HANDBOOK FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION MAJORS

 

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN NUTRITION AND

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

 

 

 

COLLEGE OF HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

 

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FALL 2006

 

Information in this document is subject to change and does not supercede information provided by faculty advisors in the Department of Human Nutrition & Hospitality Management.  Revisions will be implemented annually.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Overview of the Program                                                                             

Mission Statements

Accreditation

Goals

Evaluation

Philosophy

 

Admission to the University of Alabama

            General Admission Policy

            Policies and Procedures Applicable for all University Students

                        Equal Opportunity Policy

Sexual Harassment

                        Students with Disabilities Policy

Bloodborne Pathogen Policy

                        Confidentiality (Student Records and Patient Records)

                                    Access to Personal Files

            Registration and Advising

                        Transfer Credit and Letter of Good Standing

                        Credit for Examination Performance and Experience and Prior Learning

            Grading Policy

                        Attendance Policy

                        Opportunity for Honors

            Costs

                        Projected Costs for 2006-2007

                        Special Cost for DPD and CP Students

                                    Books and Supplies

                                    Clothing

                                    Professional Memberships

                                    Insurance

                                    Immunizations

                        Policies for Withdrawal and Refund of Tuition and Fees

                        Scholarships for Food and Nutrition Majors

Academic Misconduct

                        Code of Ethics

                        Disciplinary and Termination Procedures

                        Grievance Procedure

            Dress Code

            Policy for safety of students during travel or while in a facility

            Access to student support services on campus

                        Academic Support

                        Health Services

                        Career Center

                        Recreation

            Good tips for new students new student parents

 

Overview of the Food and Nutrition Major

Employment Opportunities for Food and Nutrition Majors Pursuing the RD Credential

            Employment Opportunities for Food and Nutrition Majors with a Baccalaureate Degree

Steps in the Education of the Registered Dietitian

Application to Supervised Practice Programs   

                        Didactic Program in Dietetics

                                    Application Requirements

                                    Verification Statements

                                    Verification Statements for Persons Who Are Not Graduates of the DPD, University of Alabama

                                    Application to Dietetic Internships                                

                        Coordinated Program in Dietetics                                                

                                    Minimum Criteria for Admission

                                    Additional Information Concerning the

                                    Coordinated Program

                        Criteria for Continuing in the CPD

            Graduation requirements

                        Program Schedule for Academic Year 2006-2007

Professional Requirements Following Supervised Practice Completion

            The National Registration Examination

                        RD Exam Review Courses

            Licensure

            Membership in The American Dietetic Association

                        ADA Member Benefits

            Maintaining the RD Credential

            Professional Development Portfolio

            Additional Credentialing Opportunities offered through The American Dietetic Association by The Commission on Dietetic                         Registration

            Student Dietetic Association

 

           

APPENDIX

 

Faculty Roster 2006-2007

Program Requirements, Major in Food and Nutrition, 2006-2008 Catalog

Academic Planning Sheet

Foundation Knowledge and Skills for Didactic Component

Didactic Program Requirements for Persons with a Bachelor’s Degree 2006-2008

Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics

University of Alabama Dietetics Students Dress and Personal Appearance Policy

Didactic Courses in the Food and Nutrition Major

2006-2007 ADA Dietetic Practice Groups

Routes to Eligibility to Take the Dietetic Registration Examination

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

 

 

Mission of the College of Human Environmental Sciences

 

The College of Human Environmental Sciences is a senior unit in the State of Alabama offering professional programs in the field of family and consumer sciences. Throughout its history, the College has achieved a reputation for excellence through the quality of its academic programs; leadership provided by the faculty in professional organizations on state, regional, national, and international levels; research and publication;  success of its graduates; and the services rendered to the region through committees, conferences, workshops, and other activities. Today, in addition to continuing these efforts, the College is a leading provider of distance education programs.

The mission of the College is to provide strong undergraduate and graduate programs in the field of human environmental sciences. Further, the College strives to contribute to the generation of new knowledge in the field and to the application of this knowledge to improving the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities.

 

Mission of the Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management

 

            The Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management’s mission is to provide strong undergraduate programs in the areas of food and nutrition and restaurant and hospitality management and a strong graduate program in the area of human nutrition.  Further, the Department strives to contribute to the generation of new knowledge in the area of foods and nutrition and to apply this knowledge to improving the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities.

 

Mission of the didactic and coordinated programs in dietetics

 

The mission of the didactic and coordinated programs in dietetics is to prepare professionals to work in the broad areas of nutrition and dietetics.  The coordinated program in dietetics (CP) has the specific mission of preparing students to become registered dietitians. The didactic program in dietetics (DPD) has a more general mission of preparing students for a wider variety of professional positions, including but not limited to, preparing students to apply to dietetic internships for preparation to becoming a registered dietitian. 

 

Program Accreditation

 

The University of Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of College and Schools.  The accrediting agency for the College of Human Environmental Sciences is the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

 The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) serves as the accrediting agency for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics and the Didactic Program in Dietetics. CADE is The American Dietetic Association’s accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians. This agency establishes and enforces eligibility requirements and accreditation standards that ensure the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics has been accredited by CADE since 1973. The Didactic Program in Dietetics was established in the 1920’s.  As of June 7, 2004, CADE has approved the change in DPD program status from approved to developmental accreditation. Each program underwent an on-site accreditation review by CADE representatives in February 2005.  Subsequently, initial Accreditation of the DPD Program was granted during the July 25-26, 2005 CADE Meeting.  More information is available on the CADE website or at the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995.  Telephone 312/899-0040 ext. 5400. 
 

Program Goals

 

Specific goal for all graduates with a food and nutrition major:

 

1.      The program will produce entry-level graduates who are equally competent to work in the areas of clinical, management, and community nutrition practice.

a.       The National Registration Exam for Dietitians pass rates for first-time test takers will be ≥ 80% averaged over a five year period.

b.      Surveys of employers will show satisfaction with competence of graduates by rating their performance on average 3.5 on a scale from 1 to 5.

c.        Graduates working in the profession will report satisfaction with the education they received, rating it a minimum of 3.5 on a scale from 1 to 4.

2.      The program will instill in all food and nutrition majors an appreciation for the continuum    of learning which must occur throughout the span of a career in dietetics.

            a.  Two students in each graduating class will take advantage of the University Scholars Program that allows                  early entry into graduate school.

 

b.  Eighty-five percent of graduates who are Registered Dietitians will participate in continuing educational activities within one year of program completion.

 

c.  Graduates will indicate their understanding for the need for life-long learning at 4.0 on a scale of 1-5.                    

 

3.      Provide strong didactic and supervised practice education programs.

a.   Student evaluations of the effectiveness of required courses offered in the Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management will average 4.0 or higher on a scale of 1-5.

 

b.   Graduates will evaluate the advising and mentoring they received while in school on average 4.0 or higher on a scale of 1 to5.

 

4.      Provide courses in the DPD through distance education that are equivalent to the courses provided on campus.

a.   Students, as a group, who take courses through distance education will earn grades as high as those who take courses on campus.

 

b.   Students who take courses through distance education will rate the total experience of distance courses a minimum of 3.5 on a scale from 1 to 5.

 

c.   Students who complete the DPD primarily through distance courses will be accepted into internships at a rate similar to those who complete the courses primarily on campus.

 

Specific goals for students admitted to the coordinated program in dietetics:

           

1.  Eighty-five percent of program graduates will be employed into a variety of practice areas within six   months of graduation and/or completion of the CP.

 

2.  CP completion rates will be 90% or higher for each class.

 

Specific goals for students in the didactic program in dietetics:

1.  Seventy percent of students who complete the DPD with an overall grade point average of 3.0 and a science grade point average of 2.5 and apply for dietetic internships will receive an offer.

 

2.  Internship directors will rate the preparation of graduates from the DPD at a minimum of 3.0 (good) on a scale from 1 to 4.

 

3.  DPD completion rates will be 75% or higher for each class.

 

4.  Eighty-five percent of all DPD program graduates who do not apply for dietetic internships will either be employed in a variety of areas within six months of graduation or enrolled in a higher education program.

 

           

Program Evaluation

 

            The effectiveness of each program is monitored regularly by each program director.  Outcomes assessment for all food and nutrition majors includes passing rate for the registration exam; surveys of employers’ surveys satisfaction with graduates; and surveys of graduates’ satisfaction with their educational preparation.   In addition the DPD director monitors the percent of graduates accepted into dietetic internships and surveys of internship directors’ satisfaction with graduates of the DPD.

           

            All food and nutrition majors will be evaluated in their continuing education efforts by monitoring the number of students entering the University Scholars Program; the percentage of graduates participating in continuing educational activities within one year of graduation; and surveys of graduates which rank their appreciation for the need of life long learning.

           

            The CP and DPD Directors are committed to fulfilling all requirements to maintain the highest level of accreditation for each program and conduct ongoing evaluation procedures.  Students currently enrolled and graduates of each program are asked to actively participate in evaluation surveys. Faculty are asked to report their overall effectiveness scores on their annual report to the Dean and address any issues concerning changes in evaluation scores.  Students are also asked to evaluate the quality of advising and mentoring they received.

            Success of students who enroll in distance education courses is also carefully monitored by comparing their grades with on campus course grades; by their satisfaction ratings of each course; and by comparing the acceptance rates of distance DPD students into dietetic internships with those DPD students on campus.

           

Program Philosophy

 

            The University of Alabama, the College of Human Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management are committed to transferring theoretical knowledge into practical application and to helping the student continue with a lifetime education.

           

The Food and Nutrition faculty is dedicated to helping students develop knowledge and skills that can be used throughout life.  All faculty who teach professional courses have both academic training and experience in the area in which they teach.  All faculty members are registered dietitians who maintain the continuing education requirements for their credential as well as attending other educational meetings every year.  A complete faculty roster for the 2006-2007 academic year may be found in the Appendix.

 

ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

 

General Admissions Policy

 

            Admission to the Food and Nutrition Major at the University follows the general undergraduate admission requirements outlined in the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog, pages 14-18.        All Food and Nutrition Majors are required to adhere to the general academic policies as listed in the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog, pages 19-26.  Student responsibilities include: “selecting and registering for the courses that (a) are needed to maintain reasonable progress toward the desired degree; b) will satisfy all requirements for the desired degree by the time the student expects to graduate; and (c) conform to University regulations.  Students are expected to pursue successful completion of the courses for which they register.”  

Students are responsible for maintaining a current mailing address and a current local address and to respond promptly to all communications received from The University.  An e-mail account on the central campus computer is automatically created for all students upon registration.  “BamaMail” addresses are listed for each student on each class roster.  Students may receive important messages from any campus office or from an instructor via their BamaMail account and are reminded of the importance of checking for messages on a regular basis.

 

Policies and Procedures for All University Students

 

Equal Opportunity

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) follow the Equal Opportunity in Education and Employment policy of the University as stated on page 2 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog and are fully committed to increasing diversity among the students and faculty.

 

Sexual Harassment

 

The University of Alabama does not tolerate sexual harassment and the DPD and CP strictly adhere to all policies concerning sexual harassment.  Dr. Olivia Kendrick, Interim Assistant Dean, coordinates the efforts to prevent sexual harassment in the college. If you experience problems associated with sexual harassment, contact her in 101 Doster Hall or at 205-348-6150.

 

Students with Disabilities

 

The DPD and CP adhere to all policies concerning individuals with disabilities as stated on page 36 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog.  Additional information on the University’s Disabilities Services may be found at: www.ods.ua.edu. Prospective students with disabilities (or family members with disabilities wishing to visit campus) should contact the Office of Disability Services, Box 870185, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0185 or (205)348-4285.

 

Bloodborne Pathogens

 

The DPD and CP adhere to the Bloodborne Pathogen Policy, stated on page 2 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog.  Since students in the DPD and CP are placed in healthcare facilities for professional experiences, the Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended, and is available at a discounted fee at Russell Student Health Services.  Students who do not wish to be vaccinated must provide a signed statement declining the vaccine.

 

Confidentiality

 

The DPD and CP regard the confidentiality of student records as well as the confidentiality of patient records accessed by students with the utmost importance.  Student records are protected by policies described in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), viewable at: http://registrar.ua.edu/policies/annual.html.  The complete University of Alabama Policy of Confidentiality of Student Records is available from the Office of Academic Records and University Registrar, 206 Student Services Center, Box 870134, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0134. 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protects the confidentiality of patient medical information.  Important aspects of this act are taught in upper level medical nutrition therapy courses before students enter professional settings, either in supervised practice rotations or summer practicum experiences, where they must access patient records.


 

Access to Personal Files

 

The DPD and CP adhere to the policies governing access to student records as described in the Student Handbook, which specifies how a student may examine his or her record and what can and cannot be examined.  Most commonly in the DPD and CP, this applies to letters of recommendation written for students by faculty members for which the student has waived the right to access.

 

            Registration and Advising

 

            The 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog on page 19 states that “Prior to registering for classes each term, students must obtain academic advising using the procedures established by each division.”  The College of Human Environmental Sciences places a great deal of emphasis on quality academic advising and that same philosophy predominates for all food and nutrition majors, beginning with summer orientation for freshman and incoming transfer students, who have an opportunity to meet with a faculty advisor from the food and nutrition major for registration assistance. 

 

            Advising periods for enrolled students takes place in October and March of each academic year.  Each food and nutrition major is assigned an advisor who will generally follow that student for their entire academic career at the University.  Upper level students may choose to be reassigned to a different advisor depending on their career track, so that DPD students wishing internships work with the DPD Director; students in the CP program work with the CP Director; and students hoping to enter graduate programs work with a member of the graduate faculty.

 

            One week prior to the beginning of the advising period, a list of all majors with their assigned advisors is posted in the second floor hall of Doster.  Each academic advisor posts a schedule of available appointments on their office door so students may have an individual appointment.  During that advising period, the student’s checklist of Program Requirements (Appendix) and projected Program Plan (Appendix) is reviewed and updated.  Faculty advisors cannot be held responsible for sound advice not taken by the student, and all attempts will be made to appraise the student of potential consequences.  If the faculty advisor makes an error, then all efforts will be taken to ensure that the student suffers no consequences.

 

Transfer credit and letter of good standing

           

            Undergraduates from other educational institutions either instate or out of state must meet the requirements for admission as stated on pages 14-16 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog.  Courses taken at other institutions will be evaluated for transfer credit according to University policies listed on page 20 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog.  Students should be aware that some courses, taken as a requirement at one institution may not meet University of Alabama course content and will be accepted as elective courses only.  In that case, the student will be asked to retake the course at the University, whether it is a core curriculum requirement or a food and nutrition major requirement.  Students coming from other Colleges on campus as well as all transfer students will meet with a faculty advisor in the Human Nutrition Department for assistance with registration and program planning.

 

            Food and nutrition majors who wish to take summer or evening courses at other educational institutions must first determine that those courses meet University requirements and obtain a Letter of Good Standing from the Dean’s Office, Room 101 Doster.  Students should see their faculty advisor for approval and assistance in this process.

 

            Credit for Examination Performance and Experience and Prior Learning

 

            As stated on Page 16 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog, “Credit by Examination and credit for several types of out-of-class experiences are recognized by The University of Alabama.  Specific criteria for each type of experience are listed on pages 17-18 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog. 

 

            Grading Policy

 

            Faculty members set the specific policy for grading each course they teach. This policy is described on the course syllabus that is distributed the first day of class. The DPD and CP adhere to the grades and grade points according to the table of letter grades and values as listed on pages 20-21 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog. For information on how students may access their grades, go to http://registrar.ua.edu/grades.html - the Office of Academic Records. Each course syllabus for food and nutrition majors contains information on the formal assessment/progress reports and evaluation criteria specific to that course. Faculty members teaching freshmen can elect to enter midterm grades.  Grading criteria specific to students in the CP will be addressed in the Handbook for the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.

 

            Attendance Policy

                       

            Page 23 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog explains the policy on absence from class and failure to complete class work:  “Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered.”  Each course syllabus for food and nutrition majors contains information on the attendance policy for that course.

 

Opportunity for Honors

           

                        Food and nutrition majors have opportunities for honors at the department, college, and university level.  To be eligible for the Dean’s List, published at the end of each semester, a student must have a grade point average of at least a 3.5 for a minimum of 12 credit hours in a regular semester or 9 credit hours in a summer term.  The President’s List recognizes students who earn a 4.0 grade point.  At graduation, students with a grade point of 3.5 or greater but less than a 3.7 may graduate cum laude.  Students with a grade point average of 3.7 but less than a 3.9 may graduate magna cum laude.  Students with a grade point average of 3.9 or greater graduate summa cum laude.   There are many national scholastic honor societies represented at the University to which outstanding students may be elected.  The Honor Society in the College of Human Environmental Sciences is Phi Upsilon Omicron.  Eligibility requirements for food and nutrition majors are a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average, a minimum of 32 semester hours of work at the University, Food and Nutrition as a declared major within the College, and active participation in the Student Dietetic Association.

Students seeking a special academic challenge in their undergraduate work can find it in the University Honors Program (UHP). More than 1,100 students from all schools and colleges in the University participate in the program. The University Honors Program gives outstanding students the opportunity to work with their peers and with outstanding faculty members in an enriched academic environment. Membership in the University Honors Program offers students the opportunity to combine some of the benefits of a small-college experience with those advantages offered only by a major research university.

Students in Food and Nutrition with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher may participate in the University Scholars Program where they may apply to graduate school early and enroll in graduate courses while completing the undergraduate degree. This program is described on page 60 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog.

 

Costs

Projected Costs for 2006-2007

           

 

Alabama Resident

Non-Resident

Tuition  (for Fall 2006/Spring 2007)  

$2,639.00

$7,647.00

Course Fees    

100.00

100.00

Dining Dollars Account                                       

300.00

300.00

Meal Plan

990.00

990.00

Residential Hall Room (double)

1,700.00

1,700.00

Parking Decal

   100.00

   100.00

Books/Supplies

    400.00

    400.00

Total

$6,304.00

$11,312.00

 

 

                       

Beginning Fall 2006, all first-year students will be required to participate in the Freshman Residency Program, including the Freshman Dining Program.

For complete tuition information, go to http://cost.ua.edu/

For complete information on campus housing, go to http://reslife.ua.edu/

The tuition fees listed above are for traditional classes and for full time students taking 12-17 credit hours.  Course fees will vary depending on number of credit hours taken each semester.  An overload charge is assessed for credits exceeding 17 hours.  Most laboratory courses have an additional fee.  Classes offered via Distance Education options have a different fee schedule.  Information about Student Financial Aid is available at their office in 106 Student Services Center.

 

 

Special Costs for DPD and CP students

 

Books and Supplies

 

The students in the DPD and CP programs usually have higher costs for books than the fees listed above because they are asked to keep each of their professional texts rather than sell them at the completion of the course.  The fall term of the traditional junior year for both the DPD and CP students has an average book expenditure of about $600-$650 because of the extensive requirements for the first of a series of courses in medical nutrition therapy.  Many of those books, however, will be used in subsequent classes.

 

 

 

 

Clothing

 

In the traditional junior year, both DPD and CP students may be required to purchase a special hat and t-shirt for NHM 374: Quantity Food Production and Service which could cost about $27.00.  Students may be required to wear appropriate dark shoes and appropriate slacks for this course, which could be an additional expenditure.  Students will also be required to have a lab coat and a name tag for NHM 363: Applied Nutrition, costing about $25.00.

 

The DPD and CP have a dress code that must be adhered to when students are on field trips and in professional meetings and supervised practice facilities. Students whose usual attire is different from the dress code may have to purchase clothing for the supervised practice rotations. The dress code is discussed further below and is in the Appendix.

 

Professional Memberships

 

            All DPD and CP students are encouraged to join the Student Dietetic Association with annual dues of $10.  Various activities and organization t-shirts could cost an additional $40.

 

Both DPD and CP students are encouraged to join The American Dietetic Association as student members, especially in the spring of their sophomore year.  Membership fees for students are $43.00 annually. Both DPD and CP students are also encouraged to join the Tuscaloosa Dietetic Association for which dues are $10 annually.

 

All juniors and seniors (DPD and CP) are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of the Alabama State Dietetic Association. Some classes have one day of attendance as a requirement.  Students have a special rate and may pay less than the student rate if they serve as pages.  Rates are set each year by the Alabama Dietetic Association Board of Directors and are subject to change without notice. Students are responsible for transportation, food and lodging costs.

 

Insurance

 

            DPD and CP students are covered by a blanket professional liability insurance fund that is self-administered by The University of Alabama.  The cost of the insurance is approximately $5.00 per semester and is billed into the university fees structure.  Students are also required to have major medical healt