Program Goals/Outcomes Measures

These program goals reflect what the VAGLAHS Dietetic Internship program will accomplish. The outcomes that we measure for each program goal provide information on where we have been successful as a program and where we need to make changes to achieve success.  These outcome measures are evaluated annually and serve as the basis for continuously improving our program.

1. The program will prepare all interns to graduate with dietetic skills that are at least entry level and the majority will graduate with dietetic skills above entry-level.

1. Graduated interns will rate entry-level skills at the time of employment in 100% of each skill categories (general, clinical/community, administrative) by average rating of between 3.0 - 3.5 (entry level skills) on one-year post-graduation surveys.
2. Graduated interns will rate above entry-level ratings skills at the time of employment in at least 50% of each skill category (general, clinical/community, administrative) by average rating >3.5 on one-year post-graduation surveys.
3. Employers of graduated interns will rate graduates as having entry-level skills in 100% of each skill category (general, clinical/community, administrative) by average rating of 3.0 - 3.5 on one-year post-graduation employer surveys.
4. Employers of graduated interns will rate graduates as having above entry-level skills in at least 50% of each skill category (general, clinical/community, administrative) by average ratings >3.5 on one-year post-graduation employer surveys.

2. The program will enable graduates to function as a valuable member of the interdisciplinary health care team in clinical, community, and management dietetics.

1.  90% of the graduates (based on a 3-year average) must respond that they have acquired the skills to be a valuable member of the interdisciplinary health care team on one-year post-graduation  surveys.

2. 90% of employers (based on a 3-year average) must respond that graduated interns are valuable members of the interdisciplinary health care team on one-year post-graduation employer surveys.

3. The program will prepare interns to successfully complete the registration examination, and complete the Master Program for those in the Combined VA Dietetic Internship Program.

1. 90% of the graduates (based on a 3 year average) are able to successfully complete the registration examination on first attempt..

2. 90% of interns admitted into the internship program are able to successfully complete the program (based on a 3 year average).

3. 90% of the combined program graduates (based on a 3 year average) are able to successfully complete the master program.

4. 90% of graduates will be able to obtain dietetics related work within 6 months of graduation.

4. The program will promote graduates to become actively involved in a professional organization within three years of completing the program.

1. 75% of graduates will report being a member of a professional organization (based on a three year average) within three years of completing the program.
2. 50% of graduates will report being actively involved in a professional organization within three years of completing the program.

5. The program will provide the most effective learning environment for students.

1. 80% of faculty at the sponsoring institution will achieve an average rating of 3.5 or above in all categories on the annual summary report (on a 5 point scale).

2. 80% of all the classes at the sponsoring institution given by the dietetic faculty will be rated 3.5 or above in all categories (on a 5 point scale).

3. 90% (based on a 3-year average) of graduates will respond positively that the DI program provided the flexibility and support  needed to gain skills and experience in additional areas of interest.

Annual Program Evaluations can be distributed to interested individuals by contacting the internship director.