The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

       The DPD is offered on the Denton campus of Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.  The program is offered in the broader framework of a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Dietetics and Institutional Administration, therefore, the prospective student must meet the university’s admission requirements. The general education courses required for the BS degree give the DPD students a broad humanistic background that is essential for success in the healthcare profession by blending the liberal arts and sciences with career specific (health) knowledge.

      Graduates who successfully complete curriculum requirements for the DPD will receive a Verification Statement from the program director and may apply for Dietetic Internship at Texas Woman’s University or other accredited programs. Upon successful completion of the dietetic internship, the students are eligible take the national examination to become registered dietitians and become active members of the American Dietetic Association.

      The estimated cost of attendance at TWU is based on the number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled and residence. 

      The program follows the university calendar and schedule of classes. 

      
 Accreditation

       The DPD at Texas Woman’s University is currently granted Initial Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600.
 

 Mission          

      The mission of the DPD is to prepare students with advanced knowledge and skills that will enable them to enter into accredited dietetic internship programs, graduate programs, or professional careers and to pursue life-long learning.  The mission of the DPD is developed within the missions of the university and the College of Health Sciences, and the primary objective of the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.
 
Goal 1: 
      To provide students with an academic foundation in the liberal arts, sciences and health/dietetics education that will produce competent professionals in the dietetic and other healthcare fields. 

Outcome Measure 1.1:   
      At least 80% of baccalaureate juniors and 90% post-baccalaureate students enrolled in the DPD will complete the program. 

Outcome Measure 1.2:
     At least 80% of DPD students who apply for dietetic internships will gain entry and complete the the program.

Outcome Measure 1.3:
      The RD pass rate for first time test takers will be at least 80%. 

Outcome Measure 1.4:
     At least 95% of dietetic internship directors will rate the overall preparation of the DPD graduate  for internship as ‘satisfactory’ or ‘excellent’. 

Outcome Measure 1.5:
          Student Exit Survey conducted during the student’s final semester of 
      enrollment, will reveal that at least 75% of the required DPD courses will
      be rated as favorable (useful, very useful or extremely useful). 
         

Outcome Measure 1.6:
          At least 80% of employers would rate the preparation of the DPD
     graduates for the workforce as average or highly skilled.
  

Goal 2:
   To prepare students to assume leadership roles as successful professionals
   who engage in life-long learning.     

Outcome Measure 2.1:
      At least 95% of alumni will be employed, in dietetic internship, or attending graduate school three years after DPD completion. 

Outcome Measure 2.2:
          At least 80% of alumni who are employed in dietetics  will be registered
     dietitians. 

Outcome Measure 2.3:
          At least 50% of the alumni who are employed will assume leadership roles as
     evidenced by achievement of at least one professional accomplishment three
     years after DPD completion.

 

What is a Verification Statement?
         A verification statement is a document which verifies that a student has completed the required coursework to apply for a dietetic internship. 

The requirements for verification at TWU:     

      A.  Dietetics & Institution Administration degree students.
            Verification statements will be issued to those students who graduate with a bachelor of science  degree in Dietetics & Institution Administration and fulfill all the DPD curriculum requirements:

  1. Complete NFS 1301/1302 and NFS  2323 ("B" or better) either at TWU or another college in the United States.

  2. Earn a grade ‘C’ or better in all other DPD required courses



      B.     Post-baccalaureate (non-degree) students.
            Students with a prior bachelor’s degree seeking a verification statement must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Complete NFS 1301/1302 and NFS 2323 ("B" or better" either at TWU or another college in the United States.

  2. Earn a grade of "C" or better in all other DPD required courses.

  3. Complete required courses in mathematics, statistics, business, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, psychology, and computer science.

  4. Complete a minimum of twenty-four hours of advanced undergraduate nutrition, food science, and food service management courses at TWU selected from the following list:  NFS 3033, NFS 3043, NFS 3101, and NFS 3103; NFS 3323 and NFS 3321; NFS 3713 and NFS 3722; NFS 3744; NFS 4101, NFS 4103, NFS 4113, NFS 4473, and NFS 4701.