Develop knowledge and skills to meet accreditation standards as a Registered Dietician (RD).
Objective
Develop Knowledge And Skills Necessary To Provide Entry Level Services
Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills associated with the standards of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
Indicator
National Registration Examination For Dietetics (RD Exam)
Graduates who take the National Registration Examination for Dietetics (RD Exam) will pass it on the first time it is attempted. This indicator is consistent with the requirements of the Commission on Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting body for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Criterion
80% Passing On First Administration
The report from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will indicate that 80% of first-time test takers on the National Registration Examination for Dietetics (RD Exam) who graduated from the Combined Master's and Dietetic Internship Program pass the exam.
Finding
RD Exam Results
The RD exam changed exam venues from ACT to Pearson Vue on January 1, 2014. The official results of the cohort that graduated in December 2013 will not be available until September 1, 2014. Of the 10 students that have graduated, 9 have self-reported passing the RD exam within the last seven months. Based on the self-report, the pass rate is 90% for this most recent group of graduates, greatly exceeding the 80% goal. The five year first time pass rate from 2009 to 2013 is 81%, also exceeding the 80% goal.
The finding was based on the official RD exam five year summary report for those that took the exam between 2009 and 2013. The report shows our students' averages in two areas (Nutrition and Foodservice) as well as the national average.
Action
Addressing Identified Weaknesses
At this point, this criterion appears to have been met for 2013-2014. For the past three years, the pass rate has consistently been above 80%. This is reflected in the five year summary report which is over 80% for the first time since the 2006 to 2010 report. The two faculty members most directly involved with the program have continued to encourage students to take the exam in a timely manner.
Maintaining this level of excellence will require continued vigilance on the part of these two faculty members as they direct dietetic interns in this program. This goal (of at least 80% passage rate) must continue to be met for continued program accreditation, and the program's reputation for excellence is closely tied to the high pass rate that has been achieved.
The DI Director and faculty are continuing to provide case studies, journal articles, and class discussions/lectures specific to the area of Medical Nutrition Therapy, Food Service Management, and Community Nutrition to help increase knowledge and application of material. In addition, interns must take an approved RD exam review course and complete a mock RD exam with a score of 80% or better prior to graduation.
Objective
Internship/Field Activities
Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills as they participate in internship/field activities that prepare them for entry-level positions as dietitians.
Indicator
RD Supervisor Checklist Of Portfolio Activities
Embedded assessments are found in courses such as FACS 5379, 5330, 5383, 5375, and SOCI 5414. For example, as each student completes a semester of FACS 5379, the supervised practice portion of the program, the Registered Dietitian supervising the student completes a check sheet indicating which skills of the entry-level dietitian have been met with that semester's work. A portfolio of activities in the courses FACS 5383, 5375, and 5379 will be used to measure student learning as they progress through the Combined Master's and Dietetic Internship Program. An example of a portfolio is available in the Dietetic Internship Director's office but portfolios for this program generally are much too large to attach to this document.
Criterion
90% Of Students Scoring At Least 80% Of Entry Level Dietitian Competencies
90% of students' portfolio evaluation (the evaluations of the Registered Dietitians with whom the students were working is part of this) will show successful completion of 80% or more of the competencies for an entry-level dietitian.
Finding
Portfolio Assessment
100% of students in the 2012-2013 cohort demonstrated successful completion of at least 80% of the competencies for an entry-level dietitian based on portfolios and portfolio assessment. Even though the interns met the targeted score, they were weaker in the area of clinical nutrition.
Action
Addressing Portfolio Weaknesses
The DI Director will address program standards with incoming interns at orientation and mentor interns in portfolio development throughout the program. A pre-practicum exam is now given to incoming interns to evaluate their current knowledge base in clinical, food service management, and community. Interns will not be placed in clinical rotation their first semester in the program. The FACS 5079 course taken by interns their first semester will provide clinical information necessary to prepare students for clinical rotations.
When competencies are not met, the DI Director and other faculty will mentor and guide the intern to meet the standards either through course assignments or additional rotation experiences. These assignments can be tailored based on the needs of the individual and group as evidenced by the pre-practicum exam and evaluation feedback from preceptors.
The portfolios are not accepted until the standard is met. The standard is based on requirements for an entry-level dietitian and is formed by regular attendance at and participation in AND-sponsored workshops and webinars regarding expectations of the profession.
Objective
Demonstrated Knowledge And Skills For Entry-level
Students will demonstrate entry-level knowledge and skills to provide dietitian services.
Indicator
Mock RD Exam
The Mock RD Exam, developed by faculty, has proven, over the past four years it has been used, to be an excellent diagnostic tool as well as a predictor of whether or not the student will pass the National Registration Examination for Dietetics (RD Exam) on the first attempt.
Criterion
90% Of Students Score At Least 80% On Mock RD Exam
90% of students who exit the program will score a passing grade on the Mock RD Exam of 80% or higher (a passing grade on the Mock RD Exam is required before a Letter of Verification will be issued; the Letter of Verification must be issued before a student can sit for the National Registration Examination for Dietetics).
Finding
Mock RD Exam Results
The 10 students in the cohort passed the Mock RD Exam with a score of 80% or better and earned their Verification Statement. The exam showed that their clinical nutrition base can be strengthened.
Action
Mock RD Exam Results
If an area identified on the Mock RD exam is less than satisfactory (80%), the DI Director will provide study/review material specific to that area to increase intern knowledge. The DI Director will also review the program to identify and modify the program as needed to strengthen the student skills identified by low results on the Mock RD Exam.
A Nutrition Assessment course (FACS 4371) has been added to the Fall schedule for undergraduate nutrition majors. A goal for the DI program in the next two years is to have interns take this course for graduate credit in place of one of their research classes. This class is geared to strengthen clinical skills necessary for clinical nutrition practice and will be of great benefit to the interns.
The Mock RD Exam will continue to be used as a method of determining whether students are ready and prepared to take the Registration Examination for Dietetics (RD Exam). Students who do not pass the Mock RD Exam will not be issued the Letter of Verification that is required in order to take the RD Exam.
Goal
Supervised Practice
Students in the Combined MS and Dietetic Internship Program will progress through supervised practice in clinical, community and foodservice rotations and a curriculum that will augment knowledge and increase skills to promote excellence in research and dietetic practice.
Objective
Scheduled Rotations And Research Activities
Students will demonstrate practical and critical thinking skills from each scheduled rotation and research activity. Rotations are in various clinical, community, food service, and research settings and total 1,200 hours over three long semesters. Content and activities in the rotations are designed to meet the requirements of the accrediting body, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Indicator
End-of-Rotation Exams
End of rotation exams developed by faculty will be used to measure students' progress toward knowledge and skills demonstrations.
Criterion
90% Of Students Score 80% At End Of Rotations
Over 90% of the students will indicate on an exit survey completed at the end of the program that, through program goals, they have acquired practical and critical thinking skills and provide a rating of satisfactory or higher on the survey
Finding
Progression/Successful Completion
100% of the 10 students graduating in December of 2013 successfully completed their rotations and the exit survey.
90% of the interns indicated that all the rotations were satisfactory for achieving their goals and acquiring appropriate skills. The highest satisfaction was with the clinical rotation and the lowest satisfaction was with their community rotations.
Action
Progression/Successful Completion
All 10 students of the cohort completed the program by December 2013. New clinical sites have been added to the rotation schedule to enhance student experiences. The activities and projects completed at these rotations are being revised to improve the experience the intern receives. If a site is unable to meet the standards of the program, the site will no longer be used by the program.
In addition, incoming interns create goals they want to achieve throughout the program at orientation. The DI Director reviews the goals with each intern and provides feedback on whether or not the goals are realistic and in the scope of the program. The DI Director will meet with the interns every two weeks and help them set achievable goals.
Goal
Knowledge And Skills Development
Develop knowledge and skills to meet accreditation standards as a Registered Dietician (RD).
Objective
Internship/Field Activities
Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills as they participate in internship/field activities that prepare them for entry-level positions as dietitians.
Indicator
RD Supervisor Checklist Of Portfolio Activities
Embedded assessments are found in courses such as FACS 5379, 5330, 5383, 5375, and SOCI 5414. For example, as each student completes a semester of FACS 5379, the supervised practice portion of the program, the Registered Dietitian supervising the student completes a check sheet indicating which skills of the entry-level dietitian have been met with that semester's work. A portfolio of activities in the courses FACS 5383, 5375, and 5379 will be used to measure student learning as they progress through the Combined Master's and Dietetic Internship Program. An example of a portfolio is available in the Dietetic Internship Director's office but portfolios for this program generally are much too large to attach to this document.
Criterion
90% Of Students Scoring At Least 80% Of Entry Level Dietitian Competencies
90% of students' portfolio evaluation (the evaluations of the Registered Dietitians with whom the students were working is part of this) will show successful completion of 80% or more of the competencies for an entry-level dietitian.
Objective
Develop Knowledge And Skills Necessary To Provide Entry Level Services
Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills associated with the standards of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
Indicator
National Registration Examination For Dietetics (RD Exam)
Graduates who take the National Registration Examination for Dietetics (RD Exam) will pass it on the first time it is attempted. This indicator is consistent with the requirements of the Commission on Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting body for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Criterion
80% Passing On First Administration
The report from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will indicate that 80% of first-time test takers on the National Registration Examination for Dietetics (RD Exam) who graduated from the Combined Master's and Dietetic Internship Program pass the exam.
Objective
Demonstrated Knowledge And Skills For Entry-level
Students will demonstrate entry-level knowledge and skills to provide dietitian services.
Indicator
Mock RD Exam
The Mock RD Exam, developed by faculty, has proven, over the past four years it has been used, to be an excellent diagnostic tool as well as a predictor of whether or not the student will pass the National Registration Examination for Dietetics (RD Exam) on the first attempt.
Criterion
90% Of Students Score At Least 80% On Mock RD Exam
90% of students who exit the program will score a passing grade on the Mock RD Exam of 80% or higher (a passing grade on the Mock RD Exam is required before a Letter of Verification will be issued; the Letter of Verification must be issued before a student can sit for the National Registration Examination for Dietetics).
Goal
Supervised Practice
Students in the Combined MS and Dietetic Internship Program will progress through supervised practice in clinical, community and foodservice rotations and a curriculum that will augment knowledge and increase skills to promote excellence in research and dietetic practice.
Objective
Scheduled Rotations And Research Activities
Students will demonstrate practical and critical thinking skills from each scheduled rotation and research activity. Rotations are in various clinical, community, food service, and research settings and total 1,200 hours over three long semesters. Content and activities in the rotations are designed to meet the requirements of the accrediting body, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Indicator
End-of-Rotation Exams
End of rotation exams developed by faculty will be used to measure students' progress toward knowledge and skills demonstrations.
Criterion
90% Of Students Score 80% At End Of Rotations
Over 90% of the students will indicate on an exit survey completed at the end of the program that, through program goals, they have acquired practical and critical thinking skills and provide a rating of satisfactory or higher on the survey