Dietetics Programs Earn Accreditation
Those graduating with a degree in dietetics next weekend
will have something extra to go along with it—the
stamp of approval from the Commission on Accreditation
for the Dietetic Education, the accrediting arm of the
American Dietetic Association.
CADE granted accreditation to two of SHSU’s degrees,
the Combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship Program,
as well as the dietetic Bachelor of Science in food science
and nutrition, at its meeting in April, according to department
chair Janis White.
“
We are extremely pleased that these programs have achieved
this significant step,” White said. “We appreciate
the hard work of Dr. (Claudia) Sealey-Potts and Dr. (Zaheer)
Kirmani in preparing the documentation required by the accrediting
body.”
The undergraduate program has been in existence at SHSU since
the late 1970s under “approval” status until
that category was eliminated by the ADA at which time the
status was changed to “developmental.” The university
was allowed to offer the combined masters and Dietetic Internship
Program beginning in 2001, also under “developmental” accreditation,
White said.
Before the master’s and internship program could be
fully accredited, CADE required that two classes graduate
from the program and two site visits be conducted. Accreditation
of the bachelor’s level program required two site visits,
a general one in December of 2002 and a “focused” one
in November 2004.
Both programs work together and those who obtain the degrees
become registered dietitians, pending the passing of the
registration exam.
SHSU’s bachelor’s degree program currently includes
close to 40 students, and four are currently enrolled in
the cohort program for the master’s degree, but White
said she thinks these numbers will begin to grow with the
new accreditations.
“
I think it will certainly help our enrollment to grow, especially
in the undergraduate program,” she said. “Just
knowing that the accreditation is full and that there are
no limitations attached will boost enrollment. We have already
reached our full allotment of 10 in the cohort that has been
accepted for fall (the master’s cohort).”
—END—
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer
Gauntt
May 6, 2005
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