Dietetics Mission and Goals

The University of Illinois Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) will provide high quality, innovative food, and nutrition education along with the necessary communication skills to prepare students for supervised practice, leading to eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam, which will enable them to become registered dietitian nutritionists, and become leaders in the field promoting healthy food and nutrition practices across the United States and globally.

This is compatible with the overall goal of the department's mission: to implement education, research and outreach programs designed to provide a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply that enhances human health; and the mission of the College of ACES: to enhance the quality of life for people and communities through teaching, research and outreach programs focused on human activity, food, fiber, and natural resource systems.

Learn more

no image available

2019-2021 Program Goals, Objectives, and Actual Outcomes

A)  Goal #1– To prepare program graduates to be competent future entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

 

B) Objectives

 

C)   Data Needed for Evaluation and Data Source

D) Evaluation Method(s) for Collected Data
 

E)  Individual(s) Responsible for Ensuring Data Is Collected
 

F) Timeframe for Collecting Data

(When is data collected?)
 

G) Actual
Outcomes

1. At least 80% of program graduates complete the DPD within 6 years undergraduates and 3 years for graduate students (150% of program length).

Graduation records from the College of ACES Office of Academic Programs

Review graduation records

Program Director

Annually each May

2019-2021: 51/51 (100%)

2020-2022:

2.  50% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

D & D Digital Data and student report

Review D & D Digital Data results and get reports from students

Program Director

Annually each April

2019-2021: 32/51 (63%)

2020-2022:

3.   40% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation. 

D & D Digital Data and student report

Review D & D Digital Data results and get reports from students

Program Director

Annually each April

2019-2021:  32/51 (63%))

2020-2022:

4. 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%.

Pearson Vue Data for CDR Exam

Review Pearson Vue Pass Rate Summary Reports

Program Director

Annually each spring and fall

2019-2021: 14/15 (93%) 

5. 90% of program graduates will have an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0.

Transcripts from the Undergraduate Records Program

Review transcript records

Program Director

Annually each May

2019-2021: 50/51 (98%)

2019-2022:

6.  90% of program graduates will have dietetics work experience.

Dietetics Work Experience Surveys from the students

Review results of dietetics work experience surveys

Program Director

Annually each October

2019-2021: 51/51 (100%)

2020-2022:

7.   80% of program graduates have obtained the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential within 48 months of graduation. 

Alumni Survey Data

Review Alumni Survey Data results

Program Director

Annually each June

2019-2021:  41/51 (80%)

2020-2022:

 

 

 

A)  Goal #2 – To provide program graduates with a strong foundation in the basic sciences, research and application of nutrition, food science and management areas to prepare them for supervised practice and graduate school.

 

B) Objectives
 

C)  Data Needed for Evaluation and Data Source

D) Evaluation Method(s) for Collecting Data
 

E)  Individual(s) Responsible for Ensuring Data Is Collected
 

F) Timeframe for Collecting Data

 

G) Actual
Outcomes
 

8.  90% of Supervised Practice Program Directors will rate program graduates as satisfactory or more than satisfactory with graduate’s preparation for supervised practice.

Dietetic Internship Director Survey Data

Supervised Practice Program Director Survey Data results

Program Director

Annually each May

2019-2021: 18/18 (100%)

2020-2022:

9.  90% of dietetics work experience supervisors will rate program graduates as satisfactory or more than satisfactory.

Dietetics Work Experience Supervisor Survey Data

Dietetics Work Experience Supervisor Survey data results

Program Director

Annually each January

2019-2021: 74/76 (97%)

2020-2022:

10. 80% of program graduates will demonstrate the ability to integrate course material and apply it in a practice setting.

Dietetic Internship Director Survey Data

Supervised Practice Program Director Survey & Alumni Survey Data results

Program Director

Annually each May

2019-2021: 18/18 (100%)

2020-2022:

11.  80% of program graduates will rate the DPD program as meeting their needs for supervised practice or graduate school. 

Graduating Student & Alumni Survey Data

Graduating Student & Alumni Survey Data results

Program Director

Annually each May

2019-2021: 135/137 (99%)

2020-2022:

A)  Goal #3 – To prepare program graduates to become future registered dietitian nutritionists and leaders in the field with a high level of professionalism. 

 

B) Objectives
 

C)  Data Needed for Evaluation and Data Source

D) Evaluation Method(s) for Collecting Data
 

E)  Individual(s) Responsible for Ensuring Data Is Collected
 

F) Timeframe for Collecting Data

 

G) Actual
Outcomes
 

12. 90% of Dietetics work experience supervisors and Supervised Practice Program Directors will rate program graduates’ leadership abilities as satisfactory or more than satisfactory.

Dietetics Work Experience Survey & Supervised Practice Program Director Survey Data

Dietetics Work Experience Surveys and Supervised Practice Program Director Survey Data results

Program Director

Annually January and each May

2019-2021: 93/94 (99%)

2020-2022:

13. 90% of Dietetics work experience supervisors and Supervised Practice Program Directors will rate program graduates as having a high level of professionalism. 

Dietetics Work Experience Supervisor & Supervised Practice Program Director Surveys

Dietetics Work Experience Surveys and Supervised Practice Program Director Survey data results

Program Director

Annually each January and May

2019-2021: 93/94 (98%)

2020-2022:

14.  50% of program graduates will have obtained or be in the process of obtaining a graduate degree or a board certified specialist credential.

Alumni Surveys

Alumni Survey data results

Program Director

Annually each May

2019-2021: 126/147 (86%)

2020-2022:

15. 50% of program graduates will currently hold or have previously held a leadership position within their place of employment or within a professional organization related to dietetics, food, management or nutritional sciences.

Alumni Surveys

Alumni Survey data results

Program Director

Annually each May

2019-2021: 82/147 (56%)

2020-2022:

 

 

2014-2019 Program Goals, Objectives, and Actual Outcomes

A)  Goal #1– To prepare program graduates to be competent future entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists.

 

B) Objectives

 

C)   Data Needed for Evaluation and Data Source

D) Evaluation Method(s) for Collected Data
 

E)  Individual(s) Responsible for Ensuring Data Is Collected
 

F) Timeframe for Collecting Data

(When is data collected?)
 

G) Actual
Outcomes

1.  At least 95% of students complete the DPD in 150% time (6 years undergraduates, 3 years for graduate students).

Graduation records from the College of ACES Office of Academic Programs

Review graduation records

Program Director

Annually each May

2014-2016: 70/70 (100%)
2015-2017: 72/72 (100%)
2016-2018: 75/75 (100%)
2018-2019: 65/65 (100%)

2.  90% of graduates will have an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0.

Transcripts from the Undergraduate Records Program

Review D & D Digital Data results and get reports from students

Program Director

Annually each May

2014-2016: 69/70 (99%)
2015-2017: 72/72 (100%)
2016-2018: 72/75 (96%)
2017-2019: 64/65 (98%)

3.   50% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

D & D Digital Data and student report

Review D & D Digital Data results and get reports from students

Program Director

Annually each April

2014-2016: 54/70 (77%)
2015-2017: 55/72 (76%)
2016-2018: 61/75 (81%)
2017-2019: 55/65 (85%)

4. 40% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.

D & D Digital Data and student report

Review D & D Digital Data results and get reports from students

Program Director

Annually each April

2014-2016: 54/70 (77%)
2015-2017: 55/72 (76%)
2016-2018: 61/75 (81%)
2017-2019: 55/65 (85%)

5.  85% of program graduates are working as RDNs or continuing their education in graduate school.

Alumni Survey Data

Review Alumni Survey Data results.  ***Based on Survey Responses from All Past Alumni that responded to the Surveys 

Program Director

Annually each June

2014-2016: 77/78 (99%)
2015-2017: 82/85 (96%)
2016-2018: 84/93 (90%)
2017-2019: 124/139 (89%)

6.  90% of program graduates will have dietetics work experience.

Dietetics Work Experience Surveys from the students

Review results of dietetics work experience surveys

Program Director

Annually each October

2014-2016: 70/70 (100%)
2015-2017: 72/72 (100%)
2016-2018: 75/75 (100%)
2018-2019: 65/65 (100%)

7.  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%. 

Pearson Vue Data for CDR Exam

Review Pearson Vue Pass Rate Summary Reports

Program Director

Annually each spring and fall

2014-2016: 48/48 (100%)
2015-2017: 51/51 (100%)
2016-2018: 48/48 (100%)
2017-2019: 41/42 (98%)

 

 

A)  Goal #2 – To provide students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences, research and application of nutrition, food science and management areas to prepare them for supervised practice and graduate school.

 

B) Objectives
 

C)  Data Needed for Evaluation and Data Source

D) Evaluation Method(s) for Collecting Data
 

E)  Individual(s) Responsible for Ensuring Data Is Collected
 

F) Timeframe for Collecting Data

 

G) Actual
Outcomes
 

8.  80% of program graduates will demonstrate the ability to integrate course material and apply it in a practice setting.

Dietetic Internship Director Survey Data

Dietetic Internship Director results
***Based on Survey Responses from DI Directors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually each May

2014-2016: 29/29 (100%)
2015-2017: 28/28 (100%)
2016-2018: 24/24 (100%)
2017-2019: 32/34 (95%)

9.   80% of program graduates will rate program as meeting their needs for supervised practice or graduate school.

Alumni Surveys

Alumni Srvey data results ***Based on Survey Responses from DI Directors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually each May

2014-2016: 78/78 (100%)
2015-2017: 116/116 (100%)
2016-2018: 124/124 (100%)
2017-2019: 139/139 (100%)

10.  90% of dietetics work experience supervisors will rate program students as satisfactory or more than satisfactory.

Dietetics Work Experience Supervisor Surveys

Dietetics Work Experience Supervisor Survey data results
***Based on Survey Responses from Supervisors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually each January

2014-2016: 84/86 (98%)
2015-2017: 85/89 (96%)
2016-2018: 102/105 (97%)
2017-2019: 105/112 (94%)

11.  90% of DI Directors will rate program graduates as satisfactory or more than satisfactory with graduate’s preparation for supervised practice.

Dietetic Internship Director Survey

Dietetic Internship Director Survey Data results.  ***Based on Survey Responses from DI Directors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually each May

2014-2016: 29/29 (100%)
2015-2017: 28/28 (100%)
2016-2018: 24/24 (100%)
2017-2019: 34/34 (100%)

A)  Goal #3 – To prepare program graduates to become future registered dietitian nutritionists and leaders in the field with a high level of professionalism. 

 

B) Objectives
 

C)  Data Needed for Evaluation and Data Source

D) Evaluation Method(s) for Collecting Data
 

E)  Individual(s) Responsible for Ensuring Data Is Collected
 

F) Timeframe for Collecting Data

 

G) Actual
Outcomes
 

12. 90% of Dietetics work experience supervisors and Supervised Practice Program Directors will rate program graduates’ leadership abilities as satisfactory or more than satisfactory.

Dietetic Internship Director Survey Data

Dietetics Work Experience Surveys and Dietetic Internship Director Survey Data results
***Based on Survey Responses from DI Directors and Work Supervisors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually January and each May

2014-2016: 109/115 (95%)
2015-2017: 107/117 (92%)

13. 90% of Dietetics work experience supervisors and DI Directors will rate students or program graduates as having a high level of professionalism. 

Dietetics Work Experience Supervisor Surveys

Dietetics Work Experience Surveys and Supervised Practice Program Director Survey data results ***Based on Survey Responses from DI Directors and Work Supervisors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually each January and May

2014-2016: 83/86 (97%)
2015-2017: 85/89 (96%)
2016-2018: 102/105 (97%)
2017-2019: 132/146 (91%)

14.  50% of program graduates will have obtained or be in the process of obtaining a graduate degree or a board certified specialist credential.

Alumni Surveys

Alumni Survey data results ***Based on Survey Responses from DI Directors and Work Supervisors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually each May

2014-2016: 64/78 (82%)
2015-2017: 89/116 (77%)
2016-2018: 93/124 (75%)
2017-2019: 112 /149 (76%)

15. 50% of program graduates will currently hold or have previously held a leadership position within their place of employment or within a professional organization related to dietetics, food, management or nutritional sciences.

Alumni Surveys

Alumni Survey data results ***Based on Survey Responses from DI Directors and Work Supervisors that responded to the Surveys

Program Director

Annually each May

2014-2016: 53/74 (72%)
2015-2017: 81/116 (70%)
2016-2018: 87/124 (70%)
2017-2019: 101/149 (68%)

Further outcome data for the Didactic Program in Dietetics are available upon request. To request data, please send a request to Dr. Justine Karduck at karduck@illinois.edu.

Updated July 2020