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Program Mission, Goals & Objectives

DPD Program Mission

To provide the foundation knowledge and skills in dietetics, and preparation of students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN).

The mission of the Department of Nutritional Sciences and the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are aligned with CAL’s, The University of Arizona’s Strategic Plan “Never Settle” and the overall UA mission. The University of Arizona’s DPD mission and goals are also congruent with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ (AND) Scope of Practice for the Registered Dietitian, the Standards for Professional Performance, and the 2017 Standards of Practice in Nutrition Care along with the Standards for the Dietetic Technician, Registered.

The DPD mission and goals promotes the training of future registered dietitian nutritionists, dietetic technicians, registered, other nutrition professionals to optimize the nation’s health by promoting patient-centered care that is culturally competent. The University of Arizona, Department of Nutritional Sciences, and the DPD mission statements are intertwined to promote a strong knowledge base and skills to prepare graduates that are competent for supervised and entry-level practice as dietitians in the state and nation. Our graduates are poised to assist individuals and populations in optimizing eating and lifestyle behaviors to enhance quality of life. This is in direct alignment with AND’s standard of practice for registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians, registered. Our graduates develop their knowledge base and skill set to provide nutritional services that span a continuum including food service systems, business, communications, health promotion, disease prevention, and nutrition policy.

Goals:
Goal #1: The program will provide a quality education to prepare graduates for entry into supervised practice, graduate school or the workforce in nutrition or a related field.

DPD Objectives:

  1. 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%. 
  2. 50% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation. 
  3. 50% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation. 
  4. At least 80% of program graduates complete program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of the program length).
  5. 80% of Dietetic Internship Directors surveyed will rate the DPD graduates as “excellent” or “outstanding” in preparation for supervised practice.
  6. 80% of DPD graduating seniors will rate the overall quality of the program as “excellent” or “good”.

Goal #2: The program will provide experiential learning opportunities to prepare graduates with the skills, knowledge and beliefs to be successful in supervised practice, graduate school or the workforce in nutrition or a related field.

DPD Objectives:

  1. 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%. 
  2. 80% of DPD graduating seniors will rate the overall quality of the program as “excellent” or “good”.
  3. 80% of DPD graduates within the last three years who return the alumni survey will rate the program as “excellent” or “good” in preparing them for supervised practice, graduate school or entry-level practice in nutrition or a related field.
  4. 80% of Dietetic Internship Directors surveyed will rate the DPD graduates as “excellent” or “outstanding” in preparation for supervised practice.