Program Coordinator/Contact
Kendra Kattelmann, Coordinator
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Phone: 605-688-5161
E-mail: kendra.kattelmann@sdstate.edu
Program Information
Dietetics is the education and practice of food, nutrition and wellness and offers a wide variety of jobs in the health promotion and wellness area. Registered dietitians are pivotal in the preventive health care and community nutrition programs. Additionally, a registered dietitian is essential to the total care of a patient in a healthcare facility, giving nutritional guidance and instruction. Students develop an understanding and competency in food, nutrition, wellness, and management and a good background in the basic and behavioral sciences to apply the science of nutrition for the promotion of health and disease prevention.
The employment opportunities are in health promotion and wellness programs, public health agencies, foodservice and food production industries, schools, universities, the armed services, hospitals, nursing homes, and state, national and international organizations. Governmental regulations require the services of dietitians in federally supported programs. The consulting services of a dietitian are often sought by architects and hospital administrators in planning and equipping food preparation and services facilities.
Additional Program Requirements
Students must be current on immunizations and complete a criminal background check to complete education components of program.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the dietetics major, students will demonstrate:
- Core knowledge for the registered dietitian:
- Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: integration of scientific information and research into practice
- Professional Practice Expectations: beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the professional dietitian level of practice
- Clinical and Customer Services: development and delivery of information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations
- Practice Management and Use of Resources: strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations
- Knowledge to support the underlying principles of practice: food and food systems, physical and biological science, and behavioral and social science foundation of the dietetics profession
- Effective communication practices
- The ability to work in teams to solve problems
- Critical thinking skills
- Personal/professional attitudes and values
- Knowledge of ethical practices
- Leadership skills
Accreditation, Certification and Licensure
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics as a Didactic Program in Dietetics by the Accreditation Council for Education of Nutrition and Dietetics, the accrediting agency for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Upon completion of the program and Bachelors of Science requirements, the student will receive a verification statement from the program director and are then eligible to apply for the supervised practice experience (dietetic internship). To become a registered dietitian, one must satisfactorily complete the South Dakota State University’s dietetics program, an accredited supervised practice (dietetic internship) and pass the national registration examination for registered dietitians. The dietetic internships are post-graduation, require additional fees, and are competitive.
Course delivery format
The program offers coursework through lecture, discussion, laboratory, clinical education and clinical experience components.
