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Nutrition and Foods

About the Degree
The B.S. in Nutrition and Foods requires four years of study and the completion of at least 180 credits. The curriculum is designed to provide a sound basis for careers in dietetics and the application of the principles of nutrition and food science to the nutritional care of individuals and groups—such as in school food service or community nutrition—or to provide a sound basis for careers in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The study of the biochemical nature of nutrients and foods, their interaction with the environment, and their eventual metabolic fate is a strong career path for more research-minded students and provides a unique base for graduate study.

About the Nutrition Program
Dietetics is the practical application of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease. Dietetics is an exciting and challenging profession because there are many diseases that are related to nutrition, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

The nutrition program at Drexel University is referred to as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) because we provide classroom training for students who want to become Registered Dietitians. Our Didactic Program in Dietetics is currently granted developmental accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association (ADA -120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606, 800-877-1600 x5400, www.eatright.org). The American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, most of whom are Registered Dietitians.

To become a Registered Dietitian, students must complete a:

• Bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, community nutrition, nutrition education, foodservice systems management, business, and economics.
• An accredited, supervised practice program, also called a dietetic internship, at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation. The internship provides over 900 hours of hands-on training.
• Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

After successfully completing the BS program in Nutrition and all DPD-required courses with a C or better, students will receive a B.S. degree and also a Verification Statement. The Verification Statement is a certificate documenting completion of an approved/accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics. Students need both a Bachelor’s degree and a Verification Statement to start a supervised practice program or internship.

During the senior year, most students will apply for admission into a dietetic internship. Most dietetic internships last 8 to 9 months. To have a good chance of getting accepted into a dietetic internship, students should do the following:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA greater than 3.0 (this includes college courses regardless of where taken).
• Work several hundred hours in dietetics-related work and volunteer experience (especially in the food and nutrition departments at hospitals and nursing homes and in community programs such as WIC).
• Participate in activities that demonstrate leadership.

Mission, Goals, and Outcome Measures
The mission of the Drexel University Didactic Program in Dietetics is to integrate a foundation in the nutrition sciences with courses in the humanities to provide the knowledge, skills, and professional values (such as ethics) needed for successful entry into dietetic internships, graduate school, and/or dietetics employment. The learning environment is structured to allow students opportunities for experiential learning, including co-operative education, participation in research, and use of current technologies.

GOAL 1
To provide quality didactic instruction and learning experiences to prepare graduates to be accepted into dietetic internships and graduate schools, and/or work in the field of dietetics.

1. Students obtain the knowledge, skills, and professional values specified by CADE.
2. On senior program evaluation responses, 90% of the knowledge and skill statements will be selected as competent.
3. 50% of juniors will do co-op.
4. 80% of seniors will participate in a research project.
5. On average, 75% of graduating students will apply to an accredited dietetic internship or graduate school.
6. On average, 75% of students who apply to internships, and 75% who apply to graduate school, are accepted.
7. Of those graduates seeking employment in nutrition and food-related careers, 80% will be employed within 6 months of program completion.
8. On surveys to internship directors, graduate school advisors, and employers, the mean rating of each of 10 learning outcomes will meet or exceed the rating of “3” (satisfactory) or better.
9. On surveys to students 1 year after graduation, the mean rating of each of 10 learning outcomes will meet or exceed the rating of "3" (satisfactory) or better.

GOAL 2
To prepare graduates who are accepted into accredited internship programs to become competent entry-level dietitians.

1. Drexel alumni achieve over a 5-year period a pass rate of at least 80% on the RD exam.
2. On surveys to employers of internship graduates, the mean rating of each of 10 learning outcomes will meet or exceed the rating of “3” (satisfactory) or better.

GOAL 3
Through recruitment efforts, encouragement, motivation, and support, faculty and staff will increase the number of students and the diversity of students who enter and complete the didactic program in dietetics.

1. The number of students registered in 300 and 400 level NFS courses is 12 or higher.
2. At least 10% of juniors and seniors will be from underrepresented groups.
3. At least 90% of the students enrolled in the didactic program in their junior year will complete the program.
4. Senior students indicate on surveys “satisfactory” or better scores with respect to the encouragement and support provided by the program’s academic advisement staff.
5. Senior students rate the overall quality of 90% of their DPD required courses as satisfactory (3) or better.

For more information, visit the College's Nutrition, Food Science and Food Safety web page.