INTRODUCTION



Welcome to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Central Arkansas! My name is Mary Harlan, and I am chairperson of the department. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to introduce you to our program.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences is offered with three options. The student may select a specialization in dietetics/nutrition, interior design or general family and consumer sciences. Certification for teaching family and consumer sciences in secondary schools is earned with the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree. The Bachelor of Science dietetics option meets the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) academic requirements and is approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

The dietetic internship, a post-baccalaureate dietetic/nutrition practice and study program approved by the ADA is also available for the dietetic major. The internship program meets the performance requirements for eligibility to write the ADA registration exam to become a registered dietitian.

Additionally, the Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, established in 1989, has three specialization tracks including Nutrition and Foods, Clothing, Textiles and Fashion, and General Family and Consumer Sciences. Thesis or non-thesis options are available for any of the specialization tracks.

The department is located in McAlister Hall. The main office in room 100. We may be reached by telephone at (501) 450-5950. Specifics about the dietetics/nutrition program follow in this presentation. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

MARYH@MAIL.UCA.EDU

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD


Dietetic professionals work as members of the medical team treating persons with illnesses or injuries by providing therapeutic nutrition services. Dietitians are trained in applying the principles of nutrition and food science to the individuals' health and fitness. Nutrition, health, and fitness have become a way of life. Eating right to live better and learning about good nutrition are top priorities and people are eager to learn even more. These changes mean increased opportunities in the field of dietetics. Dietetics is a vital, growing field open to creativity and opportunity and the possibilities are endless. Dietitians offer preventative and therapeutic nutrition services in a variety of settings.

HISTORY OF THE FIELD


The American Dietetic Association (ADA) was established in 1917. In 1924, the minimum specifications for courses for student dietitians was introduced. Throughout the decades, revisions in academic requirements have been updated. In 1974, the ADA was first recognized by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, now USDE, as the accrediting agency for dietetic internships. ADA currently has a membership of more than 65,000 of whom approximately 75 percent are registered dietitians (RDs). The membership also includes dietetic technicians (DTRs) and others holding advanced degrees in nutrition and dietetics.

DEGREE OPTIONS


The University of Central Arkansas offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Dietetics, a post-baccalaureate dietetic internship and a Master of Science degree with a specialization track in Nutrition and Foods. The BS degree requires a minimum of 124 hours. The dietetics option meets the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and is approved by the American Dietetic Association. When students successfully complete the academic requirements (DPD) and experience component, dietetic internship or preprofessional practice program (AP4), they are eligible to write the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The individual who is successful on the examination is a registered dietitian and entitled to use the initials "R.D." to signify professional competence. Many states including Arkansas also require a license to practice dietetics in the state. The curriculum leading to the Master of Science requires approximately 30 hours (thesis option) or 36 hours (non-thesis option) of professional course work. All students admitted to the dietetic internship must be enrolled concurrently in the graduate program.

GENERAL SALARY RANGES


Research indicates the job market is excellent for dietitians. According to the 1993 membership database of the American Dietetic Association, beginning salaries range for registered dietitians from $25,000 to $45,000. Salary levels may vary with geographical location, scope of responsibility and supply of applicants.

PRACTICE AREAS


A dietitian is a highly-qualified professional, recognized as an expert on food and nutrition. Dietetic professionals may be found in a variety of settings:

CLINICAL DIETITIANS are a vital part of the medical team in hospitals, nursing homes, health maintenance organizations, and other healthcare facilities. They work with doctors, nurses and therapists to help speed patients' recovery and lay the groundwork for long-term health. Opportunities for advancement are available by choosing a particular area of nutrition, such as diabetes, heart or pediatrics.

MANAGEMENT DIETITIANS work in healthcare institutions, schools, cafeterias, and restaurants. They are responsible for personnel management, menu planning, budgeting, and purchasing. With more and more Americans recognizing the importance of good nutrition, management dietitians increasingly play a key role wherever food is served.

COMMUNITY DIETITIANS work in public and home health agencies, day care centers, health and recreation clubs, and in government-funded programs that feed and counsel families, the elderly, pregnant women, children and disabled or underprivileged individuals. Wherever proper nutrition can help improve quality of life, they reach out to the public to teach, monitor and advise.

DIETITIANS IN EDUCATION work in colleges, universities, and community or technical schools, teaching future doctors, nurses, dietitians, and dietetic technicians the sophisticated science of foods and nutrition. Many say they enjoy their role as mentors who bring qualified students into the exciting field of dietetics.

RESEARCH DIETITIANS work in government agencies, food and pharmaceutical companies, and in major universities and medical centers. They conduct or direct experiments to answer critical nutrition questions, and find alternative foods or dietary recommendations for the public.

BUSINESS DIETITIANS work in food and nutrition related industries. They work in product development, sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, purchasing, and in many other capacities that enable companies to satisfy consumers' growing interest in nutrition.

CONSULTANT DIETITIANS work full or part-time, usually under contract with a healthcare facility or in their own private practice. Consultant dietitians in private practice perform nutrition screening and assessment of their own clients and those referred to them by a physician. They offer advice on weight loss, cholesterol reduction and a variety of other diet-related concerns. Those under contract with healthcare facilities often consult with food service managers, providing expertise on sanitation and safety procedures, budgeting and portion control. Other clients include athletes, company employees and nursing home residents.

DIETETIC TECHNICIANS work in a number of different settings, such as hospitals, public health nutrition programs, and long-term care facilities, under the direction of registered dietitians. Technicians also work in child nutrition and school lunch programs, community wellness centers, health clubs, nutrition programs for the elderly, food companies and in food service management settings. Their responsibilities are as varied as the settings in which they work. A dietetic technician may screen patients to identify nutrition problems. Technicians often provide patient education and counseling to individuals or groups, develop menus and recipes, supervise food-service personnel, purchase food, and monitor inventory. Computer skills are a plus for dietetic technicians who use computers for everything from inventory and payroll, to charting patients' nutritional progress.

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP


The Dietetic Internship is a supervised dietetic practice and study program approved by the American Dietetics Association. The Dietetic Internship meets performance requirements for eligibility to write the ADA registration exam to become a registered dietitian. The Dietetic Internship is to be completed in two summers. Summer I includes eleven weeks of instruction in community nutrition and administrative dietetics. Summer II includes twelve weeks in therapeutic nutrition. Practice sites include various health care facilities in Arkansas.

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Baccalaureate Degree

2. Statement of certification regarding completion of American Dietetic Association approved Plan V or Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).

3. Official transcript(s) of course work from all colleges and universities attended.

4. Minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).

5. Work experience in a nutrition related area.

6. Completed dietetic internship application including letter of application and three references postmarked by February 15.

Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences


The graduate program in Family and Consumer Sciences leads to the Master of Science Degree. The program is designed to serve the needs of qualified students preparing for Family and Consumer Sciences careers in business, education, hospitals, industry, government, community agencies, and for entering a doctoral program in Family and Consumer Sciences or in a related discipline.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the M.S. degree in Family and Consumer Sciences requires the student to have a baccalaureate degree in Family and Consumer Sciences or an allied health area and meet entrance requirements for graduate school.

Specific Degree Requirements

For the M.S. degree, the student must fulfill one of the following options:

I. THESIS OPTION - (30 hours to include thesis)
A.Core Requirements (9 hours)
FACS 6300 - Current Issues in Family and Consumer Sciences
ADSE 6380 - Research Methods
ADSE 6382 - Educational Statistics (or substitute statistics course approved by Department Chair)

B.Thesis Research (6 hours)
FACS 6344 - Thesis Research I
FACS 6345 - Thesis Research II (The procedures for selecting and writing a thesis will be the same as prescribed in the current Graduate Bulletin.)

C.Specialization Track (12 hours) - Nutrition and Foods

D.Elective (3 hours) - Electives in an allied area approved by major advisor.

II. NON-THESIS OPTION (36 hours)
A.Core Requirements (9 hours) - Same as for thesis option

B.Specialization Track (15 - 18 hours) - Nutrition and Foods

C.Elective (9 - 12 hours) - Electives in an allied area approved by major advisor.

III.Three options are available, however, only the Nutrition and Foods specialization is shown below.

Nutrition and Foods (12 hours with thesis, 15 - 18 hours without thesis)

*FACS 5315 - Nutrition Services Practicum I
*FACS 5316 - Nutrition Services Practicum II
*FACS 5317 - Community Nutrition Practicum
*FACS 5318 - Clinical Nutrition Practicum
FACS 5321 - Nutritional Services Administration
*FACS 5324 - Nutritional Assessment
FACS 5330 - Special Topics
FACS 5375 - Nutrition in Exercise & Sport
FACS 6307 - Current Findings in Foods
FACS 6308 - Trends in Nutrition
FACS 6309 - Consumer Economics
FACS 6313 - Diet Therapy
FACS 6320 - Directed Study
*(These courses are included in the Dietetic Internship program)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE:

1. M.S. Thesis Option
After the thesis has been read and approved, and before the candidate is recommended to the Dean of the Graduate School for graduation, the candidate will meet with the Thesis Committee for an oral examination, which will consist principally of a defense of the thesis. A majority of the student's committee must approve the thesis and its defense. If approval is denied, the candidate will not be recommended for graduation. In this event, the student may be re-examined at a later period, no sooner than two months after initial examination.

2. M.S. Non-Thesis Option
The student will be required to pass a written and oral comprehensive examination. The examination will be administered each Spring semester and during the first Summer session each year. To be eligible to take the examination, the student must be within six (6) hours or less, of completing degree requirements upon completion of semester in which the comprehensive examination is scheduled.

For additional information on dietetics/nutrition, contact:

The American Dietetic Association
216 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
1-800-877-1600

For specific information about application or program advising, contact:

Dietetic Advisor
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
University of Central Arkansas
201 Donaghey, McAlister Hall 100
(501) 450-5950

DIETETICS 1995-96
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES


GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

University Requirements (16 hrs)
____ English 1310 **
____ English 1320 **
____ Math 1360/1390
____ History 2301 OR 2302 OR * Pol Sci 1330
____ Health Ed 2200
____ KPED 1291 Prin Life Fitness OR 2 one-hr KPED Activity courses
____ KPED Act ____ KPED Act

Core Courses (9 hrs)
____ History 1310
____ History 1320
____ English 2305 OR 2306

Humanities Electives (6 hrs)
____ Art 3300 OR Music 3330
Select 3 hrs from:
____ English 2305/06/60/70/80/90
____ Flan 2315
____ Germ 1305
____ Phil 1301/10/20/ OR 2325

Social Sciences Electives (6 hrs)
____ Psy 1300
____ Soc 1300

Sciences (12 hrs)
____ Biol 1400 OR 1410
____ Chem 1402
____ Chem 1403 OR Chem 2440
NOTES:
* Pol Science 1330 cannot be used to satisfy both Univ. & Social Sciences requirements.
** English 1310, 1320 taken consecutive semesters.

DIETETICS/FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES (44 hrs)

____ FACS 1300 Nut in Life Cycle
____ FACS 2310 Food Science
____ FACS 2311 Meal Management
____ FACS 2320 Child Dev I
____ FACS 2351 Family Relations
____ FACS 3250 Community Nutrition
____ FACS 3311 Resource Management
____ FACS 3351 Exper Food Science
____ FACS 3370 Advanced Nutrition
____ FACS 3372 Consumer Education
____ FACS 3380 Food Economics
____ FACS 4301 Research in FACS

SPECIAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (24hrs)
____ FACS 4321 Nut Ser Admin
____ FACS 4325 Med Nutrition Therapy
____ FACS 4374 Nutrition in Disease
____ ADSE 3456 Methods
____ Biol 2405 Hum Ana & Phys
____ Biol 2411 Microbiology
____ Chem 3300 Biochemistry
____ KPED 2395 OR BMED 4325 Comp Appl
____ Mgmt 2341 Supervisory Man
____ Psyc 2330 OR Soc 2321 Stat

*** RECOMMENDED UPPER DIVISION ELECTIVES (6 hrs)
____ FACS 4315 Sports Nutrition
____ KPED 4300 Exercise Physiology

NO MINOR REQUIRED NOTES:
1. A total of 40 upper division credit hours (3000 & 4000 level) must be earned after the student has earned 45 semester hours.
*** A minimum of 124 semester credit hours is required for the Bachelor of Science Degree.