (to include dates of attendance). Personal and academic information will be released to private agencies, on a need-to-know basis, as required or allowed by law.. Personal files are kept by the Offices of Admission, Registrar, Financial Aid (if you have financial aid), and your Department. Only you may access your file; information about you (other than those items stated in sessions above) is not released to others without your written permission. Student Clubs and Organizations You have the opportunities to develop skills in teamwork, public speaker, leadership, community service through active participation in the following student organizations (also see under Dietetic Internship Advisement Plan): Food and Nutrition Science Club (FANS) Family and Consumer Science Club (FACS) MANRS: Minority Association of Natural Resource Sciences Cost 8

10 Virginia State University Academic Year Semester Tuition and Fees Full Time Hours Undergraduate Graduate Residency Status Residency Status Virginia Non-Virginia Virginia Non-Virginia Tuition $2, $6, $3, $7, Comprehensive Fee (1) 1, , Debt Service Fee (2) State Capital Outlay Fee (3) Subtotal Non-Boarding $3, $7, $4, $8, Room (4) $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, Board (5) $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, Subtotal Room & Board $ 4, $ 4, $ 4, $ 4, Total Cost Room & Board $7, $12, $8, $12, Per Credit Hour Costs (for less than 12 Hours and over 18 Hours) Undergraduate Graduate Residency Status Residency Status Virginia Non-Virginia Virginia Non-Virginia Cost Per Credit Hour $ $ $ $ Comprehensive Fee $ $ $ $ Total Cost Per Credit Hour $ $ $ $ Advisement Your advisor is a person you want to know. Your advisor can help direct you toward your graduation, plans after graduation, and career goals. Make sure to see your advisor frequently, a minimum of four times a semester, at the beginning to ensure you are in the right courses, in the middle for your progress of the semester, during early registration to plan your courses for early registration, toward the end of the semester for a progress report, and at other times as needs arise. Dietetic Internship Advisement The DPD director conducts advisement sessions to prepare you for the Internship application. Be sure to attend the session, as you will learn vital information to help you to obtain an internship appointment. Student Support Services Please take advantage of a wide array of services that are available to you; student health services, psychological services, career planning, student support services (100 Owens Hall x5812, Director: Mrs. Rosa Manson, x5813). The Higher Education Act of 1965 established a series of programs to help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. They are known as TRIO Programs, and they provide a comprehensive array of 9

11 counseling, academic instruction, and support services to eligible students. You may be eligible through the Upward Bound Tutoring for services such as personal and academic counseling, mentorship for freshmen, personal and academic skills sessions, and graduate school preparation sessions. Grievance Procedure Follow the VSU Student Handbook for grievance procedures. If necessary, the grievance procedures available to the Dietetic Interns may be used by the DPD students. The following are the DI grievance policy and procedures. The grade performance evaluations are final. If an intern feels that there is a problem with the grade or evaluation score received, the situation should first be discussed with the faculty member involved. If the problem is not resolved, an appeal, adhering to the guidelines of the Grievance/Grade Procedures, may be initiated. 1. A statement of the problem and the reason for the appeal must be submitted in writing to the Program Director and the facility preceptor within five business days of the grade or evaluation conference. Students will deliquesce their rights to any further appeal after the five-business-day time frame. The matter will be considered resolved. 2. The Program Director will analyze the problem. Discussion may ensue and the solution along with an action plan, if any, shall be documented within five business days of the submission of the written appeal. 3. If the intern is not satisfied with the solution and the matter remains unresolved, then the problem along with the documentation may be referred by the student to the Chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences within five business days. Discussion may ensue and the solution along with an action plan, if any, shall be documented within five business days of the submission of the written appeal. Students will relinquish their rights to any further appeal after the five-business-day time frame. The matter will be considered resolved. If the situation is not resolved at the department level, students may appeal to the Dean of the School of Agriculture in the same format as described above. If the student desires to appeal to the school level, he/she should submit the document to the Dean within five business days. Students will relinquish their rights to any further appeal after the five-business-day time frame. The matter will be considered resolved. If the intern or if the student feels she/he cannot approach the Director, she/he should make an appointment to discuss the problem with the chair of the Department of family and Consumer Sciences. This should be done within five business days of the occurrence of the problem. Disciplinary/Termination Procedures Refer to VSU Catalog and VSU Student Handbook for these and academic warning and sanction information and procedure. 10

12 Attendance See the University Catalog for semester breaks, holidays, and absence policies. Individual instructors, also, may have their own attendance policies. Attendance is very important, as it helps you toward academic achievement. Evaluation The grades of your courses represent the summative evaluation of your performance in the courses. Your GPA represents the summative evaluation of your performance in the curriculum. Graduation and Program Completion Requirements As mentioned earlier, to graduate from the DPD you must achieve a minimum grade of C in all the DIET, FACS and HMGT courses. There should be no I (incomplete) grades in any of your courses. You must also satisfy all library and financial obligations, and pay the required graduation fee. You must also apply for graduation, adhering to the application deadline, typically in November. The Department conducts an advisory meeting for prospective graduates sometimes in late October or early November. Notices for the meeting are posted around the Department; make every effort to attend the advisory meeting. At this meeting, a representative from the Registrar s office presents a detailed explanation of the necessary steps you need to take to ensure that you will graduate as planned. After having been cleared for graduation, you will be issued four copies of Verification Statement with the DPD Director s original signature on each. Verification Statements DPD Verification Statements are a required component of an ACEND Dietetic Internship Application. Students will be issued four original copies of their Verification Statement upon completion of DPD course requirements. Students must complete all DPD courses, in the proper sequence, with a grade of C or better, in addition to completing all requirements for the Bachelor s Degree in order to be issued a Verification Statement. Please keep Verification Statements in a safe place, as a replacement copy cost $5 each. Dietetic Internship Application Advisement Plan Dietetic Internship (DI) is the last part of your dietetic education before you become a registered dietitian. Successful completion of a DI program qualifies you to take the national registration examination (RD exam). When you pass the RD exam, you may use the professional suffix, RD. Entrance into a DI is highly competitive and you need to present an application packet that has a competitive edge reflective of your solid undergraduate preparation among a pool of applicants across the country. You are encouraged to apply to several DI programs to increase your chances of receiving a match (a position) to an internship program. Most programs utilize the DICAS centralized application system but you must check with each individual program to verify their admission criteria and procedure. A complete listing of programs can be found on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics s web site, You must ALSO participate in computer matching through D&D Digital Systems by submitting a computer matching application. Be sure to adhere to all postmark deadlines. Applications not meeting deadlines are not processed. The D&D Digital Systems computer matching application can be found online at or a hard copy can be obtained from the DPD Director. 11

13 Virginia State University s (VSU) DI utilizes the DICAS centralized application system and participates in computer matching and is opened to all eligible applicants from across the U.S., Puerto Rico and other countries. While VSU s DI program gives special consideration to its DPD graduates, you are not automatically admitted. For all practical purposes, you should remember that you have to compete for admission to the VSU DI program. VSU partners with many organizations outside of the university to train our Dietetic Interns. Preceptors from these organizations serve on the Selection Panel. The Selection Panelists independently rank the applicants, and the Panel comes to a consensus to produce a final ranking selection which is submitted to the D&D Digital Systems. You must rank your preferences of the DI programs to which you applied on your computer matching application to D&D Digital Systems. D&D s computer program matches the applicant to a DI program and on the appointment date, they notify the DI program and you, the applicant, of the results of the matching. The result of the matching is either a match or no match. A match means you have a DI position (you are admitted); no match means you do not have a DI position. Your advisor, the DPD director, helps you to increase your competitiveness and your chance of receiving a match when you apply for internship. Here are the steps she takes to help you toward this goal: Step 1 During your first nutrition courses, DIET 275 and DIET 310, Human Nutrition, the DPD Director informs you of the requirements of the internship program, and the importance of working together, communication, and advising sessions. Step 2 During each of the subsequent nutrition courses and in the introductory sessions of the courses, the DPD director informs/reminds you of the importance of strengthening your portfolio and building your resume to make yourself an attractive candidate for internship. Grades, GPA, dietetic related experiences, volunteer work, writing, analytical and critical thinking skills, and leadership are all criteria which are evaluated when you apply for internship. Again, in the DIET courses, your DPD director and instructors design assignments to build your skills and abilities. These learning opportunities will strengthen you, enhance your portfolio and resume, and give you a competitive edge. Meaningful dietetics related extracurricular involvement and volunteer activities are encouraged. Remember these involvement and activities give you opportunities to refine your leadership, public speaking, mentoring, time management, teamwork and conflict resolution skills. They can produce many networks of friends and colleagues and build you confidence as a future dietetic professional. Step 3 During September of your senior year, a formal session is conducted outside of classes to formally explain the application process. While this session is planned for the seniors, all dietetic students are encouraged to attend. In this session, you will be informed of the following: Selecting internship programs that meet your criteria. Where to obtain application packages. Completing the DICAS Internship application. Obtain the required number of recommendation. Declaration of Intent. Essay, resume or other information (if required). 12

14 Postmark deadlines. D&D Digitals System computer matching application. The DPD curriculum is rigorous and challenging, the internship admission is highly competitive, and the internship is demanding. However, the dietetic profession offers many options. All our graduates have responsible and rewarding jobs, extremely competitive salaries, and the career progression is very positive. The efforts you put in the dietetics program will be highly rewarding. 13