The Program

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) is an upper-division generalist dietetics program with an emphasis in Community Wellness.  The program prepares students for professional practice and establishes eligibility for graduates to sit for the examination to become Registered Dietitians (RD) and Licensed Dietitian in the state of Ohio.  During the five semester program each student spends a minimum of 1,200  supervised practice hours covering medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition and wellness. maternal and child, foodservice, and aging.

Program Concentration

A Community Wellness area of concentration has been identified as a need in the regional area that Youngstown State University serves.  The demographics and health statics of the population in the surrounding five-county regions indicate the need for health and wellness education.  Lack of exercise, smoking, substance abuse, and poor nutrition are behavioral risk factors that contribute to poor health.  Graduates of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics will be positioned to assume manor roles in community health programs.

Program Accreditation

The program is currently accredited through the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics Education (ACEND) within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000

Chicago, IL 60606-6995
312-899-0040 Ext. 5400
www.eatright.org/CADE

Mission Statement
The mission statement of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) is to educate generalist dietitians, with a community wellness emphasis, who will provide quality and effective services in clinical, foodservice systems management, community, and business/entrepreneurial areas of dietetics. The generalist dietitian, with a community wellness emphasis, is prepared to assume responsibility for promoting optimal nutrition, health, and well-being of individuals, and groups throughout the life cycle by:

• Effectively translating nutritional needs into an acceptable diet, considering physiologic, psychological, sociological, cultural, and economic factors;
• Teaching the principles of nutrition and their relationship to health status as well as suggesting strategies for applying those principles;
• Managing foodservice systems to assure the client optimal nutrition and high quality food, within fiscal guidelines;
• Applying or participating in research;
• Communicating effectively with others;
• Participating as a member of the interdisciplinary team;
• Promote wellness of individuals, families, consumers, and communities.
• Developing practices that foster lifelong learning and achievement of professional maturity. 

Program Goals

Goals for the program include the following:

1. The program will prepare competent entry-level dietitians.
2. The program will prepare graduates to assume leadership roles.
3. The program will help to meet the employment needs of the Mahoning Valley.
   

Program Outcomes

Outcome measures for the program include the following: 

• 70%  of graduates seeking employment will find jobs within one year of graduation.
• 80% of first-time test takers will pass the registration exam on the first try.
• 90% of the students will complete the program within 7.5 semesters.
  

Application Requirements  CPD application
The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) admits no more than 12 students the fall semester of the academic year. In order to apply to the CPD, you must have at least 63 semester hours of completed course work and have completed the pre-requisite courses identified on the curriculum sheet (link below).  Students who have completed the pre-requisite courses on the DPD curriculum or the Dietetic Technician degree may apply for admission to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Graduates of an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics or transfer students should contact the Director (contact information below) for further information.  Students accepted to the CPD are notified in the spring, and start the program during following fall semester. The current closing date for applications is February 15 (or the first business day after) for the following fall semester. Twelve students are admitted into the CPD annually.  The application form will be available on this website and in the Department of Human Ecology office the week of November 27, 2011. The completed application should be mailed to the Program Coordinator and postmarked on or before February 15.

Dr. Sue Leson, RD, LD
Assistant Professor and Director, Coordinated Program in Dietetics
Youngstown State University
Department of Human Ecology
Cushwa Hall, Room 3044
1 University Plaza
Youngstown, Ohio  44555

Program Requirements
Each student spends a minimum of 1200 hours at approved clinical sites during the junior and senior years of the CPD. Upon satisfactory completion of the CPD, graduates are issued a Verification Statement that confirms their eligibility to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) registration examination for dietitians.  CPD graduates who successfully write the registration examination are entitled to use the RD credential to signify professional competence. Admission to the CPD is restricted since only a limited number of students can be accommodated.

Curriculum Sheet

Estimated Program Costs

The estimated costs listed below do not include University tuition and fees.  Please see the University tuition and fees link below.

http://www.ysu.edu/vpadmin/studaccts/fees.pdf

Program Calendar

The program begins with a new cohort of students every fall.  The program follows the University Academic Calendar.  The course rotation for the program is followed by the entire cohort.  In other words, each student follows the same rotation through courses and supervised practice.  Please view the curriculum sheet for the program course rotation (Curriculum Sheet).

Policies and Procedures

The CPD program is guided by policies and procedures established by the University.  All students enrolled in the CPD will follow the established program guidelines  (Resources for Current Dietetics Students).

Graduation and Program Completion Requirements

Students entering the CPD during the junior year, who successfully complete the program curriculum, will meet the University requirements for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (BSAS).   Students successfully completing all program requirements will receive, in addition to the BSAS, a Verification Statement indicating successful completion.

For those students entering the CPD, after successfully completing an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics, will complete only the supervised practice component of the CPD.  Upon successfull completion of the supervised practice, the student will receive a Certificate of Program Completion and a Verification Statement.  The Verification Statement allows a graduate to apply and be administered the Registration Exam for Dietitians to obtain the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Information

Various scholarships are available through the University and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic Foundation (ANDF).  For more information click the ADAF link or contact the Program Director.  Please contact the Financial Aid Department for information on loans and grants.

Further Information

Please direct all inquiries regarding the CPD to the Program Director listed below.

Information about the Dietetics Profession

What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?*

Check it out!
Careers in Dietetics (Requires Microsoft PowerPoint)

Affiliations
American Dietetic Association
Ohio Dietetic Association
Commission on Dietetic Registration

Program Director

Dr. Sue Leson, RD, LD
Assistant Professor and Director, Coordinated Program in Dietetics
Youngstown State University
Department of Human Ecology
Cushwa Hall, Room 3047
1 University Plaza
Youngstown, Ohio  44555
330-941-1823
smleson AT ysu DOT edu

Resources for Current Dietetics Students