Philosophy, Mission, And Goals

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Department of Food and Nutrition's Dietitian-Nutritionist Program is based on IUP's commitment to higher education and our vision of the characteristics of the professional of the future. The professional of the future will shape the food choices and impact the nutritional status of the public by exhibiting:

• A thorough understanding of food and nutrition theory
• Excellence in the delivery of high-quality programs and services
• The ability to educate the public using food and nutrition theories
• Leadership skills
• Ethical behavior
• Respect for diverse societies and viewpoints
• The ability to collaborate with others
• The ability to manage materials and resources
• Commitment to lifelong learning skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Communication skills
• An ability to adapt to change
• An ability to utilize emerging technology
• A commitment to advocacy for the profession

Mission Statement

The mission of the IUP MS in Food and Nutrition, Dietitian-Nutritionist Program (DNP) is to provide graduates with quality opportunities to acquire knowledge and demonstrate skills essential to become competent registered dietitian-nutritionists (RDN) who advance the profession.

Fulfillment of this mission will support the vision of the IUP DNP, our commitment to prepare graduates who are highly skilled, lifelong learners who meet or exceed entry-level professional competencies.

Program Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes

Program Goal 1

Graduates will practice effectively as entry-level registered dietitian-nutritionists.

1. Program Completion: At least 80 percent of the program students complete certificate program requirements within three years (150 percent of the program length).
2. Graduate Employment: Of graduates who seek employment, 70 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics, or related fields, within 12 months of graduation.
3. Graduate Performance on Registration Exam:
   1. Eighty percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
   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 percent.
4. Over a three-year period, 80 percent of employers who respond to the employer survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" that program graduates are well prepared to practice as entry-level registered dietitian-nutritionists.
5. Over a three-year period, 80 percent of program graduates who respond to the alumni survey within one year of completion will "agree" or "strongly agree" that the program prepared them well to practice as entry-level registered dietitian-nutritionists.
6. Over a three-year period, 80 percent of employers who respond to the employer survey will rate graduates as "satisfactory" or "more than satisfactory" in competencies/learning outcome areas of the DNP.

Program Goal 2

Graduates will use advanced knowledge and skills to elevate evidence-based practice in the profession.

1. Over a three-year period, 80 percent of employers who complete the employer survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" that program graduates are effective in applying evidence-based guidelines to their practice as registered dietitian-nutritionists.
2. Over a three-year period, 80 percent of graduates who complete the alumni survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" they implement evidence-based guidelines in their practices as a registered dietitian-nutritionist.
3. Over a three-year period, 80 percent of program graduates who complete the alumni survey will "agree or "strongly agree" applying evidence-based practice enhances their effectiveness to serve their patients/clients.
4. Over a three-year period, 80 percent of program graduates who complete the alumni survey will "agree" or "strongly agree" applying evidence-based practice advances the profession.

Data relating to program outcomes are available upon request by contacting the DNP director, Jodie Seybold, MS, RDN, LDN at jseybold@iup.edu.