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.