Nutrition Option’s Handbook
NUTRITION OPTION HANDBOOK
Introduction
This handbook, designed by the Nutrition Option faculty, serves as a supplement to the Keene State College Undergraduate Catalog to help you be successful in your undergraduate academic career.
You will find the mission statements of the Health Science major and the Nutrition Option, the School of Professional and Graduate Studies Vision, as well as the goals of the program. Next you will find a description of paths to becoming a registered dietitian.
Another section provides a list of available opportunities which can enhance your academic studies. Some are part of coursework; others are over and above your coursework. Many of these opportunities are unique to the Keene State College experience and make you a well-prepared dietetic internship candidate and job applicant. Make the most of these opportunities.
- The Nutrition Option Faculty
I. Faculty Information, Health Science – Nutrition Option
Pamela J. Smith, EdD, RD, LD
Associate Professor, Health Science
Program Director, Nutrition Option
229 Main Street MS 2903 - Joslin 212
Keene, New Hampshire 03435
603-358-2860
Email Address: psmith@keene.edu
Karrie A. Kalich, PhD, RD, LD
Associate Professor, Health Science
229 Main Street MS 2903 - Joslin 209
Keene, New Hampshire 03435
603-358-2885
Email Address: kkalich@keene.edu
Rebecca L. Dunn, PhD, RD, LD, CNSC
Assistant Professor, Health Science
Department Co-chair, Health Science
229 Main Street MS 2903 - Joslin 213
Keene, New Hampshire 03435
603-358-2423
Email Address: rdunn@keene.edu
Lisa J. Prospert, MS, RD, LD
Contract Lecturer, Health Science
229 Main Street MS 2903 - Joslin 209
Keene, New Hampshire 03435
603-358-2915
Email Address: lprosper@keene.edu
Dena B. Shields, BS, RD, LD
Adjunct Professor, Health Science
229 Main Street MS 2903 - Joslin 208
Keene, New Hampshire 03435
603-358-2838
Email Address: dsheilds@keene.edu
Rebecca Brown, EdD
Associate Professor, Health Science
Department Co-Chair, Health Science
229 Main Street MS 2903 - Joslin 206
Keene, New Hampshire 03435
603-358-2817
Email Address: rbrown@keene.edu
Melinda Treadwell, PhD
Dean – School of Professional and Graduate Studies
229 Main Street, MS 3800 – Rhodes Hall
Keene, New Hampshire 03435
603-358-2220
Email Address: mtreadwe@keene.edu
II. Option Overview
A. Mission Statements
School of Professional and Graduate Studies Vision Statement (draft 9.01)
The work of the Professional and Graduate Studies Division is to educate career professionals who are competent in their fields and who demonstrate lifelong pursuit of excellence, curiosity, and a desire to share and apply knowledge. Program graduates have an orientation toward pursuit of civic engagement in order to help solve social problems.
Health Science Mission Statement
The department of health science provides a dynamic educational environment in which students learn, investigate, and apply knowledge in the major and their chosen option. We guide students in the development of interdisciplinary skills transferrable to the fields of health promotion and fitness, nutrition, or substance abuse/addictions. Our program will transform students into compassionate, competent, and ethical professionals ready to pursue meaningful work.
We value:
· Academic excellence
· A progression from self-awareness to civic engagement
· An intellectual environment that enables students to apply diverse knowledge gained in the classroom and community to current health issues
· The mentoring and development of scholar-practitioners
Nutrition Option Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Keene State College Health Science/Nutrition option to provide a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive, evolving program to prepare and empower individuals to pursue a career and/or further studies in the field of nutrition and dietetics. The program will provide a focus in all areas of applied nutrition throughout the lifespan including clinical, community nutrition and health promotion, and foodservice management using didactic and experiential strategies.
Upon graduation, the student will demonstrate:
1. a strong foundation in the scientific theory of nutrition.
2. knowledge and skills in food science, food preparation, food management, food composition, and the cultural aspects of food.
3. an ability to apply knowledge in nutrition to help prevent and treat disease in diverse populations & improve the wellness of people.
4. the credentials needed to enter American Dietetic Association accredited Dietetic Internships.
5. the ability to use self-assessment, critical thinking, and appropriate documentation when presented with new information in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
6. the necessary skills in research methods.
7. the ability to use technology to access information.
8. the ability to use technology to effectively communicate nutrition information.
9. an understanding of public policy and its relationship to nutrition and wellness
10. the knowledge and skills needed to continually engage in lifelong learning endeavors such as professional conferences and community service
C. See Appendix A for Option Goals and Outcome Measures (pages 12-13)
D. Accreditation
The Keene State College Health Science/Nutrition Option is currently granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.
Visit http://www.eatright.org.
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
312/899-0040 ext. 5400 or 800/877-1600 ext. 5400
III. Careers in Nutrition
A. Opportunities
Health, nutrition, and fitness have become a way of life. People want to feel good and look good. Eating right for a healthier lifestyle and learning about good nutrition are top priorities. These societal changes mean increased opportunities in the field.
The Nutrition Option prepares students for careers in nutrition. Career opportunities exist in a variety of settings including healthcare, education, foodservice management, the community and research. Keene State College graduates have been successful in a variety of professional environments.
B. Dietetics
The undergraduate program at Keene State College prepares students to enter the field of nutrition. It is the first step in becoming a registered dietitian (RD). The RD credential is the professional standard recognized by employers.
The Keene State College Health Science/Nutrition Option is currently granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995.
All students who have successfully completed the DPD program requirements as assessed by an academic audit through the Keene State College Registrar’s Office are entitled to an American Dietetic Association Verification Statement from the DPD Program Director. The DPD Program Director is responsible for verifying completion of requirements through the KSC “Academic Audit” and/or a copy of an “issued to student” transcript (all of which indicate that degree requirements have been met). The DPD Program Director will furnish at least 6 verification statements to each graduate. The DPD Program Director will keep an original signed verification statement for each issued. Verification statements are required before beginning a dietetic internship.
Upon completion of a dietetic internship, the final step in becoming an RD is to successfully pass the national registration exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
http://www.eatright.org/becomeanrd.html
C. The American Dietetic Association
The American Dietetic Association is the professional organization for registered dietitians. As a nutrition student, you are eligible to become an affiliate member of the American Dietetic Association, which automatically makes you a member of the dietetic association in your home state. In addition, you will receive the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, a valuable resource of current nutrition information and research. You can also become a student member of the Society for Nutrition Education and receive the Journal of Nutrition Education. Membership application forms can be obtained from your program director.
Visit http://www.eatright.org/
D. Keene State College Dietetic Internship
Keene State’s dietetic internship is an innovative wellness-focused program. It provides a generalist dietetic experience while offering an individualized program and a flexible schedule. In addition to gaining clinical and management experiences, interns will also focus on providing health promotion and wellness education in the community.
Undergraduate Nutrition Option students are eligible to apply to the KSC dietetic internship during their final academic semester.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Balnis (603)358-2916 or kbalnis@keene.edu
IV. Undergraduate Preparation: Nutrition Option
A. Advising
All students interested in the Nutrition Option are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with nutrition faculty for academic and admission criteria advising. Please see Appendix B for admission criteria into the Health Science/Nutrition Option (pages 14-15). You should select a nutrition faculty advisor in your first year. You do not need to be accepted into the program to meet with a nutrition faculty member for advising.
The Nutrition Option is a very structured program, and it crucial that you meet regularly with nutrition faculty for advising. The curriculum has sequential coursework, and one missed course may require an extra year, summer or semester for completion of degree requirements. You should begin coursework for the major during your first year. It is especially important that incoming students enroll in Health Science: Wellness Trends and Issues (HLSC 101) and Chemistry: Fundamentals of Chemistry (INCHEM 103) during the fall semester and Biology: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 230) and Health Science: Nutrition & the Profession (HLSC 125) during the spring semester of their first year.
B. Coursework
Take your course work seriously, it relates directly to your future career in nutrition. The following is a suggested 4-year course sequence for full-time students. All students are encouraged to meet early and regularly with a Nutrition faculty member advisor to assist in planning a suitable course sequence.
Health Science Major
NUTRITION OPTION
2009-2010
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE
First Year
Fall Semester Spring Semester
PSYC 101: General Psychology 4 BIO 230: Human Anat. and Phys I 4
INCHEM 103: Fund of Chemistry** 4 IQL** 4
ITW** 4 HLSC 125: Nutrition & the Prof 4
HLSC 101: Health & Wellness 4 IHCOMM 171: Public Speaking** 4
16 16
Total Credit Hours 32
Second Year
Fall Semester Spring Semester
BIO 232: Human Anat. and Phys II 4 BIO 240: Cell & Microbial Biology 4
HLSC 285: Health in Society 4 HLSC 215: Nutrition Sci & App 4
HLSC 216: Current Top Food Culture 4 HLSC 310: Food Science 4
CHEM 220: Fund Organic Chemistry 4 ISP Course** 4 16 16
Total Credit Hours 32
Third Year
Fall Semester Spring Semester
HLSC 318: Lifecycle Nutr/Wellness 4 HLSC 313: Foodservice Mgt 4
HLSC 380: Addiction: Theo, Res, Prac 4 ISP Course** 4
ISP Course** 4 HLSC 385: Behavior Change Facilitation 4
ISP Course** 4 HLSC 365: Exercise Sci & App 2
ISP Course** 4
16 18
Total Credit Hours 34
Fourth Year
Fall Semester Spring Semester
HLSC 495: Health Science Seminar 4 HLSC 410: Experimental Foods 2
HLSC 473: Practicum Nutrition 4 HLSC 485: Health Promotion Practice 4
HLSC 415: Nutritional Biochem 4 ISP Course** 4
ISP Course** 4 HLSC 416: Medical Nutr Therapy 4 16 14
Total Credit Hours 30
TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS: 128
OVER BY: 4 CREDITS
(ISP COURSES + HLSC CORE + HLSC/Nutrition OPTION + ALLIED DISCIPLINES = 128 credits )
**Indicates Integrative Studies Program (ISP) courses
Practical Experience
The Health Science/Nutrition Option at Keene State College provides you with invaluable practical experience, which will enhance your in-class experience.
Practicum experience:
A 120-hour practical experience, under the supervision of a professional, is a requirement for your degree. In order to enroll in the HLSC 473 Practicum, you must complete the following prerequisite courses: HLSC 313 Foodservice Management/Lab, HLSC 318 Health & Wellness in the Lifecycle and/or HLSC 385 Behavior Change Facilitation. See your academic advisor for more information.
Liability for safety in travel to or from assigned areas
Liability for safety in travel to or from assigned areas for field-based class and lab experiences is the Nutrition Option student’s responsibility and not covered by Keene State College.
Injury or illness while in a facility for supervised practice
Liability for injury or illness while in a facility for field-based class and lab experiences is the Nutrition Option student’s responsibility and not covered by Keene State College.
Insurance requirements, including those for professional liability
Nutrition Option students are covered by a blanket professional liability insurance policy paid for by the University System of New Hampshire when participating in supervised field placement activities. The KSC Student Handbook specifies written policies and procedures about student health insurance.
C. Campus-based Organizations
Eta Sigma Gamma
All Health Science students with a minimum 3.4 grade point average are invited to join in the fall of their junior year. Eta Sigma Gamma, the national honorary for Health Education, has a rich history of serving students in the profession through teaching, service and research.
Keene State College Student Dietetic Association
All students studying nutrition and dietetics are strongly encouraged to join the Keene State College Student Dietetic Association (KSCSDA). The KSCSDA meets twice each month. Its purpose is to provide a framework for meaningful student involvement in the area of nutrition and to stimulate interest in the profession of dietetics and nutrition. The organization emphasizes the goals of education, service and peer connections. To become a member, a student must take the initiative to attend two meetings and then request membership. To maintain membership, you must attend four meetings and two activities per semester. Student members elect officers annually.
The President’s Commission for the Promotion of Wellness
The President’s Commission for the Promotion of Wellness advocates and promotes wellness on a holistic level. The Commission supports each individual in the KSC community in making healthy choices for mind, body and spirit. The Commission is responsible for providing opportunities and strategies that promote the well-being of faculty, staff and students by coordinating programs and initiatives with the Wellness Program of USNH and by the development, planning, execution and evaluation of local health initiatives.
Organization of Wellness Leaders
All students from the KSC community are eligible to join the Organization of Wellness Leaders (OWLs). The purpose of OWLs is to support and assist in the development of health promotion and wellness programs on campus. The OWLs’s goal is to increase awareness of the importance of developing and maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health among students, faculty and staff. All officers must attend every meeting in order to maintain good standing in the chapter.
Healthy Readers Book Club
All students with an interest in health and wellness are encouraged to join the Healthy Readers Book Club (HRBC). The HRBC meets twice monthly. Its purpose is to provide a comfortable, interactive environment in which to discuss and review pertinent health and wellness related articles and books. Meeting time and location is determined at the start of each semester based on the schedules of the HRBC’s members. Student members elect officers annually.
Appendix A
Option Goals and Outcome Measures
a. The option will prepare graduates to meet the knowledge, skill, and competency levels as defined by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) for Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD).
i. By May of 2008, 85% of NO students who declare their major as Health Science/Nutrition will complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
ii. By May 2008, the Nutrition Option faculty with Health Science Department will develop and implement a capstone assignment for the HLSC 495 Health Science Seminar. Upon completion of the assignment, 85% of Nutrition Option students will demonstrate the following based on a capstone assignment evaluation tool:
-the ability to conduct research
-effective oral communication
-effective writing
-an understanding of social and political systems
-an ability to use technology to access and deliver information
-the ability to synthesize health & wellness information
iii. By May of 2008, 85% of alumni will be employed, accepted into a Dietetic Internship (DI), and/or accepted into graduate school.
iv. By May of 2008, alumni who complete a dietetic internship will achieve a pass rate of 80% or higher on the RD exam.
b. a. The option will seek to establish a stable, tenure-track DPD faculty.
b. The option will support new faculty development in completion of degree requirements and achievement of Assistant Professor status and tenure.
i. Beginning in the 2002-2003 academic year, new NO faculty will make ongoing progress toward promotion from Instructor to Assistant Professor and tenure over the six-year period defined by the faculty contract.
c. Faculty will identify the extent to which individual nutrition option (NO) courses contribute to the achievement of student learning outcomes.
i. All 100 level NO courses will contribute to student learning outcomes 5, 6, 7, 9.
ii. All 200 level NO courses will contribute to student learning outcomes 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
iii. All 300 level NO courses will contribute to student learning outcomes 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
iv. All 400 level NO courses will contribute to student learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 ,7, 8, 9.
v. Students and alumni will indicate their satisfaction that courses and assignments effectively prepared them for careers.
d. The option will develop enrollment management strategies to achieve an annual graduation level of 12 to 18 students.
i. Nutrition option faculty will follow the recruitment plan developed in the fall of 2002 and document efforts to increase participation in the DPD program.
ii. Use HLSC 115 in recruiting students into the Nutrition Option.
iii. Maintain Nutrition Option Handbook.
iv. Faculty share advising and mentoring responsibilities for the Student Dietetic Association.
e. The option will seek strategies using a foundation of support, mentoring, and encouragement by program faculty to maintain/increase student participation in non-class related professional development opportunities such as the Student Dietetic Association, Academic Excellence Conference, Undergraduate Research Grant Program, Summer Internship and Practicums, Health Readers Book Club, and Americorps programs.
i. Undergraduate student application for and participation in non-class related professional development opportunities will be maintained or increased from 2000-2002 levels for: a. Americorps volunteers (3 to 5 students); b. Academic Excellence Conference Presentations (7 to 8 students); c. Undergraduate Research Grant Proposals/Projects (1+ students); d. Healthy Readers Book Club (5 students); e. Summer Internship and Practicum Programs (1 to 6 students); f. Student Dietetic Association Active Membership (10 to 25 students).
Appendix B
Admission Criteria
Students must have an overall GPA of 2.8 and a GPA of 2.8 in all Health Science Nutrition Option required courses. Application for permanent admission to the option is typically completed at the end of the student’s first year. After completion of the following courses with an average of “B” or higher, students interested in pursuing the Nutrition Option must submit an application for permanent admission to the Health Science Nutrition Option:
HLSC 101: Health and Wellness
HLSC 125: Nutrition and the Profession
INCHEM 103: Fundamentals of Chemistry
For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses may be considered if approved by the Admissions Committee.
Application Process
The application process for admission to the Nutrition Option occurs just after grades are finalized in the spring semester. The following steps should be followed by all students interested in applying to the Nutrition Option:
1. Arrange an appointment with an advisor in the Nutrition Option and complete a Declaration of Major form that is then submitted to the Registrar’s office.
2. Complete the following introductory courses required before the “official” application for permanent admission to the Nutrition Option will be considered: HLSC 101: Health and Wellness; HLSC 125: Nutrition & the Profession; INCHEM 103: Fundamentals of Chemistry. An overall GPA of 2.8, and GPA of 2.8 in all Nutrition Option required courses, and an average grade of “B” or better in those courses previously listed are required for application submission.
3. If the above criteria are met, applications can be officially submitted for permanent admission to the option. Applications should be submitted to the Nutrition Option program director immediately upon completion of the spring semester. Applications need to be postmarked by one week following the last day of final exams in the spring semester. Enrollment in additional Health Science/Nutrition Option major courses will not be allowed if application has not been made.
The review of applications and notification of the results of this review will be made in writing before the start of the fall semester. Students who have met the application criteria will be considered admitted to the option. The overall GPA of these students will then be monitored by their Nutrition Option advisor to assure that it remains at the 2.8 or higher level.
Students who are not admitted into the Nutrition Option or do not submit application materials to the Option by due dates will be deregistered from HLSC 215 and/or HLSC 216. These students will be able to adjust their schedule using the online registration process at least 1 week prior to the start of classes. If a student is not permanently accepted into the Nutrition Option they should complete the following steps:
1) If the student desires to continue to pursue the option, schedule a consultation with her/his Nutrition Option advisor. During this conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency, which need to be addressed.
2) If the student does not desire to continue to pursue the Nutrition Option, complete a new “Declaration of Major” form removing them from the Nutrition Option. If the student does not complete this step, their advisor will notify the Registrar’s office to change their major to “undeclared”.
3) If interested and if deficiencies are addressed, the student can reapply one time at the conclusion of the following fall semester.