DP Information
Human Nutrition and Dietetics Degree – Additional DP (Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics) Information
Mission
The mission of the DP at the University of Maine is to give professional preparation to students who wish to become registered dietitians, and to foster development of personal attributes and skills to enable students to pursue a broad range of job opportunities in dietetics and associated fields.
Accreditation
The University of Maine’s Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. www.eatright.org/ACEND
Program Goals and Objectives
Goal #1 – Graduates will be prepared for entrance into dietetic internships, graduate school, or employment.
- Over a 5-year period, at least 50% of those applying for dietetic internships within 12 months of graduation will be accepted.
- Over a 5-year period, at least 50% of DP graduates will apply for dietetic internships within 12 months of graduation.
- Over a 5-year period, graduates who do not match with dietetic internships and seek a graduate degree, will be successful in getting into graduate school at least 90% of the time they apply.
- Over a 5-year period, 80% of DP graduates who apply for jobs related to nutrition will be employed within 12 months of program completion.
- Over a 5-year period, surveys of program graduates will indicate that they felt the curriculum prepared them adequately for dietetic internships, graduate school, or employment.
- Over a 5-year period, surveys of dietetic internship directors, while the UMaine DP graduate is in their program, will indicate that the preparation of the student is at least average (minimum score 6) compared with other students.
Goal #2 – Graduates will be provided with broad training in food, nutrition and the basic sciences so that, with achievement of the appropriate credentials, they will be able to pursue a wide-range of job opportunities related to nutrition.
- Over a 5-year period, at least 80% of students enrolled in third-year DP classes will graduate within 150% of the planned time for program completion (3 years).
- The five-year average of the pass rate for first-time test takers on the registration examination will be greater than 80% among program graduates.
Data on program outcomes is available upon request.
Student Learning Objectives
Ongoing assessment of learning activities to attain core knowledge for the RD is done in accordance with the standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). General categories for Learning Objectives are:
- Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: integration of scientific information and research into practice
- Professional Practice Expectations: beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the professional dietitian level of practice.
- Clinical and Customer Services: development and delivery of information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations
- Practice Management and Use of Resources: strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations
- Support Knowledge: knowledge underlying the requirements specified above
A complete list of Core Knowledge requirements is available at the web site of ACEND, in the document entitled “Accreditation Standards for Didactic Programs in Nutrition and Dietetics (DP)”, Appendix A.
Cost to Students
Information on costs associated with the undergraduate program at the University of Maine is available at the Admissions web site.
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar is available at the University of Maine web site.
Graduation and DP Completion Requirements
Graduation requirements for the BS degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics are outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog. Graduation requirements are fixed at the time the student enters the program, and may vary slightly between years. A grade of C or better is required in all required FSN courses taken. DPD verification statements are issued to students meeting the graduate requirements for the Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration.
Non-degree students may also receive a DP verification statement if they have completed a bachelor’s degree, have successfully completed courses equivalent to the DP courses at the University of Maine, have taken at least 30 credits of coursework from in the area of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine, and have earned a C or better in all required FSN courses or equivalents.
Becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD)
After completion of the BS degree with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, students are eligible to complete a supervised practice experience (dietetic internship), the second step toward becoming a registered dietitian (RD). The application process begins early in the senior year, with selection of the dietetic internship programs to which the student wishes to apply. A centralized, online application, including online submission of references, is used by most programs. Information on the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) is available online. Applicants must also participate in the computer match through the D&D Digital company. Since the process of gaining acceptance into a dietetic internship is competitive, students are encouraged to prepare for applying throughout their time in the undergraduate program. The third and final step in becoming an RD (after completing the internship) is to take the registration examination for dietitians. Information on the RD exam can be found at https://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/registration-examination-for-dietitians. Current registration by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics entitles dietitians to apply for licensure in the State of Maine.