Gannon University

DAWNA TORRES MUGHAL, Ph.D., R.D., LDN, FADA, Program Director
FACULTY: Associate Professor: Dawna Torres Mughal, Instructors: Mary Todd, M.S., R.D.; Consortium Program faculty

The Dietetics Program is committed to providing value-centered education, integrating liberal arts and professional specialization, which promotes the holistic development of students for a productive career in dietetics and for life. The faculty is committed to excellence and continuous improvement in teaching, learning, scholarship and service; and values an inclusive environment that respects cultural diversity. The overall goal of the program is to prepare competent entry-level dietitians by providing learning experiences for students to: (1) achieve the foundation knowledge and skills and the competencies required for entry-level practice in general dietetics; and (2) develop and demonstrate: (a) professional and ethical practice; (b) communication, collaboration, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, and management skills; (c) the ability to meet the nutritional health needs/needs for dietetics services of diverse individuals and groups, conduct community-based nutrition programs, and manage food service operations; and (d) commitment to lifelong learning and to community service. In addition, the program aims to increase the number of students who complete the program.

Outcome measures of the program are students' completion of a group research project and final report, seniors' self-ratings of their performance behaviors and competencies, passing rate in the senior comprehensive examination, students' participation in continuing education programs and community service, preceptors' ratings of seniors' performance behaviors, and student retention. Additional outcomes measures include graduates passing rate on the RD examination, employment in the field or enrollment in an accredited continuing education program or advanced studies, self-evaluations by alumni, evaluations of alumni by employers, and alumni participation in community service.

The Dietetics Program is a Coordinated Program (CP); it combines in four academic years the undergraduate curriculum and supervised practice common to an internship. It is, therefore, an accelerated program because it eliminates the need for an internship in the fifth year, which the traditional baccalaureate dietetics program (didactic program) requires. The curriculum consists of the liberal studies (general education) core, the supporting courses in mathematics, computer studies, chemistry, biological and social sciences, education, and business; and the 13 major courses. Nine of the major courses include supervised practice or hands-on learning experiences (1,000 - 1,200 hours) in clinical dietetics, foodservice systems, and community nutrition. These are the Clinical Dietetics series, Foodservice Systems series, Community Nutrition, and Staff Experience. To receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, students must complete 130 credits. The curriculum combines nutrition science and the art of dietetics. With their specialization in general dietetics, graduates have a comprehensive view of dietetics practice. They are qualified for positions in acute care health/medical centers, long-term care/residential facilities, community-based nutrition programs, health and wellness programs, food service operations, and many other agencies that provide nutrition care/dietetics services.

Gannon’s CP is a part of the Consortium Coordinated Program (CCP), which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL. 60606-6995, (312) 899- 4876. CADE is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). After completion of the CP and verification of program completion by the CCP director, graduates are eligible to take the national test for registered dietitians. Successful completion of this test is a requirement for becoming a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed dietitians/nutritionists (LD/LDN) in states that require licensure. Graduates are also qualified for active membership in the ADA and for graduate work in foods and nutrition/dietetics.

The CP of Gannon University forms an equal part of a cooperative agreement (CCP) with two nearby institutions, Mercyhurst College and Edinboro University. The Consortium arrangement offers majors at Gannon the benefits of a larger faculty, expanded facilities and resources, more diverse course offerings, and teamwork with students from the other schools while they are enrolled at the University. The ten Consortium program courses are identified with an asterisk in the program of study. Food Science and Meal Management, taken during the sophomore year, are taught at Mercyhurst College and are taken by students from the three schools.

NOTE: The University is no longer accepting applications to the Dietetics Program. The consortium will be dissolved with the graduation of the currently enrolled students in May 2009.

Admission and Progression

Admission to the junior year of the CCP's coordinated study requires successful completion of the prerequisite courses in the freshman and sophomore year and a formal application process that includes a personal interview by a Student Selection Committee. Prerequisite courses are CHEM103/104, CHEM106/107, DIET203. BIOL115/116, BIOL106/107, DIET202, DIET204, BIOL117/118, and CHEM336. Students who have taken CHEM111/112 and CHEM114 /115, must take CHEM221/222 before taking CHEM336. The CP director will review exceptions. In the selection process, grade point average (a minimum GPA of 2.5 or C+ is required) in the lower level courses; weighted GPA in the science, food science, nutrition, and meal management courses; quality attributes and professionalism reflected in the application papers and personal interview; work experience in dietetics or related areas; extracurricular activities; and letters of recommendation are considered in the admission of applicants. To progress in the program, students must pass their major courses with a "C" grade or higher.

Transfer Courses

The CCP has developed course equivalency for Food Science, Meal Management, Introduction to Foodservice Systems (FSS), FSSI, and FSSII. Students must submit a portfolio to document competencies obtained in experiential learning. It is important for prospective applicants to confer with the CP director for individualized advising and planning for program completion. To be accepted for transfer, courses must have a grade of at least "C".

Sophmore Diagnostic Exam

At the end of the sophomore year and after formal admission to the CCP, students will take a faculty-developed test that is designed to assess their knowledge of the content areas of Nutrition and Food Science. Because these courses integrate knowledge of chemistry and biological sciences, the test partly assesses students' knowledge of these other foundation courses. The minimum passing score is 70%. Achieving less than the passing score does not affect students' admission. The test may be repeated before fall semester begins to encourage students to review the foundation concepts and principles required for upper level courses. The higher of two grades will be factored into the grade of Clinical Dietetics I.

Junior Comprehensive Exam

In order to progress to the senior year, students are required to pass a faculty-developed comprehensive exam that is administered at the end of the junior year. The exam includes content areas in these junior level courses: Advanced Nutrition, Clinical Dietetics I and II, Introduction to Foodservice Systems and Foodservice Systems (FSS) I. The minimum passing score is 70%. If necessary, the exam will be repeated (via a written set of questions and oral exam) for the students to demonstrate the expected level of achievement of this learning outcome.

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Seniors take a faculty-developed comprehensive exam in March, after the completion of FSSIII and Community Nutrition. The exam is designed to assess students' knowledge of basic concepts of research and of the content areas in these senior level courses: Clinical Dietetics III, FSS II and III, and Community Nutrition. The exam is also intended to help students review the foundation knowledge in preparation for Staff Experience. The minimum passing score is 70%. If necessary, the exam will be repeated (via a written set of questions and oral exam) for the students to demonstrate the expected level of achievement of this learning outcome. Passing the test is required to complete Staff Experience. The score is counted as one-third of the grade in Staff Experience.

Other Graduation Requirements

The CCP also requires the completion of group research and student portfolio, which is linked to the core and general dietetics competencies. Students begin developing these projects in the Fall semester of their junior year and continue them through the remaining semesters; the projects should show satisfactory progress at continual periodic reviews. Students develop a research proposal, submit it to the Institutional Review Board for approval, collect and analyze the data, and present the project in a written report and in oral presentations (Spring semester, senior year). In order to complete their grades in Staff Experience and to receive verification statements from the CCP director, students must complete these projects. The Commission on Dietetic Registration requires a statement that students have completed program requirements and are, therefore, eligible to take the RD exam.

CCP Academic Calendar

The CCP calendar for the junior and senior year follows a semester calendar. However, it is different from the semester calendars of Gannon University and Edinboro University. Classes generally start one week early and may not follow the universities' scheduled breaks/ vacations. Students are responsible for making arrangements for their housing as needed. Some learning experiences are scheduled during summer following the junior year. Examples are the shadowing experiences in Foodservice Systems and Community Nutrition and the maternal and child health experience for Clinical Dietetics III.

Program Expenses

Students assume all obligations listed in the Financial Facts section of this catalog. Additional expenses incurred in the Dietetics Program include, but are not limited to, the following items:

• Liability ($40) and auto accident insurances
  
• Personal health insurance
  
• Physical examination for health clearance required by the agency affiliations (PPD test for tuberculosis is required annually)
  
• Student membership fees for professional organizations – ADA ($43), Pennsylvania Dietetic Association (PADA), and Northwest Pennsylvania Dietetic Association ($10)
  
• Attendance at local professional meetings (approximately 3 - $15-30)
  
• Attendance at out-of-town conferences (cost varies with location)
  
• Food safety certification training ($125)
  
• Fees for criminal background check ($20)
  
• Uniforms – white laboratory coat and chefs coat ($50)
  
• Name identification pins/badge ($5-10)
  
• Books ($1,000-1,500)
  
• School supplies ($100-150 per year)
  
• Meals at the Mercyhurst College Grotto ($36 - 2 semesters)
  
• Resource file ($40)
  
• Food label project and visuals/instructional materials ($75)
  
• Transportation – students are responsible for their own transportation between campuses and supervised practice sites

Advanced Certificate Program (Special Students)

Students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and who return to school to complete the eligibility requirements for the national test for registered dietitians can earn a Certificate of Program Completion. The student must complete the same major courses as those listed in the CCP. Because the professional courses are sequential, their completion requires a minimum of two years. It will take longer for students who have not taken the prerequisite courses. Students in this track are admitted under the same procedures and criteria as all other students in the program, complete the same program requirements, are considered graduates of the program, and are included in the program's evaluation efforts. After program completion, they will receive a verification statement from the CCP director. This verification statement plus an official transcript of the previously earned baccalaureate degree must be submitted to CDR for RD exam eligibility. To be accepted for transfer, courses must have agrade of at least "C".

Admission Requirements for Freshmen

Applicants for admission to the Dietetics Program must meet the following requirements: High school chemistry, combined College Board (SAT) score of 1010 or higher, with a mathematics score of at least 480, and rank in the 40% of their class. Completion of high school biology, chemistry with labs, and mathematics will be considered.

Requirement for the Major

The Coordinated Program consists of two phases: predietetics (freshman and sophomore) and the professional coordinated study (junior and senior). The latter begins in the fall of the junior year and constinues for four consecutive semesters to graduation. The coordinated study integrates formal instruction with planned and supervised practice and independent study in various facilities, including acute care health/medical centers, long-term care/ residential facilities, schools, businesses, foodservice operations, community programs, and many other agencies with food and nutrition component.

The following program of study is designed to meet the Foundation Knowledge and Skills and the Core and General Dietetics Competencies as established by CADE. Because certain courses have prerequisites, it is essential that all courses be taken in the recommended sequence. Students are encouraged to seek early and continual guidance in the freshman and sophomore years from the dietetics faculty to ensure that they take the courses required for progression in the program.

NOTE: The Pennsylvania Consortium Program in Dietetics, which is comprised of the Dietetics Program of Gannon and of two other partner institutions, is being phased out during the next few years. For this reason, the Program is not accepting students into the 2006 freshman class. Transfer students who may be able to transfer into the coordinated study phase of the program and complete program requirements by May 2009 will be considered for admission on an individual basis.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: