Nutrition Department
Dietetic Internship Program:
Impact of Learning
Academic assessment at Benedictine University is driven by the
mission of the university. The process is led by
University common learning objectives.
The program learning objectives are aligned with these common learning objectives;
each academic program demonstrates alignment using a Program Assessment Matrix tool.
As part of this Matrix, the Dietetic Internship program identifies the
key program outcomes, or what the students should be able to represent, demonstrate or produce as a result of their
learning in the program/department.
Course outcomes have been designed to meet the specific knowledge and skills competencies outlined by the Commission on
Accreditation for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association. These knowledge and skill competencies are aligned with program
objectives, and listed in rotation packets. The Dietetic Internship program is a concentration in the M.S. in Nutrition and Wellness program.
Based on program priorities, a five-year timeframe for assessment of all key learning outcomes for the program is planned.
At least two to four benchmarks are prioritized
and tracked as part of the University annual program assessment improvement plan.
As part of the practice of effective teaching to foster and improve learning, all faculty are encouraged to engage in assessment
of their own courses. There are numerous ways to
measure course improvements.
Since the Dietetic Internship rotation outcomes and courses in the concentration directly contribute to
meeting Dietetic Internship program objectives (i.e., they are aligned), Course Learning Impact Reports are one type of
report to document the direct and indirect evidence associated with meeting program
objectives.
Beginning 2007, all faculty in the Nutrition Department will be encouraged to develop Course Impact Reports to document improvement efforts.
Dietetic interns are evaluated frequently throughout the internship program. For more details about the evaluation policies and program completion requirements, visit:
http://www.ben.edu/nutrition/dievaluation.html.
Numerous measures can be employed to assist in this process, producing direct and indirect
"evidence" of learning. Our program employs mutiple assessment measures to examine
student learning in the dietetic internship program, including portfolio, authentic case studies, projects, and tests.
We use project descriptions, criterion grade sheets, and/or rubrics as
tools to assess learning throughout the program. Example rubrics include:
Evaluations of interns by supervisors and self, and evaluation of rotations by interns are regularly conducted. For more information,
click on the "Nutrition Preceptors" link on the left or: http://www.ben.edu/nutrition/preceptors.html.
An evaluation is sent to the employer of our graduates following program completion:
The program Director also tracks enrollment trends, conducts student surveys, collaborates in the collection of alumni surveys, and
examines the pass rate of the RD exam:
Data collection and analysis is ongoing.
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