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Accredited as a Didactic Program in Dietetics by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) of .

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics ( ACEND®), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' accrediting agency for education programs preparing ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) or dietetic technicians, registered (DTR).

ACEND® serves and protects ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs.

ACEND® is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a Title IV gatekeeper. This recognition affirms that ACEND® meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs.

For more information, you can mail ACEND® at:

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000

Chicago, IL 60606-6995

312.899.0400 ext. 5400

Additional information can be found at

The DPD supports the missions of St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University, the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health and the Nutrition and Exercise Sciences Department and strives to prepare women for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. The program strives to develop competent, ethical leaders in dietetics who embrace social responsibility, lifelong learning, and professional excellence.  

Program Goal 1

The Didactic Program provides a well-balanced curriculum grounded in the liberal arts that prepares graduates to meet program requirements for a baccalaureate degree and who are eligible to become successful RDs/RDNs, to complete graduate education, or to obtain related employment.

Objectives for Goal 1

Program Completion Rate:

1. At least 80 percent of the program ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s must complete program/degree requirements within 150% of the time planned for completion (6 years with planned program length of 4 years).
2. Over a 5-year period, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s who complete their LinkedIn profile will have an average score of 4.0 (on 5.0 scale) on the Senior LinkedIn Page Rubric.

Employment and Supervised Practice Program Application/Acceptance Rate:

1. 50 percent of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
2. 70 percent of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
3. Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months.

Exam Pass Rate:

1. The program’s one-year pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80 percent.
2. The program’s first-time pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80 percent.

Program Satisfaction Ratings:

1. 90 percent of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s graduating who complete the survey will rate themselves as mostly-prepared (an average of 4.0 on 5.0 scale) in content areas on the Graduation Survey.
2. 80 percent of supervised practice program directors that return survey state graduates are competent and well-prepared and rate graduates at an average of 4.0 (on 5.0 scale) in content areas on the Dietetic Internship Director’s Survey.

Program Goal 2

In accordance with missions of St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University, the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health, and the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, the Didactic Program in Dietetics prepares graduates to be critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and ethical leaders in their professional careers and in the organizations to which they belong.

Objectives for Goal 2:

Critical Thinking:

1. Over a 5-year period, 90 percent of graduating seniors who respond to the Graduation Survey will write 1-3-year professional development goals.
2. Over a 5-year period, directors who respond to the Dietetic Internship Director’s Survey will rate ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s with an average score of 4.0 (on 5.0 scale) on the survey’s assessment of critical thinking skills.
3. Over a 5-year period, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s who respond to the 1-5 Year Graduate Survey will have an average score of 4.0 (on 5.0 scale) on self-assessment of critical thinking skills.

Lifelong Learning:

1. Over a 5-year period, 75 percent of graduates who respond to the 1-5 Year Graduate Survey will write 1-3 year professional development goals.
2. Over a 5-year period, 75 percent of graduates who respond to the 1-5 Year Graduate Survey will report they are members of a professional organization.
3. Over a 5-year period, 75 percent of graduates who respond to the 1-5 Year Graduate Survey will report participation in lifelong learning as evidenced by having completed an advanced degree, specialty certification, participation in continuing education, conferences/workshops/classes or other avenues.

Ethical Leadership:

Over a five year period 60% of graduates who respond to the 3–5 Year Graduate Survey will document a leadership role in a professional or community organization.