The Study of Dieteticsat NichollsStateUniversity
DIDACTIC PROGRAM IN DIETETICS
DEPARTMENT OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH
NICHOLLSSTATEUNIVERSITY
P. O. Box 2090
Thibodaux, Louisiana70310
985/493-2624
2015-2016
Information in this document is subject to change and is supplemental to the information found in the UniversityCatalogor provided by faculty advisors in the Didactic Program in Dietetics. Some information has been obtained from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………..3
Dietetics at Nicholls State University
College of Nursing and Allied Health……………………………….5
Department of Allied Health Sciences……………………………...7
Didactic Program in Dietetics………………………………………..7
DPD Program Goals………………………………………………….7
Program Outcome Measures……………….…………………….…7
Accreditation…………………………………………………………..8
University Admission Requirements and University Policies...... 8
DPD Program Admission and Verification Statement Policy…….9
Declaration of the Major……………………………………………..10
Advising and Progression Policies………………………………...10
Facilities…………………………………………………………...... 11
Faculty………………………………………………………………...11
Program Communication on Moodle…...………………………….13
Academics
Curriculum/Formal Assessment……………………………….……13
Academic Integrity……………………………………………………13
Student Academic Grievance Policy……………………………….14
Expenses/Travel………………………………………………….…..15
Professional Membership……………………………………………15
Scholarships and Financial Aid……………………………………..16
Tutoring………………………………………………………….…….16
Disability Policy……………………………………………………….16
Ellender Memorial Library……………………………………………17
Transfers and Course Currency…………………………………….17
Computer Lab…………………………………………………...... 18
Letters of Recommendation………………………………………....18
Procedures for Complaints Against DPD Programs………………19
Professional Expectations…………………………………………...20
Constructive Use of Social Media…………………………………...22
Dress Code………………………………………………………….…23
Activities………………………………………………………..……....23
Current Curriculum…………………………………………………...24
Program Application………………………………………………….26
DPD – GPA Calculation……………………………………………..28
Verification of Program Handbook Receipt .………………..………….30
The Field of Dietetics
The registered dietitian is the recognized, credentialed food and nutrition expert qualified to provide to the general public information designed to improve diet and prevent diseases with dietary risk factors as well as to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to individuals with diseases/medical conditions having a dietary component as part of treatment.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitians is expected to grow about as fast as all occupations through 2016 due to increasing emphasis on disease prevention through sound dietary habits. A growing and aging population will require the services of dietitians in school systems, community health agencies, hospitals, extended care facilities, and home health care agencies.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticsdescribe the variety of positions where dietitians are employed. As clinical dietitians they are employed by hospitals and nursing care facilities both private and public. While this role is a traditional one, the expertise needed to interact in the challenging field of medicine requires that registered dietitians be lifelong learners continually honing their clinical skills.
Community dietitians work in public health clinics, home health agencies, and health maintenance organizations. An ability to speak before groups and interact one-on-one with clients contributes to success in this area. Management dietitians are employed by corporations providing food service to schools, universities, hospitals, and correctional facilities. This is an especially challenging area of dietetics as it involves providing appealing, well prepared food in a timely fashion to large numbers of customers. Expertise in management and marketing, knowledge of food preparation techniques, and the food ways of varied cultural groups are among the skills that enable registered dietitians to work effectively in this venue.
Many dietitians work for several years in clinical and or management and then become self-employed consultants working in a variety of settings such aslong term care facilities, wellness centers, and supermarkets. Increased opportunities have developed for registered dietitians in the food industry—research and development, manufacturing, food safety, advertising, marketing, consulting, and journalism. The pharmaceutical industry relies upon registered dietitians as sales representatives for a variety of products especially those providing specialized nutrition support.
Graduates of Didactic Programs in Dietetics with a bachelor’s degree who choose not to pursue registration status or who are unsuccessful in obtaining a dietetic internship initially are qualified to take the registration examination for dietetic technicians.More information can be obtained from the DPD Director. They find employment as dietary managers and food service managers working in long term care facilities and hospitals. Others work in schools, as health educators in government agencies and private corporations, in the hospitality industry, and for food service contractors who supply food services at industrial, commercial, institutional, or governmental sites. Still others focus on food safety obtaining employment as health inspectors/sanitarians with state agencies such as Louisiana’s Department of Health & Hospitals.
Registered Dietitians are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD/RDN credential:
- Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. They consist of 1200 hours of supervised practice and last six to 12 months.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
The appeal of a career in dietetics with all its possibilities has yielded an increased number of DPD graduates in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of internship positions has remained relatively constant leaving growing numbers of qualified students who are unable to complete their education and become Registered Dietitians.
In their role as mentors the dietetics faculty includes career counseling in their interaction with students and advisees. Students are urged to maintain a high GPA and pursue activities which will make them good candidates for an internship program.Thefaculty regularly directs the students to positions in the field of dietetics that do not require registration status such as those cited earlier.
This DPD Student Handbook includes policies of the DPD program in addition to university policies.
Dietetics at Nicholls State University
The Nicholls Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is housed within the Department of Allied Health Sciences under the College of Nursing and Allied Health. Nicholls is the only institution in southeastern Louisiana and the greater New Orleans area to offer a didactic program in dietetics. Because of its uniqueness to this region of Louisiana, it is imperative that the undergraduate program continue to monitor emerging health issues of the region and the state, in order to prepare students to address those needs in the work force upon graduation.
Nicholls State University opened its doors in 1948 as Francis T. Nicholls Junior College of Louisiana State University. In 1956 the Louisiana Legislature separated Nicholls from LSU, designating it as Francis T. Nicholls State College. Its first baccalaureate degrees were awarded in 1958. The name of the institution was changed to Nicholls State University by Act 93 of the Louisiana Legislature in 1970.
Identified program strengths of the Nicholls DPD Program include:
•17 hours of science courses
•Four courses with a clinical focus; Diet 395 Nutrition Assessment, Diet 416 MNT I, Diet 418 MNT II, and 419 MNT Lab.
•Four courses with a patient and community focus; Diet 201 Applied Nutrition Lab, Diet 300 Nutrition Education and Counseling, Diet 305 Lifecycle Nutrition, and 390 Community Nutrition.
•Two research courses; Diet 450 Research in Dietetics I and Diet 451 Research in Dietetics II.
•Five courses with a food service management focus; Diet 215 Meal Management, Diet 264 Food Science, Diet 301 Institutional Planning and Purchasing, Diet 316 Organization and Management, and Diet 404 Quantity Food Production.
•Course coordination with the John Folse Culinary School in Diet 301 and Diet 404. The culinary students and dietetic students collaborate on a healthy menu item in Le Bistro the culinary school’s restaurant course.
•Diverse faculty with varied previous work experience in specialized areas of community nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, foodservice management and research.
College of Nursing and Allied Health
Mission Statement
The College of Nursing and Allied Health at Nicholls State University prepares students to contribute to a global society and a diverse workforce as productive, responsible, and engaged citizens, and as well-educated healthcare professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the service region and beyond. This is accomplished by continuously improving its teaching, research, and service in a student-centered, culturally rich and dynamic learning environment that fosters faculty, staff, and student engagement. The College extends its mission beyond instruction by offering continuing education activities for healthcare professionals. The College is dedicated to continuous quality improvement through systematic assessment and evaluation of program outcomes, processes, and current and former students.
Vision
To be recognized as an innovative leader in the educational preparation of entry-level and advanced nurses practice and allied health professionals.
Values
The College of Nursing and Allied Health supports values that promote citizenship, concern for self and others, and the desire for a better world,” by embracing as its core values:
Civic Responsibility – We use our time and talents to serve our community, recognizing that service to others is the cornerstone of the health professions.
Diversity – We respect differences among members of society by providing a nurturing and tolerant environment.
Excellence – We strive to achieve the highest quality in all endeavors. We strive for excellence in teaching, research, and service, and empowerment through learning.
Integrity – We strive to be fair and truthful in all instances.
Leadership – We are good stewards and representatives of the university because we value our collective role as a regional leader and model for all we serve.
Respectfulness – We commit to the customs and amenities of a civil society. We respect the rights of others and are responsive to the needs and interest of our constituents.
Responsibility – We are responsible for our actions. We adhere to the doctrine of individual accountability in all our activities and contributions.
Caring – We treat others with empathy and openness in all our encounters while respecting each one’s individuality.
Professionalism – We strive to demonstrate integrity in all our actions and to be committed and accountable to our stakeholders.
Safety – We commit to mitigating error through system analysis, quality improvement, and personal accountability and responsibility.
Department of Allied Health Sciences
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Allied Health Sciences is to prepare students to contribute to a global society and a diverse workforce as productive, responsible, and engaged citizens, and as well-educated allied health professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the Bayou Region and beyond.
Vision:
To be recognized as an innovative leader in the educational preparation of allied health care professionals.
Didactic Program in Dietetics
MissionStatement
The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics at Nicholls State University is to prepare students to be self-directed, accountable and able to successfully complete a dietetic internship or graduate study.
DPD Program Goals
Three broad goals guide the program. They are:
1)The program will prepare graduates to be competent for supervised practice or other post-graduate programs.
2)Through academic advising, the program will retain the number of students who complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
3)The program will prepare graduates who are committed to professional involvement, leadership, and service.
Program Outcome Measures
1. Over a 5 year period, 60% of DPD graduates will apply to supervised practice programs the academic year they complete the program.
2. Over a 5 year period, 80% of those applying to supervised practice programs the academic year they complete the program will be accepted.
3. Alumni achieve over a five-year period, a pass rate of at least 80 percent on the RD exam.
4. Within a year of graduation at least 90% of DPD graduates will report acceptance into dietetic internships, graduate programs, or will be employed in a dietetics related profession.
5. Dietetic Internship Directors will rate 90% of Nicholls State University DPD graduates as Good, Very Good, or Excellent for Overall Preparedness for supervised practice.
6. Maintain a 70% five year average of enrolled juniors graduating within 3 years.
7. “Quality of Career Guidance, Advising, and Communication with Faculty” will receive a rating of “3” Satisfactory or above on graduate survey.
8. Averaged over a 5 year period, at least 50 percent of graduates report membership in a professional dietetics related association.
Program outcome data is available by request.
Accreditation
The Didactic Program in Dietetics at Nicholls is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; (312) 899-5400;
University Admission Requirements and University Policies
NichollsStateUniversity is the only university in southeast Louisianaoffering an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics. The university’s admission requirements and information regarding fees, tuition and other expenses can be found in the Nicholls State University Catalog on the university website (
or by contacting the Admissions Office (985-448-4507) or 1-877-NICHOLLS. The university academic calendar can be found at the website,
The following university policies can be found on the Nicholls website:
- Withdrawal and refund of tuition and fees:
- University academic calendar:
- Protection of privacy of student information:
- Access to personal files:
- Access to student support services, including health services, counseling and testing and financial aid resources: and
- Disciplinary/termination procedures:
- Graduation and/or program completion requirements for all options including maximum amount of time allowed for completing program requirements in place at the time student enrolls:
DPD Program Admission Requirements and Verification Statement Policy
Students must apply to the Nicholls DPD Program during the spring semester of their sophomore year. The application with the minimum requirements can be found on pages 26-27 of this handbook. All courses in the Dietetics curriculum must be passed with a “C” or better to graduate. The program will accept up to 30 students each year. All applications will be scored and ranked according to content, personal statement, and GPA. Applicants ranked in the top 30 will be accepted. If an applicant is unsuccessful, they will be referred to their academic advisor for counseling.
Minimum requirements for application to the program are:
1. Students must be a declared Dietetics major.
2. Student must have a minimum OVERALL GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. The following courses (or their equivalent) must be completed with a minimum grade of “C.” While C’s are the minimum grade required, it is recommended that students earn A’s and B’s.
Course Number / Course Name / Credit HoursBIOL 114 / Human Anatomy & Phys I / 3
BIOL 115 / Human Anatomy & Phys Lab I / 1
BIOL 116 / Human Anatomy & Phys II / 3
BIOL 117 / Human Anatomy & Phys Lab II / 1
ENGL 101 / English Composition I / 3
ENGL 102 / English Composition II / 3
MATH 101 OR 117 / College Algebra or Contemporary Math / 3
MATH 214 / Statistics / 3
DIET 111 / Food and Nutrition / 3
DIET 215 / Meal Management / 3
DIET 200 / Applied Nutrition / 3
CHEM 101 OR 105 / General Chem I or Introductory Chem I / 3
PSYC Elective / 3
Total Credit Hours / 35 hours
Upon successful completion of the general university requirements for the baccalaureate degree and the dietetics curriculum, students earn a B.S. degree in Dietetics. To receive the Verification Statement required for application to a supervised practice program (internship), a student must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in the DPD courses listed in the student handbook (
Nicholls’ Didactic Program in Dietetics is designed to develop analytical thinking and responsibility for self-education. It emphasizes professional involvement, the importance of ethics, and the standards of dietetics education. Acceptance into a supervised practice program is very competitive. Students should strive to maintain a high grade point average and to gain work and/or volunteer experience in a dietetics-related area if possible.
Declaration of the Major
Students are strongly encouraged to seek advice from the DPD faculty regarding advising as well as from their assigned University College advisor during their Freshman year.Once you have successfully completed UniversityCollege requirements and/or 15 hours of college credits and registered for DIET 120 you should have completed the necessary paperwork to “declare” Dietetics as your major. At that time, you will be assigned to a faculty advisor in the department. See “Advising”.
You are responsible for setting up a meeting with your advisor to plan the remaining coursework needed according to the current curriculum. It is expected that the student will keep the advisor apprised of changes and/or difficulties with obtaining courses as planned. Courses are sequenced and many have prerequisites so it is imperative that ongoing advising takes place. Students are responsible for contacting advisors prior to registering for courses or as instructed by the advisor.
Advising and Progression Policy
Each student is assigned an advisor for mentoring and academic advising. Each semester during the University’s regularly scheduled advising period, the faculty advisor and student review the student’s personal academic plan to assess the student’s progress through the program. A schedule for the upcoming semester is determined and approved by the advisor. Incoming freshman receive academic advising through University College but are still required by the Didactic Program in Dietetics to contact the program (985.493.2624) to arrange a meeting with a dietetics advisor. This insures that dietetics majors are progressing through the dietetics curriculum appropriately and receive career mentoring. The academic plan is designed to allow the student to progress through the curriculum in a timely manner. It is critical that the student complete the prerequisites in an orderly fashion to insure that foundation knowledge and skills are developed enabling the student to succeed in subsequent courses. Prerequisites and GPA will be monitored each semester during the advising session. Students will receive advice on other career options if they are not successful in meeting the DPD program requirements.
Once students are accepted into the Dietetics program, they must pass each course with a minimum grade of “C”. Students will be allowed to repeat a course that has a grade lower than a “C” once. If the student cannot pass the course successfully the second time they will be counseled and advised as to alternative majors.
In the DIET 120 Orientation to the Dietetics Profession course, students will develop an academic plan and present it to their academic advisor for approval. Students who enter the program at other times will confer with their academic advisor