Mission Statement:

“The Coordinated Program utilizes the unique resources of the medical center to prepare graduates to become registered dietitians capable of meeting the demands of the changing health care system.  Having developed a strong knowledge base in clinical nutrition, graduates use food and nutrition information effectively in prevention and treatment of disease.  Individualized experiences facilitate students’ pursuit of their own career goals, be they in health care, in research and/or as a nutrition authority for the public.”

Goals of the Program:

1.  Admit academically qualified students and provide a supportive learning environment to optimize the number of students completing the program.

2.  Prepare graduates to be competent entry-level dietitians.

3.  Educate clinical dietitians to function in interdisciplinary teams to meet the demands of the health care community in Texas, including the needs for acute care, ambulatory care and preventative medicine.

4.  Graduate dietitians prepared to care for the growing population in the state with specific needs - especially the geriatric population and diverse cultural groups.

5.  Provide an increasing base of registered dietitians to serve as the authority on food and nutrition information for the public through the mass media, classes and other nutrition information venues.

6.  Promote an appreciation for nutrition research as evidenced by increasing numbers of graduates who pursue graduate education, research-related careers, and outcomes-based research within dietetic practice.