
Department of Nutritional Sciences:
CLINICAL EDUCATION

Clinical education, also called supervised
practice, is the application of the knowledge that students
learn in the classroom. Clinical is a term that is used
to refer to an application setting and does not necessarily
mean a hospital or clinic. For example, clinical rotations
occur in food and nutrition services management and in
community settings.
The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education
has established a minimum of 900 hours of clinical education
be completed by a student before graduating from a coordinated
program or dietetic internship. Only after the 900 hours
have been documented and verified by a program director
of an accredited program, can the graduate take the national
exam to become a registered dietitian.
The Nutritional
Sciences Department utilizes clinical sites throughout
the state of Oklahoma. Our volunteer
dietitians, called preceptors, work with students in
the practice setting. Students are evaluated on their
ability to apply knowledge and improve their skills while
in the practice setting. The Commission on Accreditation
for Dietetic Education has established competencies students
must meet during their clinical education. These competencies
can be found at http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/2002rdfksc.pdf
Questions about clinical education can be directed to
the appropriate program director.