Mission
The University of Maryland Dietetics Program aims to provide a robust academic foundation which emphasizes the sciences, research principles, and outreach services for health, nutrition, and food. This is done through a curriculum that cultivates critical thinking skills and teaching that upholds the value of diversity and inclusion. Graduates are highly skilled and competent for supervised practice and/or graduate study leading to eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
Program Goals and Objectives
Program Goal 1: To prepare graduates for successful acceptance into an accredited supervised practice program (e.g. dietetic internships, individualized supervised practice pathways, Future Education graduate programs), graduate education, and/or entry level professional positions requiring foods and/or nutrition expertise.
Program Objectives for Goal 1:
- At least 80% of program students complete the program/degree requirements within 3 years (150% of program length).
- At least 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
- Of program graduates who apply to a supervised practice program, at 60% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
Program Goal 2:
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Graduates will exhibit high quality knowledge, skills, and professionalism necessary to succeed in diverse and inclusive environment at accredited supervised practice program (e.g. dietetic internships, individualized supervised practice pathways, Future Education graduate programs), graduate education, and/or nutrition and dietetics professions.
Program Objectives for Goal 2: - 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%.
- 85% of supervised practice, graduate program directors, or employers responding to a survey will report ≥ 2.5 or better (on a scale of 1-5, poor to exceptional) on all items when asked how UMD DPD coursework and advising prepared our graduates for a career in nutrition and dietetics.
- Over a 3-year period, 90% of graduates who enter supervised practice programs and/or graduate programs, or entry level professional positions indicate that their DPD program prepared them to successfully meet the demands of that program/position.
