Dietetics Graduate Program - Master of Public Health

Shape the Future of Nutrition and Wellness

Advance your career with a degree that blends cutting-edge research, practical experience, and leadership in public health and dietetics. Empower communities, promote healthy living, and make a lasting impact on global health challenges.

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Accreditation is a Mark of Excellence:

The Dietetics GP MPH Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

The accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with Supervised Experiential Learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.

The Graduate Program associated with this dietetics track is the Master of Public Health.  

• Dietetics GP Curriculum is located here
• Dietetics GP Student Handbook is located here
   

ACEND can be contacted by: 

Email: ACEND@eatright.org

Phone: 888/877-1600, ext. 5400

Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago IL, 60606-6995

Website: eatrighpro.org/acend

"Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited GP at The University of Akron are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.” Commission on Dietetic Registration."

Process For Filing Program Complaints: 

Information is located in the Dietetics GP MPH Student Handbook

Contact Information: Program Director:

Leann Schaeffer, PhD, LD, RD
Phone: 330-972-6046
Email: ls60@uakron.edu
College of Health and Human Sciences
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Schrank Hall South 210P
240 Carroll Street
Akron, OH 44325-6102

Program Mission Statement:

Graduates of the Dietetics GP MPH will be prepared as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists for future practice in the field of nutrition and dietetics with attitudes, understandings, and skills that will allow them to analyze critically and meet the diverse needs of individuals and/or society. The program provides graduates with the knowledge and tools to develop skills necessary to develop into leaders in the field and to translate and apply the science of food and nutrition to health.

Program Goals and Objectives:

Program Goal 1:

Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to practice as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

OBJECTIVES:

1. “At least 80% of program graduates complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length)”.
2.  “Of graduates who seek employment, 75% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation”.
3. The program will achieve a 75% employer satisfaction with graduate preparation for entry-level practice within one year of employment via survey using a 5-point Likert Scale with the opportunity to provide rationale for any responses not posted as the highest score. Employer satisfaction will be a rating of 4 or 5 on the Likert Scale.
4. Registration Exam:
   1. ”80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion”.
5. The program will achieve a 75% graduate satisfaction with graduate preparation for entry-level practice within one year of graduation via survey using a 5-point Likert Scale with the opportunity to provide rationale for any responses not posted as the highest score. Graduate satisfaction will be a rating of 4 or 5 on the Likert Scale.

Program Goal 2:

Prepare graduates who participate in inter-professional practice and apply an evidence-based approach to practice.

OBJECTIVES:

1. During the first year of employment, 50% of those graduates who respond to our graduate survey will report participating in inter-professional practice activities.
2. During the first year of employment, 50% of those graduates responding to the graduate survey will report how they routinely use current evidenced-based research in professional practice.

Program goals and objectives can be found in the Dietetics GP Student Handbook

Program Outcome Data:

Program outcome data are available by request of the Program Director at ls60@uakron.edu

Dietetics Graduate Program Requirements:

• Hold B.S. in Dietetics or Bachelors in another field - students holding a non-dietetic or nutrition undergraduate degree should see below for application and admission requirements.
• Completion of prerequisite courses as required for non-dietetic majors.   
  • Applying as a Post-baccalaureate Student click here  
  • Students graduating from the Food and Environmental Nutrition Program will have met all prerequisite courses.  

• Complete required Supervised Experiential Learning
• Assessment of prior learning see Dietetics GP Student Handbook

To Become a Registered Dietitian:

Information on becoming a Registered Dietitian can be found here:  

Procedure for Applying to the Program:

The student will complete and submit the application to the Graduate School by the due date posted on the Graduate School web site.  Graduate School Application Process

• The application will be reviewed and scored by the selection committee.
• The applicant will participate in the interview process, which will be scored and become part of the total application score.

POLICIES FOR ASSESSING PRIOR LEARNING OR COMPETENCE:

The student should review the competency statements for the program to determine their level of expertise and fulfillment of the required competency. They can review their information with the Program Director prior to submission.

• If the overall score of the application means acceptance to the program, the documentation submitted for waiver of supervised practice shall then be reviewed.

See the Dietetics GP Student Handbook for application and admission requirements

Professional Licensure Disclosure:

In most states, including Ohio graduates must also obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here: 

http://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap 

It is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program is designed to and does meet all state dietetics licensure and certification laws as some states may interpret their statutes differently.

Cost to Student:

University graduate tuition information can be found here:

Tuition and University Fees for the Dietetics GP MPH Program can be found here

Estimated costs for the Dietetics GP can be found in the Dietetics GP Student Handbook.

Academic and Program Calendar:

The academic calendar is posted on the University webpage here: 

http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/dates/acadcal.dot 

The program calendar follows the University academic calendar for academics, vacations, and holidays. If a student needs a leave of absence from the program, they must meet with the Program Director.

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements:

The Academic Program Agreement for GP MPH students includes courses established to meet the ACEND Accreditation Standards. Verification Statements are issued to program graduates by the Program Director. Students graduating from the GP MPH must obtain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all coursework and a B or better in all Supervised Experiential Learning courses in order to earn a Verification Statement which indicates successful completion of required courses and Supervised Experiential Learning. 

Upon successful completion of the GP MPH the Program Director will submit verification data to the Commission on Dietetic Registration with each graduate’s current information. After the candidates are approved by CDR, an Authorization to Test letter with information on how to schedule the RD exam will be sent to the candidate.

Financial Aid and Loan Deferments, Scholarships, Stipends and Other Monetary Support:

The university offers financial assistance to students in the form of financial aid, and scholarships. Information can be found at the Office of Student Financial Aid website. 

https://www.uakron.edu/finaid/ 

College specific scholarship information is available on the College of Health and Human Sciences website.

https://www.uakron.edu/health/ssc/scholarships.dot 

 Nutrition specific scholarship information is available on the school Brightspace page. 

Requirements and Expectations Related to Distance Education:

Students are not required to locate their own Supervised Experiential Learning (SEL) sites and/or preceptors.  

Students will select a favored Supervised Experiential Learning site, a new Supervised Experiential Learning site, or an area of practice where they feel more experience would be favorable. If students encounter difficulties obtaining a Supervised Experiential Learning site, or live outside of the Akron, OH area, faculty are available for assistance.

DISTANCE INSTRUCTION & ONLINE TESTING:

The faculty member in charge of the SEL rotation will locate sights and/or preceptors according to student preference.

If a student lives out of the Akron, OH area the same process is followed:

• The courses with examinations will use the Respondus-Lockdown Browser which is accessible on Brightspace. Each student will have their picture on the website which will allow the faculty member for the course to compare the person taking the examination to the student picture on the website to ensure the student is taking the examination.
• All students provide a picture of their driver’s license or official identification card from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
• All students record a short introductory video at orientation which will be accessible by all faculty and students in the program.
• Required Technologies and Technology Skills:
  • Students must have access to a computer capable of handling Brightspace and Canvas Learning Platforms. These are free of charge to all students.
  • Students will be expected to upload papers, listen to streaming excerpts, and take quizzes and exams.
  • Assignments may be submitted in the following formats only: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PDF unless instructed differently by a faculty member.
  • Use a mouse or keyboard to navigate online content.
  • Type all assignments.
  • Create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
  • Open, minimize, and close computer applications.
  • Participate in online discussion boards.
  • Participate in online chat rooms.
  • Identify, open, and create common file formats such as .doc, .docx, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, or .txt. The university provides a Google Apps account to all students, and Google Apps can be used to create files in these file types.
  • Use appropriate plug-ins when required.
  • Have a working knowledge of Outlook, Teams, Panopto are expected in all courses.
  • The computer must have a camera.
  • If you encounter technical difficulties, please call IT at 330-972-6888.

Distance instruction and online testing information is located in the Dietetics GP Student Handbook.  

Student Support Services:

The university offers multiple support services free of charge for all students.  Click here for more information.

All available services are also located on each course syllabi.

Contact Information for Program Guidance:

Program Director:
Leann Schaeffer PhD, RD, LD
Phone: 330-972-6046
Email: ls60@uakron.edu