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Dietetics Program

 

Accreditation status

Students, who select the Dietetics concentration, are enrolled in the Didactic Program in Dietetics. The Didactic Program in Dietetics at Bradley University has maintained recognition of excellence by the Commission on Dietetics Accreditation (CADE), of the American Dietetic Association (ADA: 1205 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL, 60606-6995; 800/877-1600) since 1966.  All students graduating from this program have been qualified to apply to CADE-accredited Dietetic Internships.  

All Didactic Programs in Dietetics are now required to receive accreditation.  This year, the Dietetics program at Bradley University will undergo its first site visit to become an accredited program, and has currently been granted developmental status.  Students who graduate from this program will continue to receive verification that they comply with all the requirements of CADE, giving them eligibility to apply to CADE-accredited dietetic internships.

Admission requirements

The Dietetics program has the same admissions requirements as for Bradley University.  These can be viewed on Bradley University's Undergraduate Catalog.

American Dietetics Association for students

Leadership opportunities

There are many opportunities to develop leadership potential in the Family Consumer Sciences department and Dietetic program.  Some of the opportunities include:

  • Participation in the Bradley Student Dietetic Association (BSDA), the Hospitality Association (BHA), Kappa Omicron Nu (Family Consumer Sciences Honors Society), and a variety of campus organizations.
  • “Bodyworks” is a nutrition clinic managed by senior Dietetic majors under the Dietetics program director.  Students work with faculty and students to measure body composition and analyze nutrition intakes and give counseling on how to make lifestyle changes.
  • Students have opportunities to participate in health fairs, national nutrition month and the Central Illinois Dietetic Association annual race.

Mission statement of the dietetics program

The dietetics program is committed, through excellence, nurturing and innovative teaching, to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and opportunities for experiential learning to comply with the Foundation Knowledge and Skills requirements of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, to prepare graduates for Dietetic Internships, and competent entry-level professionals who will be leaders in changing and evolving roles in nutrition and dietetics in societal health.

Program costs

Detailed information regarding the cost of obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University may be found in the Bradley University Undergraduate Catalog.  No additional costs are required of students enrolled in the dietetics program.

Dietetics program director 

Dr. Jeannette Davidson, RD, LDN

Family and Consumer Sciences Department  

Bradley University

1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Bradley Hall 15

Peoria , IL  61625

(309) 677-2436/Fax (309) 677-3813

E-mail:   jad@bradley.edu

Program goals of the dietetics program

  1. Program will provide students with appropriate learning opportunities and innovative teaching strategies to comply with the Foundation Knowledge and Skills requirements of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.
  2. Program will prepare students to be successful in obtaining and completing accredited Dietetic Internships, graduate programs or job placements.
  3. Program director and faculty will, through support, encouragement, and motivation, create a nurturing learning environment for student achievement.
  4. Program will provide students with opportunities to develop leadership and scholarly activity.
Outcome measures for the dietetics program include Program retention and completion rates, placement in Dietetic Internships, graduate school and jobs, pass-rate on Registration Examination for Dietitians, and responses on graduate and Internship director surveys.

Dietetic program highlights

Beautiful new facilities have allowed two new courses to be developed in 2006 and labs to be expanded.  Examples are:

  • The Counseling center and observation room: allow students to practice interviewing and counseling skills, to observe other students and to critically assess their own techniques.
  • The Nutrition lab:  equipment such as exercise bikes, instruments to measure body composition, resting energy metabolism, hematocrit, lipid profiles, glucose monitoring, blood pressure, heart rate monitors, and physical assessment, provide students to opportunities to become familiar with current clinical, community and sports nutrition practices.

To become a registered dietitian, you must:

  • Earn a Bachelor of Science degree that includes all requirements of a CADE-accredited Dietetics program, receiving a verification statement from the program director.
  • Complete a CADE-accredited Dietetic internship program after graduation; a national listing of these programs is available from the ADA Web site.   Acceptance into Dietetic internships is competitive and requires students to maintain acceptable grades and accumulate work experience.
  • Pass a national Registration examination for Dietitians, through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Student learning outcomes for the dietetics program

Through a nurturing environment and carefully constructed learning opportunities, graduates from the dietetics program will be empowered to become:

  • Effective communicators
  • Critical thinkers and problem-solvers
  • Skilled providers of nutritional care
  • Competent managers
  • Capable professionals

Verification requirements

Graduates from the Dietetics program who maintain a “C” or better in all FCS courses, will receive a statement from the Dietetics program director that verifies that compliance with all the Foundation Knowledge and Skills requirements of the American Dietetic AssociationVerification statements are mailed out to students once the registrar's office verifies degree completion.  Verification statements are needed to enter CADE-accredited Dietetic internships.