Program Description
Mission Statement
The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics is to prepare students for careers as dietetics professionals who will enhance the quality of life for individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities in the state, region, and nation. The Didactic Program provides the knowledge, skills, and values required for successful entry into a supervised practice program, graduate school, or the job market.
Program Goal 1
To develop and maintain a high quality Didactic Program in Dietetics that prepares students for careers in dietetics and provides the knowledge, skills, and values for post-graduate education.
Institutional Mission Reference
The DPD provides the knowledge, skills, and values required for successful entry into a supervised practice program, graduate school, or the job market.
Outcome Measures
1.1 80% of DPD graduates who have completed supervised practice programs will pass the RD exam on the first attempt
1.2 80% of DPD graduates will be rated as outstanding or above average knowledge of nutrition and food systems, as evaluated by Dietetic Internship Directors.
1.3 75% of DPD graduates will indicate that they have adequate or more than adequate knowledge and skills related to nutrition and food systems to qualify for employment in dietetic and/or to further their education
1.4 90% of graduates applying for a dietetic internship or graduate school will be accepted within 1 year of graduation from the program.
1.5 75% of DPD graduates that do not pursue a dietetic internship will be employed in nutrition or food systems related area within one year of graduation.
Program Goal 2
To prepare students to contribute to the profession and be leaders at local, state, and national levels.
Institutional Mission Reference
To prepare students for careers as dietetic professionals who will enhance the quality of life for individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities in the state, region, and nation.
Outcome Measures
2.1 75% of seniors will assume at least one leadership role during their undergraduate program
2.2 90% of seniors will participate in community service during their undergraduate program
2.3 80% of students will make a presentation at a local meeting, while 15% of students will make a presentation at a regional or national level meeting
Program Goal 3
To develop a community of professionals that supports the needs of Mississippi and the southeast region of the United States.
Institutional Mission Reference
To prepare students for careers as dietetics professionals who will enhance the quality of life in the state, region, and nation.
Outcome Measures
3.1 85% of students completing the DPD will be residents of Mississippi or the Southeast region of the United States
3.2 75% of students who begin the DPD in their junior year will successfully complete the program and receive verification statements
3.3 20% of students completing the DPD will represent diversity within the profession (racial/ethnic minority or male)
Student Learning Objectives
1. Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate dietetic practice-related information, orally and in writing
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct research, present and apply research findings relevant to dietetics practice.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking skills to evaluate problems related to dietetic practice, synthesize relevant data, and identify solutions to problems.
4. Students will understand the role of nutrition in human health, disease prevention, and health promotion in a variety of settings.
5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of food systems, including management principles, financial management, menu planning and production, and food science.
6. Students will demonstrate professional ethics; collaboration, and participate actively in group efforts, demonstrating respect for other people's opinions, feelings, and values.
The Didactic Program in Dietetics at The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) is currently granted Initial Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312.899.5400. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an accredited Dietetic Internship. After completion of an internship, graduates are eligible to write the examination for Registered Dietician (R. D.) status.
Specific application to the Didactic Program is not required; however, students must meet the following academic performance criteria in order to progress through the program. In order to graduate from the program and receive a verification statement, all students must:
Complete all coursework outlined for a degree or verification statement
Complete BSC 250/250L and BSC 251/251L with a "C" or better and NFS 362 with a "B" or better in order to enroll in NFS 320/320L.
Complete all required science courses (CHE 106, CHE 106L, BSC 250, BSC 250L, BSC 251, BSC 251L, CHE 251, CHE 251L, CHE 420) with a "C" or better before enrolling in NFS 485/485L and NFS 410.
Have a grade of "C " or better in all courses in the major area of study in order to graduate and receive a verification statement.
Have a grade of "C " or better in all pre-requisite courses in order to enroll in all subsequent courses.
Many NFS courses have prerequisites. It is important that any prerequisites be completed prior to enrolling in a course. A minimum of 124 hours is required to complete the bachelor of science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Non-degree Students:
Students with a prior bachelor's degree may wish to fulfill requirements for the DPD verification statement only and not receive a second bachelor's degree. A DPD verification statement from The University of Southern Mississippi will be issued to non-degree students if they meet the following requirements:
Have their transcript evaluated by the DPD director to evaluate equivalent coursework.
Successfully complete courses that are equivalent to those used to meet ADA course requirements at Southern Miss. See list below.
Meet all other requirements set forth above for receiving a degree and verification statement.
Foreign students may be issued a verification statement if:
They have undergone transcript evaluation by a credible evaluation service for foreign transcripts.
Their coursework overseas is equivalent to the coursework required by the Southern Miss Didactic Program in Dietetics.
Successfully complete courses that are equivalent to those used to meet ADA course requirements at Southern Miss. See list below.
Meet all other requirements set forth above for receiving a degree and verification statement.
For more information on the Nutrition and Dietetics Undergraduate program, please contact:
Elaine Fontenot Molaison, PhD, LD, RD
Dietetic Internship Director
Nutrition and Food Systems
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive, #5172
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5172
phone: 601.266.6548
e-mail: elaine.molaison@usm.edu