POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Program Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2040
GRADE Unclassified
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Department Head, Biomedical Sciences.
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Program Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coordinates all aspects of the undergraduate program in dietetics and works closely with departments and faculty with courses and options in the program.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline is required. Must be eligible for a full-time appointment as tenure-track or clinical faculty at Missouri State University and be eligible for graduate faculty status at the University.
Registration and Licensure: Registered Dietitian credentials and licensure as a dietitian in the State of Missouri are required.
Experience: At least three years of post-credentialing experience as a registered dietitian is required. Experience in dietetics education including teaching dietetics courses, creating and revising curriculum, advising students, and/or mentoring student research is required. Familiarity and experience with online technologies is preferred.
Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills are required. Effective interpersonal skills and organizational skills are required. Expertise in curriculum and program development, analysis, and evaluation is required. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with University administrators, faculty, staff, and students is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assures that all Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accreditation standards, policies, and procedures are met.2. Administers the DPD by coordinating decisions regarding the admission and progress of undergraduate students in the program.
3. Directs public relations and recruitment efforts including chairing the DPD Program Advisory Council.
4. Supervises the professional and academic advisement of students.
5. Implements ongoing assessment procedures for the program as a whole including student learning outcomes and retention data.
6. Develops policies and procedures specific to the program that ensure fair, equitable, and considerate treatment of prospective and enrolled students and updates the Student Handbook annually.
7. Monitors satisfactory completion of the program requirements for all students including program records and files and provides eligible students with verification statements.
8. Manages grievances and complaints about the program received from students or others, including the disposition of the complaint and provides appropriate counseling as necessary.
9. Manages the DPD budget in coordination with the Department Head.
10. Routinely reviews curriculum to maintain compliance with ACEND standards and coordinates curricular actions for the program.
11. Communicates with dietetics faculty concerning program compliance with the ACEND Accreditation Standards.
12. Communicates with ACEND regarding program requirements, maintenance of program accreditation, and evaluation and submits all required reports or requests for major program changes to ACEND in a timely manner, including the initiation of the fee payment.
13. Reassigned time equivalent to three credit hours will be given fall and spring semesters for program administration duties including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation critical for program effectiveness; summer duties will include necessary administrative duties of the program.
14. Teaching duties in the fall and spring semesters will not exceed nine contact hours per semester and may include graduate and undergraduate courses.
15. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
16. Remains competent and current through maintaining RD/LD credentials, self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the supervisor.
17. Helps to ensure the success of the DPD Program by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Program Director, DPD is supervised by the Department Head of Biomedical Sciences.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
AUGUST 2014