Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) offered by the Department of Nutrition and Health (DNH), College of Medicine and Health Sciences aims to prepare graduates who are competent entry-level dietitians. The program's mission is to prepare competent graduates who are highly qualified entry-level dietitians, to improve the nutritional well-being and health of the UAE population. The program goals are (1) to prepare graduates to be competent, entry-level dietitians and (2) to prepare graduates who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to community service. The CPD at UAEU is accredited as a Foreign Dietitian Education Program (FDE) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1(312) 899-0040 ext. 5400; website:(http://www.eatright.org/ACEND/). The program prepares students to achieve the ACEND Core Knowledge and Competencies for an entry-level dietitian through academic courses and 750 hours of supervised practice experience which includes 550 hours of supervised practice rotations in various training facilities. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023.
Program Objectives
- Goal # 1 Objectives:
- a. 85% of students will complete the program requirements within 3.75 years from the time of enrollment in the CPD (150% of the time allowed)
- b. At least 60% of graduates seeking employment will have obtained employment related to their major within 12 months of completing the program.
- c. The Health Authorities in the UAE requires graduates of UAEU’s Coordinated Program in Dietetics to complete an additional six-month practicum before being eligible to sit for the credentialing examination. 80% of graduates will take the UAE credentialing exam within twelve months of completing this practicum.
- d. The Regulatory Health Authorities in the UAE require dietetics graduates to pass a licensing exam administered by the Department of Health- Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Health and Prevention or Dubai Health Authority. Over a 5-year period, 80% of graduates will pass the dietitian-licensing exam (Department of Health – Abu Dhabi or its equivalent) within one year following first attempt.
- e. At least 85% of employers responding to surveys on a scale of 1-5 (5=excellent) will rate graduates as 3 (satisfactory) or better for knowledge, skills and competencies for entry-level practice.
- f. At least 60% of the program graduates seeking employment will find a position in a clinical setting.
- Goal #2 Objectives:
- a. At least 50% of graduates will indicate on the alumni survey that they actively participate in community service activities during the past year.
- b. Over a 5-year period, 60% of graduates will be active members of professional associations within 12 months post-graduation.
- c. Over a 3-year period, at least 80% of employers responding to surveys on a scale of 1-5 (5=excellent) will rate graduates as 3 (satisfactory) or better for demonstration of leadership skills.
- Outcomes of the program objectives:
- Outcome data measuring achievement of program objectives are available on request.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Explain the scientific basis of human nutrition and nutrition requirements in health and disease
- Apply principles of medical nutrition therapy and the nutrition care process (NCP) using evidence-based guidelines in a variety of clinical settings.
- Conduct a nutrition research project using appropriate research methods.
- Demonstrate leadership skills, time management, work ethics and collaborative relationships with other health professionals and support personnel to deliver effective nutrition services.
- Apply activities related to planning, implementing and evaluating nutrition services to improve nutrition and health of individuals, groups and communities.
- Perform self-assessment for professional self-improvement by identifying knowledge and skills to acquire.
- Perform management functions related to safety, security and sanitation that affect employees, customers, patients, facilities and food.
Degree Requirements
Required Credit Hours :
minimum 120 hours
General Education (Req. CH:33)
Cluster 1: Skills for the Future (Req. Ch:15)
Area 5: Quantitative Reasoning (3 hours
)
| Credit Hours |
---|
MATH105 | Calculus I 1 | 3 |
1 : Also counts towards the Major |
Cluster 2: The Human Community (Req. Ch:12)
Cluster 3: The Natural World (Req. Ch: 6)
Area 1: Natural Sciences (3 hours
)
| Credit Hours |
---|
BIOC100 | Basic Biology I 4 | 3 |
4 : Also counts towards the Major |
Coordinated Program in Dietetics
Free Electives (6 hours
)
| Credit Hours |
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