Mission Statement

The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is to provide students with the Foundation Knowledge and Skills which prepares and enables students for supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a RDN. 

Graduates with a concentration in Human Nutrition meet the educational requirements for acceptance into an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited dietetic internship program. After successful completion of this Didactic Program in Dietetics, both completion of a dietetic internship and a passing score on the CDR dietetic registration examination are required to become a registered dietitian (RD). Program graduates should be able to work effectively as professionals within their communities to improve the quality of food and nutrition for all people.

To accomplish this mission, the program's curriculum includes broad foundations of knowledge in the fields of biochemistry, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, education, communication, psychology, and management. In-depth course work is required in the fundamentals of nutrition, life cycle nutrition, nutrition and disease, advanced nutrition, cultural and community nutrition, food science, quantity foods and food service management.

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Goals and Objectives - Outcomes and student passing rate are available upon request.

Program Goal 1: 

Prepare graduates to achieve competence required for acceptance into and successful completion of a dietetic internship.

Program Objectives for Goal 1: 

• Outcome Measure 1.1) The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• Outcome Measure 1.2) 30% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Outcome Measure 1.3) 50% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice programs within 12 months of graduation.
• Outcome Measure 1.4) 75% of graduates will rate themselves as prepared or well prepared for a dietetic internship or employment in a dietetics-related area.

Program Goal 2: 

Produce graduates successful in obtaining internship acceptance and/or employment in nutrition, dietetics, food service administration or continue their education in graduate programs.

Program Objectives for Goal 2: 

• Outcome Measure 2.1.) Within six months of graduation, 70% of the graduates who do not continue on to a dietetic internship will be employed in dietetics-related jobs or enrolled in advanced education program.
• Outcome Measure 2.2.) At least 75% of graduates will be rated as prepared or well prepared for a dietetic internship or employment in a dietetics-related area by DI directors and/or employers.

Program Goal 3:

Attract and retain graduates of diverse backgrounds in order to contribute to the delivery of nutrition services to the residents of Texas, as well as other areas of the United States or the world.

Program Objectives for Goal 3: 

• Outcome Measure 3.1) At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 6 years (150% of the program length)
• Outcome Measure 3.2)  80% of graduates will rate as “satisfactory” or better scores on advising, counseling, and satisfaction with graduates preparation for supervised practice.
• Outcome Measure 3.3) Enrollment will increase by 10% each year.
• Outcome Measure 3.4) Number of diverse students completing the DPD will increase to 50% over a 5 year period of time (2010, 2015, 2020).