Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2011-12 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2011-12 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dietetics


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The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Program graduates are eligible to apply for post-graduate internship programs. Graduates must complete the internship and pass the registration examination for dietitians in order to qualify for certification as Registered Dietitian (R.D.). Students apply for admission to internships during the last semester of their senior year. Appointment to internships is competitive. Students are selected on the basis of a variety of criteria including, grade point average (GPA), work experience, and recommendation letters. Successful applicants from this program have had an average GPA of 3.5. After registration, the dietitian is eligible for positions in: hospitals such as clinical dietitian or director of food and nutrition services; commercial food establishments such as restaurants, hotels and industrial facilities; schools, colleges, universities and the armed forces; community health agencies. For more information on career opportunities in dietetics visit www.eatright.org. Admission to the professional component (years 3 and 4) of the DPD is competitive. The admission criteria and application process are described below.

Students applying to the professional component (years 3 and 4) of the DPD must be admitted to Western Michigan University prior to applying to the Dietetics program. Only the Office of Admissions and Orientation grants admission to Western Michigan University for undergraduate students. See the University website at www.wmich.edu.

Minimum Admission Requirements:


  1. Attainment of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Completion of required courses or the equivalent under pre-dietetics with no grade lower than a “C” in any of the following courses: ENGL 1050, BIOS 1120, CHEM 1100/1110, FCS 2600, CHEM 1120/1130. BIOS 2400, BIOS 2320, CHEM 3700/3710.
  3. Completion of the majority  (70%) of WMU general education requirements is strongly suggested prior to applying to the dietetics program.
  4. Completion of a letter of application stating reasons for selecting dietetics as a career and short- and long-term professional goals.

As space is limited, fulfillment of admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

 

Admission Process:


Students may only apply to the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) once a year in the spring semester. Applicants must complete the DPD application and write a letter of application. In addition official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended other than WMU must be submitted along with the application material. Applications will not be reviewed until all application materials have been received. The application deadline is January 15. All applications are reviewed and admission determined by the DPD selection committee, consisting of full-time and part-time DPD faculty. Provisionary admission is made and notifications are sent by February 15. This allows students to register for upcoming fall courses. In order to be officially admitted to the dietetics program all those receiving provisionary admission must successfully complete pre-dietetic courses taken during spring semester. If these courses are taken at an institution other than WMU, students must submit official copies of their transcripts containing their spring semester grades. The committee will review spring semester transcripts, and make final admission decisions. Final admission notifications will be mailed to students by May 15. Students officially admitted to the program must provide a written confirmation of acceptance by June 1. Application forms may be obtained from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Room 3326 Kohrman Hall or from the dietetic web page at http://www.wmich.edu/coe/fcs/dietetics/undergrad.htm.

Applicants should include the following:


  1. A completed DPD application form.
  2. Official transcripts from all Universities and colleges attended other than WMU.
  3. A word-processed letter of application (maximum length 1 1/2 pages in font size 12 and double spaced) stating reasons for selecting dietetics as a career and short- and long-term professional goals.
  4. A non-refundable application fee of $20 (make check payable to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences).
  5. Please place all materials in an envelope and send to the address below.

Note: Students officially admitted to the dietetics program must complete the TB screening and complete a background check. The TB screening can be completed through the Sindecuse Health Center on campus, or through a private physician or clinic. The cost for background checks is $70.00 and can be completed through WMU Public Safety Office. Students will not be allowed to register for courses until the above screening and background checks are completed and results provided to DPD director, Dr. Arezoo Rojhani. In addition all students admitted to the dietetics program must become members of the American Dietetics Association (please visit www.eatright.org for additional information). The cost of becoming a student member of ADA for 2010-2011 was $50.00.

Application materials should be sent to:

Dr. Arezoo Rojhani, Ph.D., R.D.
Associate Professor, DPD Director
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5322

In addition:


Applicants must have completed approximately 70% of University’s General Education Requirements. Note: Some of the required pre-dietetics courses fulfill the General Education Requirements of the University (PLEASE SEE THE RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE FOR THE DIETETICS CURRICULUM). Please schedule a conference with an academic advisor in the College of Education and Human Development’s Advising Office for more information about the University’s General Education and graduation requirements. For more information about the dietetics curriculum, admission to internships, and registration examination, please contact the program director, Dr. Arezoo Rojhani (arezoo.rojhani@wmich.edu).

Dietetics Curriculum Recommended Course Sequence


First Year Pre-Dietetics (courses listed by semester):


Fall semester (15 hours)


  •  General Education   Credits: 4 hours

Spring semester (16 hours)


Second Year Pre-Dietetics (courses listed by semester):


Fall semester (14 hours)


  • General Education   Credits: 3 hours
And either:

Spring semester (15 hours)


  • General Education   Credits: 4 hours

Third Year Dietetics (courses listed by semester):


Fall semester (17 hours)


  • General Education   Credits: 3 hours

Spring semester (16 hours)


  • Elective   Credits: 3 hours

Fourth Year Dietetics (courses listed by semester):


Spring semester (14 hours)


  • Elective   Credits: 3 hours
Credit hour breakdown:

Total Credit Hours for Program:     101 hours
Total Credit Hours for Graduation:     122 hours
Number of weeks in semester excluding examination time:     14 weeks
1 credit = didactic hours/week = 0.83 lecture hours/week (50 minutes)
1 credit = laboratory hours/week = 2.0 laboratory hours/week
 

A minimum of 122 Hours is required for the Dietetics program (DIDJ).


1. General Education Requirements (37 hours)


2. Required Core Courses (46 hours)


Minimum “C” grade required.

3. Required Related Courses (30 hours)


Minimum “C” grade required

5. Electives - As needed for graduation total of 122 hours.


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