Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
The dietetic internship at WVU Hospital is
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE),
the ADA’s accrediting agency for educational programs to become a RD or DTR.
Accreditation is necessary because dietetics is a unique profession of such
complexity and benefit to the health of the population that it requires a
defined educational process based on national standards. CADE is responsible for
setting the national standards for what dietetics students are taught, and for
evaluating, recognizing, and publishing a list of education programs that meet
these standards.
CADE accreditation is important to students
because:
 | The CADE educational standards are developed
and accepted by practicing dietetics and nutrition professionals nationwide. |
| It means that the programs will provide the
knowledge, skills and/or competencies you need for entry into the dietetics
profession. |
| Only graduates from an accredited/approved
academic program (DPD) are able to apply for accredited dietetic internships
(DI) leading to the RD examination. |
| Only graduates from an accredited DI or
Coordinated Program are able to take the RD exam. |
In short, CADE-accreditation signifies quality
education for your chosen profession.
(Information courtesy of American Dietetic
Association website: www.eatright.org)
Academic Requirements
The Commission for Dietetic
Registration establishes requirements for eligibility to take the entry-level
registration examinations for dietitians and dietetic technicians. Current
requirements include academic preparation, supervised practice, and confirmation
of academic and practice requirements by verification. These requirements are
periodically reviewed and are subject to change.
|
Academic Degree
 |
Minimum of a
Baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited
college/university or foreign equivalent. |
|
|
Current Minimum Academic
Requirements
|
Completion of a
Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE) accredited
Didactic Program in Dietetics. All Didactic Programs in Dietetics are
listed in the Directory of Dietetics Programs. December 31, 1999 is the
last postmark date for submitting registration eligibility applications
using Plan IV minimum academic |
|
Supervised Practice
Requirements
All dietetic education programs
accredited by CADE must be in the U.S. or its territories. Supervised practice
requirements stipulate completion of one of the Commission on Accreditation of
Dietetics Education accredited or approved pathways:
West Virginia University
Hospital provides:
|
Accredited Dietetic
Internship Program
|
Provides for the
achievement of performance requirements for entry-level dietitians
through a minimum of 900 hours of supervised practice. The program follows completion
of the Didactic Program in Dietetics and a Baccalaureate degree. |
|
(Information from the
Commission on Dietetic Registration website at
www.cdrnet.org)
| 
