Human Nutrition credits rigorous admissions, curriculum changes, strong teaching
The percentage of students in the Human Nutrition Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) who are passing the exams required to become Registered Dietitians has risen to new heights. Plus, new graduates of the program are in demand for competitive internships.
In autumn 2013, Tonya Orchard, DPD director, and Danielle Musick, dietetics coordinator, led Human Nutrition faculty in
assessing dietetic students’ outcomes, including graduates’ pass rate on the national Registration Examination.
They reported the assessment to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), which determined the Human Nutrition DPD is achieving its educational objectives and meeting accreditation standards through continued program improvement.
“As part of the improvement plan, Human Nutrition faculty began reviewing the dietetics program during Ohio State’s transition to semesters. The review led to changes in curriculum in 2012 and maintenance of competitive admission standards,” Orchard said. The project was led by Anne Smith, who recently retired as DPD director.
Improved pass rates and internships
“The program’s rigorous admissions standards and curriculum changes improved our graduates’ pass rate on the Registration Examination for Dietitians,” added Orchard, assistant professor of human nutrition, Department of Human Sciences. In 2013, 87.5 percent of the DPD’s approximately 35 first-time test takers passed the examination and became registered dietitians.
Also, strong leadership and teaching by Human Nutrition faculty also have made an impact in preparing students for acceptance into competitive dietetic internships, Orchard said. A total of 78 percent of Human Nutrition DPD graduates were matched to dietetic internships in 2013 compared to 50 percent of DPD graduates nationally. The internship is required before a DPD graduate can sit for the exam to become a Registered Dietitian.
Dietetics students go on to careers in healthcare, community health, wellness centers, the food industry and many other venues.
In addition to Orchard, the Human Nutrition faculty members are: Martha Belury, Carol S. Kennedy Professor; Amanda Bird, assistant professor; Josh Bomser, associate professor; Richard Bruno, associate professor; Steven Clinton, professor; Robert DiSilvestro, professor; Ruth Dohner, associate professor; Helen Everts, assistant professor; Carolyn Gunther, assistant professor; Earl Harrison, Distinguished Professor; Irene Hatsu, assistant professor; Sanja Ilic, assistant professor; Carla Miller, professor; and Ouliana Ziouzenkova, associate professor.
