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Dec 17, 2024
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Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18 [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 Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook (2014), “Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 21 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. The role of food in preventing and treating illnesses, such as diabetes, is now well known. More dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for patients with various chronic medical conditions and to advise people who want to improve their overall health.”
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 or after graduation. Appointment to internships is competitive. Students are selected on the basis of a variety of criteria including, grade point average (GPA), work and volunteer experience, and recommendation letters. Most dietetic internships require that applicants have a GPA of at least 3.0. 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.
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.
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Admission Requirements:
All students are initially admitted to the pre-dietetics program. They apply for admission to the professional component of the dietetics program (years 3 and 4) once all required pre-dietetics courses have been completed. The admission criteria and application procedures are described below.
Transfer 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 Admission and Orientation grants admission to Western Michigan University for undergraduate students. See the University website at www.wmich.edu.
Minimum Admission Requirements
- Attainment of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- 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.
- Completion of the majority (70%) of WMU general education requirements is strongly suggested prior to applying to the dietetics program.
- Completion of a letter of application stating reasons for selecting dietetics as a career and short- and long-term professional goals.
Admission Process:
Applicants must complete the DPD application form and write a letter of application. Applications will not be reviewed until all application materials have been received. The application deadline is September 15 of each academic year. All applications are reviewed and admission determined by the DPD selection committee, consisting of full-time and part-time DPD faculty. Applications may be obtained online.
Applicants should include the following:
- A completed DPD application form.
- Official transcripts from all Universities and colleges attended, and student copies of WMU transcripts.
- 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.
- A non-refundable application fee of $20 (make check payable to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences).
- Please place all materials in an envelope and send to the address below.
Note: Some practicum sites may require background checks, drug screening tests and/or vaccinations such as TB screening. It is the student’s responsibility to provide evidence that these requirements have been met.
Application materials should be sent to:
College of Education and Human Development Admissions and Advising Office
2421 Sangren Hall
Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5275
Pre-Dietetics Required Courses
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
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 4. Required Science Courses (26 hours)
Minimum “C” grade required 5. Electives - As needed for graduation total of 122 hours.
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