Philosophy & Goals

Philosophy: The philosophy of the Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship Program is to address the intellectual, economic, professional, personal, social and cultural needs of the students and community. The overall mission is to prepare and train dietetic students to achieve the performance requirements of entry-level dietitians and to meet the standards of excellence established by the American Dietetic Association in the most individualized and comprehensive manner possible.

General MS/DI Program Goals: 

1.   Prepare and graduate students who meet the requirements for the Master of Science degree and who are competent entry-level practitioners.

            Outcome measures:

a.   Pass rate of first-time takers of the Registration Exam will be 80% or higher.

b.   Completion of exams in clinical, foodservice management and community rotations with a grade of

      85% or better.

            c.   Maintain rotation grades of 85% or better.

            d.   Based on graduate and employer surveys, the graduate and employers will rate the competency

                 of program graduates at 3 or above.

            e.   Program completion rate will be 90% or better. 

2.   Contribute to the pool of registered dietitians able to practice in diverse,  multidisciplinary  settings.

            Outcome measures:

            a.  Thirty percent of graduates will be working in a variety of practice areas.

b.   Eighty percent or more of graduate respondents will have found the variety of experiences during the

      DI Program prepared them to work in a variety of practice settings. 

3.  Provide the local community with Registered Dietitians.

            Outcome measures:

            a.  Sixty percent of program graduates will work in the five parish area of  Southwest Louisiana.

                        b.  Fifty percent of program graduates will be employed in Louisiana