Western Carolina University
Nutrition and Dietetics Program Assessment Plan
2006-2011
Department: Health Sciences
Program: Nutrition and Dietetics
Name of person completing report: Wayne E. Billon, Program Director
Unit Mission Statement
Teaching and learning constitute the central mission of Western Carolina University. Faculty and
students in the nutrition and dietetics program are active members in the community of scholarship at
Western Carolina University. Faculty are dedicated to providing optimal learning experiences for both
majors in the program and students in the Liberal Studies program, and nutrition and dietetics majors
are required to take courses across several disciplines represented in the university.
The nutrition and dietetics program provides a quality baccalaureate program for students who seek a
career in nutrition and dietetics. The program is designed to meet the knowledge and practice standards
of the American Dietetic Association by providing strong liberal arts foundation with professional
preparation in nutrition and dietetics sciences. Program emphasis is on didactic preparation in
nutrition, dietetics, food science and management with integrated laboratory and clinical experiences.
Graduates will obtain the knowledge requirements for entry-level dietetic positions not requiring
registration and will be qualified to pursue further training through graduate study and/or ADAaccredited internship experiences.
The nutrition and dietetics program also supports the university's commitment to service, research and
creative activities. Faculty provides expertise to local schools and community agencies for nutritionrelated activities and research projects. Students are encouraged to participate in service activities, are
required to volunteer with local nutrition professionals, and are involved in research activities when
possible.
Program student learning outcomes (goals) and assessment measures:
The goals and outcomes of the Nutrition and Dietetics program are as follows:
Goal 1:
To provide a quality undergraduate educational program in nutrition and dietetics.
Outcome 1.1:
The Nutrition and Dietetics program will retain accreditation with the American Dietetic
Association.
Records of accreditation status will be maintained by the program director.
Goal 2:
To graduate well-trained professionals possessing the knowledge requirements for entry-level dietetics
positions not requiring registration and the skills required to pursue further training through graduate
study or ADA-accredited dietetic internships.
Outcome 2.1:
The program will maintain at least an 80% pass rate on the national registration examination.
Pass rates for the program are supplied by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Outcome 2.2:
Seniors enrolled in ND 439: Introduction to Professional Practice will be prepared to enter into a
professional internship through mock RD exam testing, learning interview techniques, and resume
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writing.
Outcome 2.3:
Seniors and graduates that pursue an internship will be positively evaluated by a six member
Nutrition and Dietetics Advisory Council in the following areas of competence:
a.
Professional behavior (respectful conduct and communication, dress, etc.),
professional ethics (patient confidentiality, etc.), and work ethic (timeliness, staying
for entire shift, etc.)
b.
Academic preparation and knowledge
These data are collected annually in a semi-structured focus group session with ND faculty and the
Advisory Council.
Outcome 2.4:
Alumni will indicate satisfaction with the program. The satisfaction outcomes to be measured
include:
a.
Academic preparation (overall and compared to other recent graduates)
1.
Food service
2.
Food science
3.
Food service management
4.
Clinical nutrition
5.
Nutrition science
6.
Research methods
b.
Employer expectations (ability to meet employer expectations for knowledge and
skills)
Data designed to measure these outcomes were collected in the fall of 2003. The survey instrument
was sent to alumni who had graduated in the past five years as required by the Didactic Program in
Dietetics accrediting agency, the Commission on Dietetic Education of the American Dietetic
Association. An additional survey will be sent in the fall of 2006.
Outcome 2.5:
Graduates will be evaluated as highly competent by dietetic internship preceptors and employers,
where competence includes knowledge and skills in the areas listed in outcome 2.4 that are
applicable to the graduate's position.
Surveys will be sent to a convenience sample of graduates' immediate supervisors within one year of
employment. The survey to be used is currently being developed.
Goal 3:
To provide service to the region and the profession, the ND program and student association will
participate in extracurricular activities and service learning projects.
Outcome 3.1:
100% of students will participate in at least two nutrition-related campus or regional service
activities before graduation.
Faculty responsible for the student association and for ND 340 will keep records of student
participation in campus and regional service activities.
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