Program Overview:

Drexel offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Foods which prepares students for a career in nutrition and dietetics. Graduates of the program are able to apply their teachings in nutrition and food science to the nutritional care of individuals and groups; including schools food service and community nutrition.  They may also excel in food and pharmaceutical industries.  The curriculum appears to be more heavily based in biology and chemistry in comparison to individualized patient care.

A particular program offered at Drexel Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) offers classroom training for students who want to become Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists (RD/RDN).

Program Highlights:

• Offers students an academic background in clinical, community, and administrative dietetics to follow the didactic requirements of the American Dietetic Association to become Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists (RD/RDN).
• Students complete coursework in medical nutritional therapy, community nutrition, foodservice management, and food science.
• Once graduated students may further their studies in this growing field-becoming involved in areas such as; biochemical nature of nutrients and foods for more research-minded students.
• Strong network of professional experiential learning opportunities; including co-op and research involvement.
• As a part of Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions program you have access to various practice environments and facilities.
• Graduates of the program who do not receive dietetic internships match are eligible to apply for Drexel’s Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) to fulfill their supervised practice requirement.
• In order to find a successful dietetic internship in their senior year students are guided to complete the following; keep a GPA of 3.0 and above, participate in activities and demonstrate leadership, work several hundred hours in dietetics related work and volunteer experience (especially in food and nutrition departments at hospitals and nursing homes, additionally community programs like WIC)
• ACEND: Approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. www.eatright.org/ACEND/
• Graduates of Drexel’s BS in Nutrition and Foods have a high placement rate in dietetic internships with 89% placed. The national rate is 51%.

Program Lowlights:

• Students are encouraged to gain paid or volunteer experience in healthcare facilities, community nutrition programs or food service institution, but Drexel’s program does not encompass or place students.
• Must find your own internship or co-op in order to receive the required hours to become an RD/RDN.

Takeaway:

Drexel is a well-respected school with dynamic health programs and exceptionally high positive outcomes and placements. It is clear that my education will take precedence and I will be prepared on a scientific and medicine based level.  I am concerned about the approach to placing students in an internship or co-op in their senior year, as well as getting placed in a job after graduation.  Overall, however, I find the program to be highly regarded and with work and determination an education at Drexel for my RD/RDN would be purely beneficial.