Mission, Goals, and Objectives

The mission of the UC Davis DPD is to prepare students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists and for graduate study in nutrition or related fields. The program prepares highly trained nutrition scholars for positions of leadership in health care, education, government, community health and professional organizations. The program is dedicated to excellence in advancing nutrition knowledge, fostering principles of life-long learning, and service to people and society.

The goals of the program are:

Program Goal 1: The program will prepare graduates to contribute to meeting the nutrition, food, and health needs of society through a high-quality and broad-based education.

Objectives:

1.1 – Over a 3-year period, 95% of Clinical Nutrition majors will be eligible to receive a Verification Statement.

1.2 – Over a 3-year period, at least 80% of program graduates complete the program/degree requirements within 3 years of achieving junior status (150% of the program length). 

1.3 – Over a 3-year period, 50% or more of graduates not continuing their education immediately after graduation are employed in positions related to foods, nutrition or the natural sciences.

1.4 – Over a 3-year period, 50% of program graduates continue their education immediately past graduation by enrolling in either a DI program, graduate or professional school.

Program Goal 2:  Graduates will use their strong background in metabolism, normal, clinical, and community nutrition, nutrition education, and food service management to critically think and problem solve during supervised practice to become registered dietitian nutritionists and for graduate study in nutrition or related fields.

Objectives:

2.1 – Over a 3-year period, 40% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.

2.2 – Over a 3-year period, 50% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.

2.3 – Over a 3-year period, 80% of Alumni Survey respondents rate themselves as prepared, well prepared or very well prepared in the 10 curriculum content areas.

2.4 – Over a 3-year period, 80% of Supervised Practice Program Director Survey respondents rate program graduates as prepared, well prepared or very well prepared in the 10 curriculum content areas.

2.5 – Over a 3-year period 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%.

2.6 – Over a 3-year period, 80% of Program Alumni Survey respondents agree or strongly agree that they are well prepared in 8 professional characteristic areas.

2.7 – Over a 3-year period, 80% of Supervised Practice Program Director Survey respondents agree or strongly agree that program graduates exhibit 8 professional characteristics.

Program outcomes data is available upon request.