Nov 27, 2024

2012-2013 General Catalog (Spring 2013)

2012-2013 General Catalog (Spring 2013) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Dietetics Administration - MDA

College of Agriculture

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences

The MDA degree is a professional degree designed to provide dietitians with in-depth training in management and leadership in food and nutrition program administration. Nationwide, there is a need for professionally trained managers at local, district, state, and federal levels in food and nutrition programs, including school, university, and hospital food services; public health programs; and clinical management. This program provides in-depth training in financial management, human resource management, marketing, and dietetics-specific management.

MDA Admission Requirements

Candidates for the MDA program must qualify for one of the following categories: Option 1: Must have completed the USU Distance Dietetics Internship; or Option 2: Must be currently registered as dietitian with at least two years of work experience. Students seeking entry must also satisfy: (1) admission requirements of the USU School of Graduate Studies; (2) admission requirements of the NDFS Department; and (3) admission requirements of the MDA program, including a letter of application and an approved Program of Study.

The MDA Advisory Committee is responsible for reviewing applications, accepting students into the MDA program, and assigning students to an advisor.

MDA Program of Study

Option 1

Option 1 is tailored for applicants who have completed the USU Distance Dietetics Internship. There are two tracks of study for students choosing Option 1.

Track 1

Track 1 is a Plan B thesis project. Students must complete a minimum of 41 credits and a Plan B thesis. The completed USU Distance Dietetics Internship provides 26 of the 41 credits. Students completing this track will need to attend a thesis defense meeting held at the USU Logan Campus.

Following the internship, 15 additional credits are required including:

NDFS 6770 - Advanced Management in Dietetics I 3
NDFS 6780 - Advanced Management in Dietetics II 3
NDFS 6970 - Thesis Research 1-12 (2 credits required)
NDFS 7800 - Seminar 1
Quantitative/Research Elective 3
Skills Enhancement Elective 3

Track 2

Track 2 is a Plan C program comprised of 18 credits of coursework. Students choosing this track should be employed in the dietetics field during the program. Students will complete the coursework in three semesters beginning Fall semester of each year. Plan C does not require travel to the Logan campus.

The coursework is as follows:

Option 2

Option 2 is tailored to the registered dietitian with at least two years of work experience. A minimum of 30 credits is required for this Plan B option. Students must complete 18 credits from the NDFS Department and a minimum of 6 credits each in two of the three related disciplines. These disciplines include overall management, financial management, and human resource management. Coursework will be based on the student’s career goals and competencies.

The following courses are required:

NDFS 4750 - Management of Dietetics 3
NDFS 5200 - Nutritional Epidemiology 2
NDFS 5210 - Advanced Public Health Nutrition (CI) 2
NDFS 5510 - Food Laws and Regulations 2
NDFS 6750 - Advanced Dietetics Practicum 1-6
NDFS 6780 - Advanced Management in Dietetics II 3
NDFS 6900 - Special Problems 1-4 (3 credits required)
NDFS 6970 - Thesis Research 1-12 (2 credits required)
NDFS 7800 - Seminar 1
The remaining courses must be at least 5000 level and will be determined by the MDA candidate and teh Advisory Committee