University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a historically black university. It is the only public institution of higher education in the nation’s capital and the only exclusively urban land-grant institution. The main campus on Van Ness is in the district's North-West (NW) quadrant. The University was established in 1851 and has six (6) academic schools and colleges - UDC Community College, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences, and David A. Clarke Law School.
UDC offers over 81-degree programs encompassing a wide range of education levels and interests culminating in either an associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, or a juris-doctor degree. The undergraduate and graduate programs provide leading-edge content in business, STEM, health sciences, the humanities, and education. There are approximately 3,500 students, 614 faculty (full and part-time), and 490 staff members (full and part-time). The student-to-faculty ratio (6:1) enhances the learning environment by allowing more personalized, high-quality attention. Although most students hail from Washington, D.C., and are predominately Black at 64%, Whites account for approximately 8% and Hispanics at 16%.
The Graduate Program (GP) in Nutrition and Dietetics will be housed in the Department of Health, Nursing, and Nutrition in the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) on the Van Ness campus. The College’s land grant programs include the Center for Sustainable Development and Resilience, Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education, Center for Nutrition, Diet, and Health (SNAP-ED and Head Start programs), Center for Research Engagement and Scholarship, and a 4-H Youth Development Program. The Department of Health, Nursing, and Nutrition offers a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The GP in Nutrition and Dietetics will be a track in the Master’s program.
The Middle States Commission accredits the University of the District of Columbia on Higher Education. For additional on the University of the District of Columbia’s history and mission, click here.
The M.S. in Nutrition Science with a GP track is a 12-months program that includes supervised experiential learning. The program is 3 semesters – summer, fall, and spring. Supervised experiential learning will be completed both on the campus (internal) and at external sites. The external supervised experiential learning (rotations) begins in the summer semester and continues into fall and spring of the following year. The competency-based program evaluates performance indicators to determine competency and not number of hours completed. However, during the program students will complete a minimum of 1000 hours to meet state licensure requirements.
Rotation sites/facilities include hospitals, bariatric clinics, dialysis centers, school districts, public health departments, community-based organizations, and long-term care. Students will be randomly assigned to facilities/sites in the Washington Metropolitan Area. An attempt will be made to match the students to sites and/or experiences to support their interests and career goals. Students will have the opportunity to gain additional experience based on their reference and interest in Enrichment rotation. University of the District of Columbia does not pay or provide a stipend or other forms of compensation to students for supervised experiential learning activities.
The MS is a non-thesis option, but a project will be completed in the 3rd semester (Research Project). Each student will be assigned an advisor. A Research Project Handbook will be provided by the program director. Students will be encouraged and supported by faculty to develop and submit their projects for publication in peer-reviewed journals and professional conferences.
The student’s schedule will be based on the university’s academic calendar and will observe holidays and semester breaks based on the University’s academic calendar. The students are expected to complete the Program within 150% of the program time (18 months). Coursework will be used to partially satisfy core competencies. Competencies may be met in coursework, simulation exercises, professional meetings, nutrition assessment lab, and supervised experiential learning activities.
All students must complete 45 credit hours with a letter grade of “B” or higher. The MS degree plan is provided below.
ADMISSION (CREATE TAB)
All UDC graduates with a DPD Verification Statement are required to complete a graduate school application here. University of the District of Columbia DPD students are required to complete a graduate school application here. Non-UDC DPD graduates must apply through Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS). The DICAS application deadline is February 15.
For individuals without a DPD Verification Statement, please contact the Program Director for additional information.
Click here to access the DICAS portal.
No UDC graduate application or program fee will be charged.
The M.S. in Nutrition program does not require a GRE score for admission.
A selection committee will review applications. Incomplete DICAS applications will not be reviewed. Therefore, all materials required to complete the DICAS application must be submitted by the deadline.
All applications will be reviewed and interviewed by a selection committee. The committee will include the Program Director, faculty, and preceptors. The selection committee members will have different areas of expertise (e.g. clinical, management, and public health). The committee will review, screen, interview, and rank the applicants. Students will be ranked based on the scoring of the application and interview. Students will be informed of admission decisions on or before March 20.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain prior nutrition/health-related work experience (volunteer or paid) to demonstrate their ability to be confident communicators, team players, and self-directed learners to complete the rigors of the program. Applicants will be evaluated on academic performance, work, and volunteer experience (20 hours) in the field, evidence of maturity, interpersonal skills, leadership potential, and self-direction, quality of reference, and compatibility of the applicant’s goals with the mission of our program.
Students are responsible for their living expenses, transportation, books, white coats, and other program-required materials or expenses. During the program students are expected to attend a professional conference, the expense associated with this activity may be the graduate student’s responsibility.
The program fee and payment schedule are at https://www.xxxx.edu (insert link). A nonrefundable $200 down payment is due upon acceptance of the program (March). Refunds are based on the University’s policies (insert link).
Estimated Pre-Placement Expenses:
DICAS fee/program $50 (non-UDC DPD graduates/students only)
D&D Digital $65
Estimated Budget:
Tuition/semester
Resident $5047
Metro $5650
Non-resident $9304
Books and supplies (including computer) $ 1600
Room and board (monthly average) $1,000
Transportation (monthly average) $200
Professional membership dues $75
FINANCIAL RESOURCES:
Students are eligible for federal loans and grants (financial aid).
Scholarships:
The College/Department of Health, Nursing, and Nutrition will offer scholarships annually. Click here for additional information (insert link).
Students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships through The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics here.
Funding may also be available from State and local dietetic associations.
Accessing Private Loans
Private loans are an option. If considering a private loan, verification of admission forms should be submitted to the director.
Loan Deferment
If considering loan deferment, submit a verification of admission form to the Program Director.
Health Insurance
Students are required to have health (medical) insurance throughout the program. Students may opt to be covered by the student health insurance offered by the University of the District of Columbia or get his/her personal health insurance. Students with health insurance must request a waiver for the insurance provided by the university. Failure to do so will incur the University’s health insurance charge. Proof of health/medical insurance coverage will be required before the start of the admitting semester and the second (2nd) year of the program.
Liability Insurance
The College/Department will provide professional liability insurance for the students. The students will be required to pay a nominal fee.
Program Requested Travel - Liability for Safety
Students must have and maintain motor vehicle insurance and registration as the law requires. However, the Washington Metropolitan area has well-established and reliable mass transportation (train and bus), and it is highly recommended to use mass transportation when possible.
Injury or Illness
Students injured or become ill while completing supervised experiential learning or volunteering will be given the necessary emergency health care or first aid at the site assigned; the student’s medical insurance will cover continued care. Proof of health/medical insurance coverage will be required before the start of the admitting semester. Injuries during rotation hours, including motor vehicle accidents, must be reported to the Program Director within 24 hours of the incident.
Drug Testing and Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks and drug screens are mandatory. Background checking will be done before the start of the program. During the program, students must self-disclose criminal convictions that occur within three business days of the conviction. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program. Drug screening will be done before the start of the program. Students must sign a consent form to permit sharing screening results with affiliated rotation sites if requested. The program will accept the site's policies if a student is rejected due to criminal background checks and drug screening issues.
The program will only accept background checks and drug screenings conducted by the company the program approves. The student will pay the fee charged by the company. The Program Director will access reports generated by the company. The students will be provided information about the agency conducting the screening. Also, students may be required to disclose their date of birth and possibly social security number to assist facilities with their background checks and clearance to access patient or client information.
Replacement of Employees
Supervised experiential learning is for educational purposes, and the student must not be used to replace or eliminate employees.
Compensation
The University of the District of Columbia does not provide a stipend or other forms of compensation to students for supervised experiential learning. Affiliated sites providing students with a stipend or other forms of compensation must disclose information, including policies and procedures, to the program director. The University of the District of Columbia will not participate in discussions or negotiate stipends or other forms of compensation on behalf of students for supervised experiential learning. The university will adhere to the policies and procedures of the site.
Filing and Handling
Students have a right to file a complaint regarding any aspects of the program, including but not limited to the program director, preceptors, training sites, faculty, course, or supervised practice requirements, without fear of retaliation. The program director will encourage the resolution of grievances through informal means and discussions in keeping with the collegial atmosphere of the university and the site. Suppose a student, preceptor, or other party has a complaint about the program or a student. In that case, the program director will try to resolve the issue and may include the Associate Dean or others as appropriate. The program director is also committed to a formal procedure for consideration of grievances that are not resolved through informal processes. The student should submit a written letter (electronic or hard copy) within ten (10) business days of the incident. The program director will respond in writing within ten business days (electronic and hard copy). Meetings with the parties involved may be convened. Other parties may be included as needed, e.g., associate dean and clinical managers. For unresolved complaints, the student can file a formal grievance according to the policies and procedures in the University of the District of Columbia’s Student Handbook. (Student Handbook is available here.
After exhausting all the procedures available at the University, the student may contact ACEND to file a complaint. ACEND will only accept complaints as the last and final option for the student.
| Chief Student Development and Success Officer Contact Information:
|
ACEND Contact Information:
|
| Dr. Ruthie Little-Berry
Email: ruthie.littleberry@udc.edu
Tel: 202-274-5548
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120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1-800-877-1600 ext. 5400
ACEND@eatright.org
|
Written Complaints to ACEND Related to Program Noncompliance
The program director will submit written complaints to ACEND after exhausting program and university options. The corrective actions including the final resolution will be detailed in the communication submitted to ACEND. The complaint will be submitted to ACEND within ninety (90) days of final resolution.
Prior Learning and Work Experience
The GP program at the University of the District of Columbia does not grant course credits, or supervised practice hours credit for prior learning or competence.
Evaluation of Students
Evaluation of students will include both formative and summative assessment, using direct and indirect assessment strategies to meet objectives and measure student learning outcomes. Supervised practice-competencies will be assessed using performance indicators as required by the accrediting agencies.
Students will be assessed using various assessment methods, these will include assignments, exams, and observation. For coursework, students will receive a mid-term and final grade for each course. Students are required to meet with the program at least twice per semester to review program progress. Additional meetings will be scheduled if students are not making satisfactory progress. Supervised experiential learning rotations that exceed four (4) weeks will have a mid-point evaluation at two (2) weeks. For experiential learning, activities will be assessed using a 9-point grading scale. At the end of each rotation, students will be provided with a final evaluation. Preceptors and faculty will be encouraged to provide feedback and evaluations within seventy-two (72) hours of completing experiential learning activity and/or rotation. Evaluations will be submitted to the program director with the student receiving a copy. After acquiring data management software, the completion of evaluations will be done electronically with both students and preceptors having been assessed. When possible, the program director and/or faculty will attend mid and/or final evaluations.
Retention and Remediation Procedures
All efforts will be made to facilitate students’ success and timely completion of the program. A student is considered to be making satisfactory progress if he/she achieves 80% or higher on each final rotation performance evaluation, supervised experiential learning activities, coursework, and other assigned activities. If a student cannot demonstrate satisfactory performance on a final rotation evaluation or MS course, the student is required to schedule a meeting with the program director. The preceptor/instructor of the rotation/course in question may be invited to the meeting. The student will be required to partially or fully repeat the task(s)/rotation/course to demonstrate competence. Students will be allowed to repeat a rotation or course once.
When necessary, students will be offered free tutoring sessions with a nutrition faculty, including the program director. Students will be referred to the University’s Student Success program tutoring services when applicable. If the student after intervention is still not able to fulfill program competency, the student may be required to withdraw or be dismissed from the program. The program director will provide career counseling on an alternate path and refer the student to Career Design and Development services for additional advice and support. The student will be dismissed from the program per the established policies and procedures of the University. See here.
The following steps will be taken for poor performance in the order listed below:
- Verbal warning
- Written warning
- Final written warning
- Dismissal
A dismissed student may appeal the director’s decision by following the steps provided in the University’s Student Handbook. The policies are available here. If a student has been dismissed from the program for any reason, no future application will be considered.
Students returning from an approved leave of absence will be reinstated and will continue at the point where they left off.
Disciplinary/Termination Procedures
Students are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures stated in the GP handbook and the Student Code of Conduct in the University’s Student Handbook. Failure to adhere may result in the student being dismissed from the program per the established policies and procedures.
Depending on the violation, the following steps may be taken in the order listed below:
- Verbal warning
- Written warning
- Final written warning
- Dismissal
A dismissed student may appeal the decision by taking the steps provided in the University’s Student Handbook. The University’s policies are available here.
If dismissed from the program for any disciplinary reason, no future application will be considered.
Completion Rate
All students must complete the program within 150% of the initial program length (12 months), which is equal to 18 months. A student may take a leave of absence from the program. A written request must be submitted to the program director. A leave of absence may not exceed 12 months. The granting of the requested leave is at the discretion of the program director, pending approvals from the associate dean. The time frame associated with a leave of absence is not included in the required completion rate for the program.
Verification Statement
Verification of successful completion of the program will be given to all students who complete all didactic courses, score 80% or higher on practice exams, 20 volunteering hours, and supervised experiential learning according to the established performance requirements. Verification statements and other required information will be submitted to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to establish eligibility to sit for the RDN Exam. Copies of the verification statement are also provided to students to use for state licensure applications and proof of registration eligibility for potential employers.
Withdrawal and Refund of Tuition and Fees
Refunds of tuition and fees are based on the policies stated in the University’s Student Handbook.
Program Schedule, Vacations, Holidays, and Leaves of Absence
The student’s schedule will be based on the University’s academic calendar and will observe holidays and semester breaks based on the University’s academic calendar.
For sick and personal days, the student must notify the preceptor and Program Director as soon as possible. Holidays, sick, and personal days are not counted in total supervised practice hours. Students will need to make arrangements with the preceptor and Program Director to make up for sick and personal days.
Protection of Privacy
It is the policy of the University of the District of Columbia to comply with the Privacy Act of 11974 as well as the Family and Educational Rights. To maintain the student's protection of privacy information and access to files, consent by the student is required before releasing any information from the student’s record.
Student Access to their Student Files
The student may have access to his/her file at any time except for any documents for which the student has waived their right to access i.e. recommendation forms/letters or confidential documents from preceptor to director. The student should submit a written request to the program director to review their files. Student files will remain in the program director’s or administrative assistant's office at all times during the review.
Access to Student Support Services
Students will have access to all student support services provided by the University for graduate students. This includes housing, library, financial aid, health services, career services, counseling and psychological services. See here.
